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Last Friday an athlete I train pulled 500 on the trap bar. He is a 15 yr old high school Football player & LAX player. He was fired up that day and he said he wanted to go for it. On days when someone is ready emotionally AND physically to go hard, you Go for it. As long as the timing is right and safe, you go for it.
In this Video I explain some context behind why I program the way I do for MOST athletes. Again, it depends on many factors and I never paint a broad brush, because times and circumstances change.
Every program is flawed. I remember Buddy Morris telling me that around 2003 or so. And then, we have external factors that are also flawed. How does the athlete eat? Sleep? Social Circles? Mindset? Genetics?
At the high school level, you are also the "other coach" where the athlete is training with mandatory lifts with his / her high school coach. Maybe their sport coach has them doing all circuit training for no specific reason.
So, that being said, with all the flaws, your job as a Coach is to do the best you can with what you have. Train optimally, not maximally. And, find a way to to individualize the assistance / conditioning work while in a group.
After the main lifts with my athletes and even with the main lifts, I make adjustments. Some athletes are back squatting. One athlete might trap bar deadlift. Middle school athletes might front squat or goblet squat.
OK. Learning time, here we go.
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Pre covid times, my high school strength & conditioning groups on average had 45 athletes. There were times I had 75 athletes in the weight room. Yep. Sounds crazy (it is!), but organization is HUGE and the groups went GREAT. I turn everyone into a Coach. Listen HERE to my STRONG Life Podcast with Paul Kolody on training large groups.
I break it down in this Video so get your learn on.
For those who want to take their knowledge to the next level, resources are below:
Underground Strength & Sports Performance Course
