LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT WORKS!

Long Term Athlete Development isn't just in the gym. It is the daily application of movement that consciously and unconsciously helps kids learn how to move effectively and efficiently. This could be playing in the backyard, at the playground, going to a boutique, commercial, or specialty gym. Following a structured program is great, but early on, unstructured play is a great way to lay the foundation of primal, every day movement. Letting your child(ren) run, jump, climb, kneel, roll, squat, hinge, lunge, crawl, etc., in my opinion as a father and coach, will be far more beneficial for kids 10 and under than a weight room ever will be. 

 

I meet a lot of parents who have this exaggerated sense of fast forwarding their kids into training with a strength coach because, for some unknown reason, every parent has this insane idea that their kid is somehow light years behind every other kid in their sport. This is usually rooted in the fact that their kid is uncoordinated, maybe visually a little weaker, and sometimes overweight. The reality is most of these things are rooted in a lack of outside play. If you take your kid(s) to the park, the backyard, or the playground to play, you will remedy 90+% of the things that concern you with their development.

 

Additionally, you, as the parent, should be ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING. You SHOULD NOT be sitting on the sidelines the entire time. Lead by example. They get their understanding of what movement should be from those around them. So get up and move. Get MULTIPLE reps at this stage before you rush to a sports performance program. I promise you if you do it, you will see a faster progression from your child(ren) because the coach won't be spending the entire session working on playground movement fundamentals.

 

As a coach and dad (CoachDad), my job is to continue where you left off. I should be adding to the foundation you started and began the building process of structured weight training. To give a personal real life example: My son is currently in Muay Thai. He just started 2-months ago and it is going well. He actually has a great coach in Coach Mitch at Power Academy (https://poweracademyusa.com).

 

Prior to starting this or any sport, I have had my son doing all the different movements: running, jumping, climbing, kneeling, crawling, lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. We have even advanced to lifting weights. We started with kettlebells, dumbbells, medicine balls, resistance bands, and of course body weight exercises. we have recently graduated to barbell exercises that are age appropriate. We have also done some level of strike training. Now going into Muay Thai, his coach doesn't have to do all the basics. He can focus on the fundamentals of the sport. I know I am uniquely positioned as it is my profession to teach movement, but as parents, who are former kids (haha!), it is our duty to teach our kids. Teach through play or whatever method you choose, but TEACH. Do something every day to help your child(re) improve. It helps develops a mindset of consistency and helps you teach them how to make the hard stuff feel easy without having to give a speech. It gives you real examples you can point to on the days they want to give up. Long Term Athlete Development is more than the physical aspect. Get your kid who understands this.

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