Training Youth Athletes (Pre - Puberty)

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Comment by John Janecek on October 11, 2011 at 1:07pm

School Email is jjanecek@lisd.org if you ever get out this way again, stop by. 

 

Comment by John Janecek on October 11, 2011 at 1:05pm

Not sure about the conference but you never know?  Contact Lon Kilgore at Midwestern State as I know he's done some things with youth and lifting.  Also go into Bigger Faster Stronger archives and look for something titled "124 Reasons Why Weight Training Is Safe for Young Athletes". This is a list of 124 books, chapters, and research articles-printed out its about nine pages.....By the end of 7th grade I always had kids cleaning atleast the 10's and a few with 25-45lb bumper on each side...By the end of 8th very few used the 10's except for maybe a warmup and several where in the 150-205 range... 

Comment by Monte Sparkman on October 10, 2011 at 12:46pm

John,

Great to hear from you.  I am utilizing much of what you are saying and we are staying very light focusing on technical mastery right now.  I agree that the technique must be present in order for our athletes to benefit the most from our training.  I have no doubt that you will get your guys going in the right direction.  I was in your area not too long ago.  The next time I am out that way, I'll be sure to look you up.  Do you know of any research supporting resistance training with younger athletes?  I understand the practical application side of what we are doing, just wondering if there is any supporting research out there.  Great to hear from you, keep in touch!! Will you be going to the NSCA Conference in San Antonio this year?

Comment by John Janecek on October 6, 2011 at 6:07pm

Monte,

I have talked to you about this before but I start them in 7th grade with the aluminum 15lb bars and the plastic 10s, by 9th grade they are kicking butt-did this foir seven years in HEB for kids feeding into Trinty HS!  Since I have been out here at my new strength coaching job I can tell you for a fact that it works well, the 9th graders here have very little technique and have had to start them with just the "this is how you hold a bar for the clean" drill-they are way behind....I have mats, light bars, and bumpers ready for my Middle schools here once football gets over, drill the technique in MS so they are good at it for HS, it makes a world of difference...I have alot of work to do here to catch up to what I had in place back in HEB but it will happen here too....

Comment by Denny Bonewitz on September 19, 2011 at 9:03am

We start young athletes on movement mechanics and focus on core strength and posture while moving through an exercise.  We call it our sticks and stones workout... literally using sticks (dowell rods) to perform basic lifts.  You can call me to discuss if you'd like.  I'm much faster on the phone than I am typing.

Best of luck

Denny

940.391.3711

Comment by Monte Sparkman on August 15, 2011 at 1:40pm

Thanks for your feedback Bruce!

Comment by Bruce E. DeWalt Jr. on August 14, 2011 at 9:23pm

We teach our middle school and 9th graders by having them shadowing us. You can also teach them by using the bar or PVC pipes. 

 

Bruce DeWalt CSSE; MAC; USAW; CPR/AED/First Aid
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Prattville High School
Prattville, AL
334-318-6822
  
 
“There's difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something you do it only when circumsatnce permits. When you're committed to something you accept NO excuses, only RESULTS.”

Comment by Monte Sparkman on August 12, 2011 at 2:34pm

Thanks for your input Matt!!

Comment by Matt Stock on August 12, 2011 at 11:46am

Hi Monte. There is now a fair amount of evidence to suggest that children can perform many of the same exercise programs as adults. Safety, very slow progression, and psychological maturity are of utmost importance. Kraemer and Fleck have written a book on this topic and Dr. Avery Faigenbaum has published many studies on this issue. Pubmed search "Faigenbaum AD" is a good start.