A system in “neutral” is desirable for physical activity.  It allows for efficient, alternating, reciprocal function in performing daily and sporting activities.   In other words, great fuel mileage with less wear and tear in the long run.  Taking the car analogy one step further, what would happen if we didn’t have neutrality, if we drove for miles and miles with our tires out of alignment?  Chances are we would end up on the side of the road sooner or later.  Well, our bodies are not designed for “neutrality”.  As humans our thorax, along with vital organs are different from right to left.  This affects our “alignment” and may cause us to use our fuel (a.k.a. oxygen) inefficiently.  Lets take a look at these differences.

The goal of any strength and conditioning program is to provide maximal results with minimal stimulus.   As Coaches, we directly prescribe mechanical stress to our athletic populations.  Think about going to a Doctor for a headache.  Which doctor would you likely revisit, the doctor that prescribed one Tylenol or fifteen?  Weight training is no different.  We strive to seek the “least effective dose.” The body reacts to stress (mechanical, physiological, psychological) in the same universal manner with the release of stress hormones that provide a “fight or flight” response.  Chronic activation of this response, regardless of modality, leads to overtraining, illness, and/or injury.  When it comes to programming coaches may witness two types of overtraining: Basedowic and Addisonic.

Sequence: A strict order of succession. Although there are a plethora of programming variables (training age, motor priorities, sport, exercise selection, exercise order, tempo, rest, intensity, density, duration, frequency, regeneration) it seems like the art of sequencing has taken a back burner.  There are two forms of sequencing that we use at Donskov Strength and Conditioning when writing our programs, small picture and big picture sequencing. We aim to keep things simple.

The older I get, the more I realize that attitude and work ethic trump talent and natural ability. How we react to the cards that are dealt is more important than the hand it represents, and that character outlasts fame, money, Twitter followers and Facebook likes. There is nothing worse than the sight of wasted talent. I have played with some Junior/College hockey players that should be making millions in the NHL, and I have coached youth athletes that have struggled to reach their inner potential with the preconceived notion that the world owes them something. It was never about goals and assists, penalty minutes, weight lifted or one rep max totals. It was and still is about attitude! It’s about being on time, never being outworked, honesty, integrity, embracing the grind, pushing your teammates and relentlessly perusing a “One Day Better” mentality. As my older brother would say, “It’s about being an “Everydayer”.

Another summer of programming is officially in the books at DSC. This year we had four full capacity Athletic Development programs with 50+ athletes. It’s always rewarding as a Coach to see both tangible and intangible results that our athletes’ have attained. It’s also a time to reflect on program design, results and areas of improvement for next year. Below are 5 new concepts/ideas that we implemented into this summers Athletic Development program.