Programming ARTICLES

As sport performance coaches, one of our goals is to train athletes to withstand the stresses of playing their sport. This includes the management of physical stresses between the weight room and practices to elicit better performance and mitigate injuries (1). Stress is any form of pressure or tension placed onto a system that elicits adaptations that are either positive or negative. The training process brings stress to the system with the goal of creating a positive change. However, the body interprets different stimuli, both cognitive and environmental, as forms of stress (1). Therefore, the cumulative stress of multiple factors [...]

In the ever-evolving landscape of sports, data tracking has emerged as a powerful tool for optimizing performance. Collecting and analyzing relevant information on athletes is essential, but determining what to track amidst the vast array of available data is crucial in sports science. Technological advancements have provided coaches and sports scientists with tools to evaluate and disseminate data, enabling effective practice planning and driving improved performance outcomes for athletes. Coaches and sports scientists face the challenge of filtering through the noise to identify the most valuable and “useful” metrics. By focusing on key factors directly impacting athletic performance in their [...]

An excellent overview of how to create training programs and considerations related to programming. Perfect for strength coaches starting in the field. Complete handout available for download. CSCA-Programming-Checklist-HandoutDownload https://youtu.be/U2q0AnjjaNs

Summary: There is debate amongst coaches and researchers as to whether we can actually "predict" injuries. There are two main hurdles that must be considered when attempting to use injury prediction models in practice. This article discusses assumptions regarding injury base rates and whether more accurate prediction models actually yield better decision-making processes. Practical recommendations are then made for coaches based on these statistical assumptions for current and future practice. Note to reader, all internal references are hyperlinked to the source material Coaches and researchers debate whether we can actually "predict" injuries. This debate is complicated by the many companies [...]

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”. At times in my career, I’ve heard statements from coaches along the lines of “this player seems like he doesn’t care” or “it doesn’t seem like she cares about being here”, and this is often followed up with a conversation about how frustrating it is for coaches when the athletes don’t seem present or invested in training. I like to think I understand where the coaches are coming from; a lot of strength and conditioning coaches get into the field through some innate draw to the weight [...]

Strength & conditioning support for football (soccer for us North Americans) has evolved over time. The evolution of the “fitness coach” has, in part, coincided with the increase in game demands alongside the proliferation of tracking devices and sport science research over the last two decades (1,2). As a result, the integration of S&C coaches to ensure the physical preparation of the team and support coaches with training load management has become the standard. This phenomenon has quickly translated to younger levels – which was precisely my job as the physical preparation coach with the Vancouver Whitecaps academy. I later [...]

The vertical jump test is one of the most widely used physical tests to measure lower body power. In 1921, Dudley Allen Sargent was the first to start using and researching the vertical jump to measure athletic capability (1). The test has evolved over the last 100 years to become one of the most widely used tests by all levels of practitioners and coaches. Vertical jump tests are also used in research and applied settings for a wide variety of reasons around athletic development and performance, such as monitoring if an athlete is adapting to a training program (2). One [...]

The 20m shuttle run, also known as the beep test,  is validated and reliable test which is predictive of the maximal rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max), and is considered as a gold standard field test for the measurement of aerobic fitness (1,2). A VO2max test can cost upwards of $150-250 in most Canadian cities, and will set you back an hour of laboratory time, the beep test was developed to be used as a convenient field-based physiological testing alternative.  Paliczka et al. (3) reasoned that the 20m Shuttle Run test is an ideal field test because judgment about pace is [...]

Note: In Part 1 I described the general concept of movement character. Part 2 will focus on breaking down the characteristics of each and putting in place a simple System to rate athletes on the spectrum, which collectively make up one’s complete movement character. In Part 3 I will share the testing and training programs guidelines for each. Each character has its attributes. The following are 15 major points for each with a brief on their overall strengths, weaknesses, and observations. These are guidelines and based on my experience. This is not an exhaustive list but provides a starting direction. [...]

Programming can be an inspiring process or a complete slog. Depending on your approach and circumstances, you could build innovative and exciting training plans or get stumped, spending hours trying to figure how the right combination of movements go together. Do we front or back squat? When did I put med ball throws in there? Did that change I just made fall in line with the purpose of the session? Maybe you’re stuck with constraints around physical space or less-than-ideal training environments, potentiality due to COVID restrictions. We all deal with a multitude of questions and dilemmas that dictate our [...]

Through a collective COVID-induced pivot in the health & fitness industry, online coaching has witnessed a major boom in the past year. Whether it was simple exercise prescription or Zoom workouts, we had found a new (temporary?) norm. Even with gyms reopening, many online coaching businesses are still thriving. While online coaching allows for much greater accessibility, it also carries the perception of providing less value than in person coaching. While this may be true, online coaching can be extremely effective. The difficulty lies in trying to truly replicate an in-person experience over the internet. Two questions one must ask themselves when attempting to [...]

As a Masters student and one of the first S&C coaches at UBC back in the early 90’s I had just secured my first paid position with the new NBA expansion team, the Vancouver Grizzlies. By the start of that 1995-96 season I had already spent over 10 years volunteering at the CIAU (now USport) level with Varsity teams and athletes across the country through my work at UBC and Lakehead. What resulted was, by the time I was 30, I felt I was at the top of the game of conditioning for basketball and many sports in the country. I knew exactly what I was [...]

In over 26 years as an S&C coach, I have at times found kinesthetically-based corrections, in particular, the use of my hands, to be effective in helping to correct movement patterns for kinesthetic learners.  ”They say not to use your hands when you correct.”  This was a quotation made by a coach in one of the workshops I teach, about a particular certification organization in North America.  What a shame, was my initial reaction.  However, given the impact, and the importance of, the Safe Sport Movement, it is clear that using touch as a coaching tool needs to be carefully [...]