Young athletes can still improve their athleticism without stepping onto the field.
During this unprecedented time, we have all had the opportunity to self-reflect and take stock of what’s truly important to us. We’ve fantasized about what we’ll do when some degree of normalcy is restored. Personally, I think about spending time with my family, playing spikeball in Central Park with my friends, and sitting at a ball game on a beautiful summer night. But until we can get back to all that, we have to make the most of our current situation and foster healthy habits.
One particular aspect of this mess that’s weighing on us is the impact on our youth athletes. It is an absolute shame that kids are missing out on spring sports, and most likely, prime training opportunities like summer camps and tournaments. Families who are used to structuring their lives around youth athletics are left without their compass.
But this is our chance to redefine what it means to win, and find success against the odds.
We must stay active and build our athletic capacity without stepping on the field or getting in the water. The silver lining here is that we’ve been handed an opportunity to better understand how the body moves, identify the weak points, and attack those issues with strength and mobility work to become a better athlete.
Right now, every single kid should evaluate if they can do a:
These fundamental movement patterns are crucial to performance. (Click those links to our demos to get a sense of how thoroughly we evaluate them.) If you don’t move well in these patterns, attack the basics! Take 30 minutes every single day to mindfully crush these patterns, so that when you get back on the field, court or in the pool, you are stronger than you were before.
That said, executing reps with improper form will only reinforce bad habits. Start with an orthopedic screen and movement analysis. (Both can be done virtually as well as in person.) We’ll use that data to create a custom program (ranging from bodyweight exercises to elite-level weight lifting) to help you make the most of this weird time.
Challenge yourself to do the basics savagely well! Get more in tune with your body, hammer these patterns, and become a better athlete than you’ve ever been. When this is all over, don’t let anyone be able to say they’ve worked harder than you. That’s the mark of a champion.
Need help with programming or motivation during this surreal time? Give us a call to discuss the specific issues you’re having, or shoot us an email. We got you.
Team Clutch PT