Compelled servant leadership
Simply put, “make it about others.” In our program, a daily underlying objective is to put our athletes in positions to lead themselves and others. We want our athletes to not only meet the daily program expectation, but to hold themselves to a high standard, and then bring others with them.
In order for an athlete to fully embrace this, he/she must also have the physical and intellectual confidence to lead. Character skills include stewardship, empathy, listening, conceptualization, awareness, commitment to the growth of others, and building of community.
Event + Response = Outcome (E+R=O)
Everyday, we are faced with both large and small “EVENTS” that require us to “RESPOND.” My job as an administrator is to better equip our student-athletes with the proven performance and moral skills to make great choices in their RESPONSE to these EVENTS.
Ultimately it is the athlete’s response that will determine the “OUTCOME.” Performance skills include being positive, accountable, resilient, confident, disciplined, motivated, focused, energetic, etc. Moral skills include being unselfish, humble, loyal, encouraging, socially aware, caring, appreciative, respectful, honest, etc.
Balanced and Efficient Movers Who Gain Body Armor
Our student-athletes are provided multiple movement screens each and every workout. These screens allow us to identify the “kinks in the hose” which leads to mitigation of potential injury. Our athletes will train top to bottom, bottom to top, front to back, side to side, etc., in order to increase both stability and mobility.
Progressions and regressions are critical to all athletes. Proficiency levels will drive movements and programming. In general our athletes will be prescribed but not limited to:
Multi-joint/ single joint movements (emphasis on squats, squat variations, cleans and clean variations)
Both vertical and horizontal push/pulls
Hip hinges
Load Carries
Multi planar stability/mobility
Lunges
Collaboration with Team Physicians, ATC’s, PT’s, and S&C staff regarding individual specific rehabilitation, asymmetry/muscular imbalances, & return to play protocol
Nutrition education & practical application (we will learn how to shop and choose for ourselves in addition to provided NCAA approved macros)
Monitor our daily wellness with emphasis on sleep duration/quality, mental/physical well being, nutrition. This is analyzed by daily RTT (Readiness To Train) and RPE (Rated Perceived Exertion) scores.
A training environment that is welcoming, but demands you and your teammates BEST! #WAT
1. Purposeful
Our athletes are not here to become weight lifters. They are here to become BETTER ATHLETES. However, every protocol, method and system of performance enhancement will be utilized in the sports performance program to improve the efficiency of the sport itself. Like athletics, our movements are:
Ground based
Three-dimensional
Multi-joint
Explosive lifting, plyometrics and throwing modalities will be used to develop the necessary speed and power required to succeed during such a highly intensive activity such as athletics. We utilize a quality vs. quantity approach. The ultimate success of our athletes is not determined by weight room or field numbers, but individual and team success. There is a purpose of why our sports performance program does things and it is our goal to help our athletes “connect the dots” between performance training and performance playing.
2. REDUCE/ MITIGATE
While it is our role to increase the overall performance of our athletes, we must make injury mitigation a priority by taking a scientific and practical approach to decreasing the risk of injury during training and competition. In order to keep players in the training facility and competitive arena, we must minimize the time lost due to injury by training all qualities of performance. Special attention is placed on:
Single leg and eccentric strength
Force absorption and transfer
Core stability
Joint mobility
Landing mechanics
Proprioception and body awareness
After all athletes have been properly screened and assessed, individualized programs are an integral part of targeting problem areas that could lead to injury. Through proper activation patterns and body positioning, we will be able to eliminate compensations before they become detrimental to an athlete's performance.
3. BALANCED
In order to prevent injuries, a comprehensive training program must be balanced in its approach to enhance performance. Major areas of the body must be trained during every training session. Emphasis is noted on (but not limited to) the following areas:
Lower posterior complex (explosive sports)
Upper posterior complex (overhead sports)
Single leg strength, stability and movement mechanics (female athletes and jumping sports)
Neck and surrounding support tissues (collision sports)
Muscles of the wrist, ankles and hands (throwing, gripping and catching sports)
Weaknesses, asymmetries and deficiencies found through the athlete screening process will dictate the primary needs for each athlete. The body's muscle groups and actions must be balanced for optimal efficiency.
4. ADAPTABLE
Sports Performance is not just a science, but also an art. The best coaches adjust and make the most of every opportunity placed before them. Sports performance coaches have the confidence and ability to modify any situation placed before them. Injuries, facilities, time allotment, and sport coach recommendations all play a significant role in how the performance program should be carried out. Our sports performance program utilizes all disciplines of strength and conditioning methods to improve sport performance, not just one.
5. PROGRESSIVE
To continue the climb towards sport enhancement, proper periodization of training sessions will ensure consistent improvements in performance. While some programs utilize a “blanket” approach towards training, we believe every athlete is different. Athletes grow, develop and adjust to their surroundings and must constantly be challenged in order to improve. Simple training exercises and methods will be mastered before moving ahead to more complex aspects of training to ensure maximum safety while achieving maximum stimulation.
6. EVOLVING
Advancement in programming, education, leadership, motivation and application of performance methods are constant priorities for a leading sports performance program. Professional development not only aids the coaches involved, but also assists the athletes and parents involved in the decision-making and training process. Our coaches constantly search for the most innovative methods to continue improvements in sports performance and the decrease of future injury.
7. EFFICIENT
Training protocols are put into place to create the safest and most efficient conditions to train for optimal performance and injury prevention. Athletes will know that performance training consists of a high tempo atmosphere with a constant sense of urgency to become better and better every day. Once the bar has been set, it must be constantly approached to be raised higher and higher at every opportunity.
8. COMPETITIVE
Competition breeds success. Athletes must be challenged physically, mentally and emotionally throughout all aspects of their training. To get to the edge, athletes must step out of their comfort zone and sharpen one another. While teams are only as strong as their weakest link, it becomes necessary to train everyday with a purpose and tenacity to strengthen the weak links to become a cohesive unit. Our coaches will help develop the competitive attitude in both individual and team scenarios so that each member of the team will be ready and willing to compete when the time is right.
9. COMPREHENSIVE
There is no definitive method of how to create a bigger, faster, stronger, more confident and successful athlete. The ultimate plan for a student-athlete's success lies in the experiences of coaches, trainers and mentors. It is necessary to gather information from all disciplines of performance enhancement to maximize success. Our sports performance program does not limit itself to certain modes or methods, but rather embraces all types of training and implements the most innovative and researched, but practical methods of development.
10. POSITIVE
Most importantly, we must continually provide constant and supportive feedback to every athlete during his or her quest for improvement. Through a positive coaching and training atmosphere, our athletes will lead by example, push one another and create an environment that will undoubtedly lead to success.
