Coaches Corner
Q: When is the right time to start my child/Athlete in a training program?
Answer:
This is probably the most frequently asked questions of our coaches on staff. My initial response is whenever the athlete is old enough to enter a structured sport team; he or she is old enough to enter a structured training program. The premise behind this philosophy is simple. I feel that if an athlete is mature enough to develop or be taught poor movement skills, he or she is certainly ready to be taught correct ones from a properly constructed and administered training program. It is much easier to teach correct movement techniques initially than to wait until incorrect patterns have been engrained and try to manipulate those techniques. Have you ever tried to get someone who has been playing golf for forty years to change their golf swing? If you have you see why it is crucial to start early.
I will caution you, however, to be selective of your coach. The problem I often see is coaches with limited knowledge of athletic development prescribing a one-size-fits-all program to their athletes. This is not only counterproductive, it is dangerous. I think back a few years ago when I was doing some consulting work for a high school. Is started the day by observing the middle school age and younger athletes, then the underclassmen (fr./so.) and finally the upperclassmen (jr./sr.). What I saw was astonishing! The young athletes were doing the exact same training program as the upperclassmen! One of two things had to be happening here, either the young athletes were being progressed much to quickly or the older athletes were so behind that they were on a middle school level, I think it goes without saying that the young athletes were in over their heads. By placing these young athletes in a program full of movements that were much too complex, this coach was simply placing load on top of dysfunction. As I stated before...dangerous!
We believe in placing athletes in an arena in which they can be successful and progress naturally, mastering the appropriate movement skills along the way. Find a coach you trust, inquire about credentials, and ask questions, because the quality of movement skills acquired at a young age can offer lasting athletic benefits.
Preston Petersen, CSCS, AFS
Genesis ADC Director
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