The Problem with Youth Training

"Our culture is based on the gratification system - we strive to see results now even if the act of trying to create results in the short-term proves to be contradictory to the science of motor development and blatantly less beneficial than a more holistic and long-term approach." Brian Grasso

Did you know that there are over 40 million young athletes participating in organized sports annually in the United States? Over 3.5 million sport-related injuries are reported every year.

During the last five years, I have been involved in the training of young athletes at the high school level. Prior to working at the high school level, I spent time in the college and pro ranks, working with some of the best athletes in the world. So I have had the opportunity to see first hand the progression in development from the youngest level to the most elite.

My thoughts on the development of youth athletic population has had to mature as I have spent more time working with young athletes. What I have notice through my work with athletes is that the younger the athlete learns skill and movement aptitude the more capable and injury-resistant he will be on the field. That you must teach how to execute the finer points of movement and allow them to improve systematically over time while being patient and focused in the long-term benefits to the athletes. I have seen coaches and trainers sacrifice long-term improvement for quick success and immediate on-field results.

This morning I was talking to my good friend Tim Maxey, strength and conditioning coach of the Cleveland Indians about the development of young baseball players around the country. What we see is the shortsighted approach to developing young athletes that is hurting their chances to develop the proper body awareness, balance, relative strength and proper movement technique that is essential in the development long-term systematic programs.

So lets take a step back, try to avoid falling into the lets win now mentality, allow our young athletes the opportunity to develop in slow incremental steps that are envisioned in a hollistic and long-term approach.