A lot of parents have questions about training their child at a young age. There has always been a stigma surrounding the idea that strength training will stunt growth of a child or even cause injuries. When done correctly, strength training can have many benefits for youth athletes. Here are some guidelines when working with young athletes.
- Start with basics and build from there
- Design the training program based on the athlete’s previous training experience (if any) and athletic need
- Train different motor patterns along with focusing on muscle imbalances
- Slowly increase volume and intensity to avoid injuries
- Teach proper technique and form
- Encourage young athletes to try a variety of different sports
- Have fun, you want to the athletes to have a great experience
Spencer Haywood, M.S. CSCS
