The Importance of Diverse Training and Quality Coaching
In this episode of Power Athlete Radio, Mr. Zach Even-Esh, a strength coach from New Jersey and purveyor of all this old school discussed the challenges he encounters as a parent deeply involved in the athletic pursuits of two high school kids. He discussed his firsthand experience with the diverse approaches to training and the varying impacts they have on young athletes.
His daughter, who started tennis at a young age, has benefited immensely from engaging in multiple sports. From basketball to soccer, and swimming to softball, her athleticism has been shaped by a broad range of activities. This diverse training has not only made her versatile but also emotionally resilient. She thrives on high volumes of training, and it's often a challenge to make her take necessary breaks.
On the other hand, his son’s experience with travel baseball has highlighted the inconsistencies in coaching quality, mirroring the variations seen in strength and conditioning training. Travel baseball, much like strength training, offers a spectrum of coaching styles and expertise. This inconsistency can significantly impact an athlete's development. For instance, observations have been made of high-level athletes at the son’s high school who attend private strength coaching yet struggle with basic movements like bodyweight squats and pushups - something every young person, let alone athlete, should be able to accomplish without duress.
This brings to light a crucial aspect of youth sports training: the quality and methodology of coaching. Effective coaching should focus not only on sport-specific skills, but also on foundational movements and overall athletic development. It's disheartening to see athletes investing time and resources in private training without achieving fundamental proficiency. Such experiences underscore the need for parents to be discerning and proactive in selecting training programs and coaches.
In conclusion, while the journey of youth sports is filled with opportunities, it also requires careful navigation. Ensuring that young athletes receive well-rounded, high-quality coaching is essential for their long-term success and physical development. Whether it's through varied sports participation or consistent strength training, the goal should always be to build a solid foundation of athletic skills and resilience.
JOHN WELBOURN
John Welbourn is Founder/CEO of Power Athlete Inc and former NFL player. John was drafted with the 97th pick in 1999 NFL Draft and went on to be a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2003, appearing in 3 NFC Championship games, and started for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004-2007. In 2008, he played with the New England Patriots until an injury ended his season early with him retiring in 2009. Over the course of his NFL career, John started over 100 games regular season games with 10 play-off appearances. He was a four-year letterman while playing football at the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated from the college of letters and sciences with a bachelor's degree in Rhetoric in 1998. And did his Masters work at the UC Berkeley School of Education in 1999. Since retiring from the NFL, John has worked extensively with the NFL, NHL, MLB, Olympic athletes, the US Army and Naval Special Warfare. He works as a consultant and advisor for several companies focused on improving human performance through training, nutrition and fitness-based technologies. John provides daily coaching and mentorship to over 5000 athletes around the world through his Power Athlete Coaches Network and training program delivery platform. Since in 2013, John has hosted a weekly podcast, Power Athlete Radio; a podcast dedicated to improving performance and connecting with some of the smartest people on the planet. With more than 700 episodes Power Athlete Radio has proven to be on the top podcasts in the strength and conditioning realm. John travels the world lecturing on performance and nutrition for Power Athlete and as a keynote speaker. John is a married father of three and resides in Austin, Texas. You can catch up with him at his personal blog, “Talk To Me Johnnie”, at Power Athlete or on social media @johnwelbourn.