| I'm sure anyone would answer yes to that question, | | | | You must look at your sport and what the goal is of |
| but why? Because an architect draws a plan of what | | | | you sport. Example. In a soccer match you have 2 |
| your house should look like and how to get to the end | | | | halves that consist of 45min each with maybe an |
| result. | | | | extra 5min per half as injury time. What is the goal of |
| That is what a youth coach is supposed to do. He | | | | the sport? To get the ball from your side of the field |
| must design a plan (the program) on how to achieve | | | | into the opponents net. How do you do this? You have |
| long-term athletic development (the house). | | | | to pass the ball to your teammates with precision that |
| I believe that most coaches over think this and believe | | | | might also include short bursts of speed or sprints. |
| that designing a program is too difficult and therefore | | | | You see how I broke the sport down? That is just a |
| they just "Wing it". They take it session by session, but | | | | short example, you will have to go into more detail on |
| don't really plan it before hand. Maybe some coaches | | | | what energy system (look at my "what fuel does your |
| do plan the session before hand, but don't have a | | | | sport use" article) your sport uses, skills needed, etc. |
| complete long-term program, which still won't help your | | | | This is just a quick example of why program design is |
| athlete much. You need to draw a map to your | | | | so important for long term athletic development. |
| athlete's goal so that you can measure each step of | | | | If you are a youth coach/parent coach take some |
| the way. How do you do this? | | | | time on a weekend and watch a game of your sport. |
| Look at the time you have to achieve the goal and | | | | Take a pen and paper and make some notes. Try |
| then work backwards. You have to look at what you | | | | and break the sport down and start to build your plan |
| want to achieve and by when. Once you have | | | | to ultimate success. |
| determined this you can start breaking everything | | | | If you don't understand how to do this, please contact |
| down into chunks. | | | | me and I will be more than willing to assist you. |