Unlocking Young Athletes' Potential: Athleticism vs. Sport-Specific Skills
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
Release Date: 06/12/2024
How to Develop Athleticism in Youth: The #1 Overlooked Tip for Improving Youth Sports Performance
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
In this episode, Coach Edwards brings you a critical insight into youth athletic development that many coaches and parents miss. We revisit a game-changing approach to improving young athletes' performance across sports. Coach Edwards explains why foundational movement patterns—often skipped over—are essential for building speed, agility, and strength while reducing the risk of injury. If you’re a coach or parent eager to help your young athlete excel, don’t miss this powerful lesson on building a resilient, high-performing foundation for sports success!
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Best Hamstring Strengthening Exercises Young Female Athletes
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
In today’s episode, we dive into the two best exercises to help young athletes strengthen their hamstrings—especially important for preventing ACL injuries in female athletes. We break down the Nordic Hamstring Curl and the Hamstring Curl Bridge, explaining how they improve the posterior chain, enhance speed, and prevent common sports injuries. Learn how to progress these movements and ensure proper technique. Whether you're a coach or parent, this episode is packed with actionable tips to boost your athlete’s performance. Check out the video which further explains the exercises on our...
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Why Screen Drop Jump Test: ACL Prevention
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
ACL injuries are a major concern in youth sports, with up to 80% being non-contact and affecting female athletes 5 times more than males. In this episode, we break down the importance of the Drop Jump Test in preventing injuries and enhancing athletic performance. Learn how improper landing mechanics, like knee valgus and trunk collapse, can lead to injuries and why screening for these issues is crucial for young athletes. Plus, get tips on how parents and coaches can perform this simple test at home to improve force absorption and reduce injury risks. Join us as we explore practical exercises...
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How to Improve Speed and Acceleration for Young Athletes at Home: Simple, Effective Tips
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
In this episode of the Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast, Coach Edwards dives into actionable strategies for parents looking to improve their child's speed and acceleration at home. Discover how to use simple techniques like maximum effort sprints and resistance runs to tap into your young athlete's fast-twitch muscle fibers. Learn about proper dynamic warm-ups, recovery times, and why short bursts of speed training can make a big impact on their performance. Whether your child is in baseball, football, or any other sport, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to boost their speed...
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The Foundation of Athletic Performance: Why Foot and Ankle Strength Matter for Young Athletes
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
We’re throwing it back to one of our most popular episodes! In this fan-favorite, Coach Edwards dives into the often-overlooked importance of foot and ankle strength in young athletes. These foundational areas are critical for speed, agility, and injury prevention, with over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting every athletic movement. From improving sprint times to enhancing jump height, Coach Edwards shares practical exercises and insights on why foot and ankle training is essential for any young athlete’s development. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting...
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Andy Dooley’s Journey: Faith, Family, and the Path to Purpose
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
In this episode of the Developing Young Athletes Network, Coach David Edwards chats with Andy Dooley about his remarkable journey from college sports to becoming a Seattle Seahawks in-game host, social media influencer and his most recent book Lead With Faith Play with Purpose. Andy shares the role of faith, family, and consistent effort in achieving his dreams, offering invaluable lessons for athletes, coaches, and parents.
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Tempo Training: The Secret to Better Athletic Performance
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
Unlock the full potential of your young athlete with our latest podcast episode, "Tempo Training: The Secret to Better Athletic Performance." 🎙️💪 In this episode, Coach David Edwards delves deep into the transformative power of tempo training for youth athletes. Discover how this crucial training method can enhance strength, control, and overall performance by focusing on the three phases of muscle activation: eccentric, isometric, and concentric. Coach Edwards shares practical insights and real-world applications, demonstrating how tempo training can significantly reduce injury risk...
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Mastering Speed and Agility: Tips for Young Athletes
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
Today, we're revisiting the highlights from our winter and early spring Speed School program. Even though we're in the midst of summer, the tips and techniques we'll share are timeless and can be applied right now to help your young athletes improve their speed and agility. Join us as we unpack the secrets to success from our Speed School, featuring practical advice and inspiring success stories Tune in to discover: The critical role of technique in speed training Effective drills for enhancing speed and agility The significance of neuromuscular development in young athletes ...
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Unlocking Peak Performance: The Mental Edge for Young Athletes
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
In this special throwback episode, we revisit a captivating interview with Amanda Clements, a former Division I gymnast turned certified mental performance coach. Amanda shares her journey and reveals key mental performance strategies that can be applied by young athletes today to enhance their game and overall well-being. This episode is packed with valuable insights for coaches and parents of athletes aged 8-18, providing actionable tips to help young athletes develop mental toughness and confidence. Key Areas Covered: Mental Performance Coaching for Athletes: Learn about the critical role...
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Mastering Football Development: Essential Tips for Aspiring High School Offensive Linemen
Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast
On today's episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Tyrone Bruce Jr., a former college football player and current high school football coach. Tune in and listen to his experiences, from playing high school football in Texas to his transformative college years in Michigan. He discusses the importance of physical fitness, mental resilience, and the pivotal role of coaching in shaping young athletes. Perfect for coaches and parents seeking valuable insights to help their young athletes excel on and off the field.
info_outlineIn this throwback episode of the Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast, we revisit a timeless discussion that sparked significant interest among our listeners—coaches and parents of young athletes aged 8-18. Coach Edwards addresses a crucial question: Should we prioritize raw athleticism or sport-specific skills in young athletes? Delve into the nuances of athletic development and discover why nurturing overall athletic ability often trumps early specialization in sports. Key insights include:
- The importance of athleticism over sport-specific skills in youth sports.
- Examples of sports requiring early specialization, like gymnastics and figure skating.
- Real-life stories highlighting the long-term benefits of prioritizing athletic development.
Join us as we explore how fostering a "superhero" mentality in young athletes can lead to exceptional performance and a lifelong love for sports.