In the world of competitive sports, the synergy between sport coaches and performance coaches is crucial for achieving optimal athletic performance.

So here’s the thing - summer can be used to build a good base of strength, improve speed and quickness, or refine skills needed for a sport if approached properly. However, the risks athletes often face during the summer are detrimental activities that do not improve performance, such as detraining or overtraining, or even risky behaviors.

In the competitive world of youth sports, the pressure to excel can often be overwhelming, leading to burnout and injury among young athletes. As parents, guardians, and coaches, it's crucial to understand how our actions can contribute to these issues, and more importantly, how we can help prevent them. How can we redefine success in youth sports to focus on personal growth and development rather than just winning?

Wendler 5/3/1 vs. Juggernaut Method: Practical Strength Programs for the High School Weight Room.

In recent years it has become more and more common that young athletes specialize in one sport. In this case, specialization often means dedicating all skill and strength training techniques and methodologies toward benefiting the athlete for high performance only in the unique aspect of that sport. This trend, however, is not without its controversies and we’re not convinced it is beneficial.

In the ever-evolving world of strength training and athletic performance, athletes and researchers are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance peak performance. One emerging area of interest is the application of cold to the extremities, specifically the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, during resistance training sessions. This noninvasive cooling method, known as interset distal cooling, has shown potential to improve workout outcomes by increasing muscle activation, reducing fatigue, and enhancing overall training volume.

Sometimes “pushing harder” or doing extra reps actually isn’t making you better. In fact, in certain circumstances it could be doing more harm than good.

Explore Two New Additions to the Connect app - Sport MPS-2 and AIMS Assessment

During the holiday season athletes often struggle with maintaining their level of fitness. Some sports start relatively soon after returning from the holiday break, making this time crucial for top performance.

Plyometrics should be introduced early and often for youth athletes, but this should be done in a controlled and periodized manner. Plyometric-based exercises can be as simple as hopping or skipping and as advanced multi-jump bounding or single-leg hopping. Incorporating plyometrics 2-3 times per week with at least 120 ground contacts in the form of games or play is a great place to start with young athletes.

Hill sprints are a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that have gained popularity among athletes for their remarkable ability to enhance performance. Research has delved into various aspects of hill sprints, revealing numerous benefits that can contribute to an athlete's overall performance.

This post is going to highlight an article that gives you the tools to know your athletes are getting faster without having laser timing gates and doing away with the flawed method of hand timing. This is your low-cost, high-effectiveness solution!

This blog article is a follow-up to my last article about the disparity between conditioning protocols in basketball.

Implementing a mental toughness practice into your organization’s athletic program is crucial for overall performance and it imparts valuable lessons that can be carried into adulthood.

"Get on the line."

If you’ve ever played organized basketball, chances are you’ve heard this line from your coach at some point. During that time, you find yourself running a drill that has been passed down or adapted from one place to the next. 

Stress is a universal experience, affecting people from all walks of life, including athletes who often face unique pressures and demands. For athletes, managing stress is not just a matter of mental well-being but also a critical component of peak performance and overall health.

Being a good parent to a child involved in competitive sports can be both rewarding and challenging. The role requires balancing support and encouragement with realistic expectations and healthy boundaries. Here are five ways to support their growth and development while keeping them interested in the game.

As youth and high school athletes grow more competitive in their sport, the role of nutrition becomes non-negotiable. One of the most crucial nutrients for these developing athletes is protein.

If you’ve been involved in organized sports or physical activity, you know what a warm up is and the expectation that you complete one before you begin. There are youth teams, adult fitness classes, and professional organizations doing warm ups all around the world. However, there remains a disconnect between completing a warm up and getting the ideal benefits from one. This may, in part, be because the warm up isn’t well-designed, but most likely the issue is that it isn’t well-executed.

The state of youth sports is a constant discussion at ACES Nation as it is at the core of what we do. Often we read and hear about how bad team sports have gotten due to their financial burden, hectic schedules, overbearing parents - the list goes on. But there is no denying the benefits of youth sports for the health of our children, communities, and future.