10+ years in Strength & Conditioning • Trained 650 athletes across 29 teams by myself • I’ll show you how how through simple and effective S&C program design
Do this many sets per day:
20-25 total sets (including warm ups) is enough volume to apply the training effect athletes need.
Beginners can do even less.
Higher training age athletes can get away with as high as 30 total sets per day, but I have not found that to be any more
Overrated:
- Compression boots
- Foam rolling
- Ice baths
Underrated:
- 8+ hours of sleep
- 1g of protein per Lb of BW
- 1.5-2g of carbs per Lb of BW
- Water
One thing I've noticed
The athletes that make the most progress in 4 years are the ones who commit to training hard over the summer and breaks
It's not sets, reps, exercises variations, or methods
It's consistency and commitment to training
That's the secret
Weight room strength not transferring to the field?
We've all had that kid who was strong as an ox but had no "pop" or burst on the field
Here's why and the 5 tools to fix it🧵
Sunday schedule:
- 5am wake up
- Cold shower
- First workout (fasted)
- First black coffee (fasted)
- Meditated while taking second cold shower
- Second black coffee (still fasted)
- Read 100 pages
Just kidding. Got out of bed at 9:00 then put cream and sugar in my coffee
Overrated for recovery:
- Compression boots
- Foam rolling
- Ice baths
Underrated for recovery:
- 8+ hours of sleep
- 1g of protein per Lb of BW
- 1.5-2g of carbs per Lb of BW
- Water
Prioritize these this preseason
“Division 1 experience preferred”
Having both played and coached in D1, and now in D3 myself, I can honestly tell you it makes zero difference
Either you have the knowledge, can teach, lead, and mentor, or you can’t
Experience at multiple levels makes you better, more robust
Something I've noticed
Our athletes that make the most progress in 4 years are the ones who commit to training hard over the summer and breaks
It's not variables, exercises, or methods
It's commitment and consistency
That's the hack
Textbook: This is the Krebs Cycle
Coach: ok but how do I program for 40 kids
Textbook: Mirrors should be 18” off the ground
Coach: what about condi-
Textbook: Sarcomere
How strong is strong enough?
I go by these strength standards
Strength is the low hanging fruit until they can hit the Minimums
The Goal numbers are the point of diminishing returns for strength alone (maybe sooner)
Something I've noticed
The athletes that make the most progress in 4 years are the ones who commit to training hard over the summer and breaks
It's not sets, reps, exercises variations, or methods
It's consistency and commitment to training
That's the secret
Some "rule of thumb" guidelines for programming:
Strength: 65-85% for 3-5 sets of 3-8 reps
Size: 50-70% for 3-5 sets of 8-12 reps
Power: 3-5 sets of 1-5 reps at 40-60%
Here’s an S&C lesson the don’t teach in ExSci 101:
Realistically in the NCAA/HS setting, 60-80% of your programming is going to be dictated based on your space and equipment alone
You can have the perfect workout drawn up, but if it creates massive traffic jams it won’t go well
How strong is strong enough?
I go by these strength standards
Strength is the low hanging fruit until they can hit the Minimums
The Goal numbers are the point of diminishing returns for strength alone (maybe sooner)
“How do you motivate your athletes?”
I don’t
Motivation fades after two weeks
So what keeps them coming back?
Purpose: We’re here to get better, stay healthy, and win
Experience: The weight room is the best party on campus. They love it
Results: High ROI on time invested
How strong is strong enough?
I go by these strength standards
Strength is the low hanging fruit until they can hit the Minimums
The Goal numbers are the point of diminishing returns for strength alone (maybe sooner)
Things you need to know:
- How to structure a basic program
- How to work around injuries
- How to train in-season
- Exercise selection
Things written about in textbooks instead:
- Sliding filament theory
- Classes of levers
- Golgi-tendon organs
- Krebs Cycle
Finished my upper body lift in 27 minutes today
Lower body took 38 minutes yesterday
Explain to me why you think your 15 year olds need to train for 2 hours again?
Do sprints first in a workout at peak freshness
Fresh = Fast
If you're not sprinting at 100% speed, you're not getting faster
Do this:
- 2-4 reps
- 10-20 yards
- Fully recovered
Then go inside and lift
Weight room strength not transferring to the field?
We've all had a kid who could squat a house but had no "pop" or burst on the field
Here's why and the 5 tools to fix it🧵
Weight room strength not transferring to the field?
We've all had that kid who was strong as an ox but had no "pop" or burst on the field
Here's why and the 5 tools to fix it🧵
Fear the strength coach? I don’t run a fear based weight room. My WR is the most positive, exciting, energizing, uplifting place on campus. They always leave with more energy and are never crushed or exhausted. Party in the WR is best party on campus
"How do I gain muscle without getting fat?"
1. Actually train hard on a set program 3-4x/week
2. Calories: (BW x 15) +500
3. Protein: 1 gram per LB of BW
4. Carb: 2+ grams per LB of BW
5. Sleep: 7-9 hours for most
A gain of .5 - 1 pound per week is ideal
Screenshot this
Weight gain hack:
PB&J sandwiches
2 per day. Whenever you can't get a meal in or at night if you do
They do not need to be refrigerated (you read that right)
Do sprints first in a workout at peak freshness
Fresh = Fast
If you're not sprinting at 100% speed, you're not getting faster
Do this:
- 2-4 reps
- 10-20 yards
- Fully recovered
Then go inside and lift
Don't tell me you'll "Do whatever it takes" or "Go the extra mile" until you'll make the following a priority:
- Get 8 hours of sleep
- Eat 4-6 meals of quality foods
- Drink enough water
- Show up to workouts/practice consistently
"No days off" completely disregards Physiology 101
Adaptation (gains) only occurs if the body is able to recover form the training stress placed on it
No recovery - No adaptation
No days off = No gains
How strong is strong enough?
I go by these strength standards
Strength is the low hanging fruit until they can hit the Minimums
The Goal numbers are the point of diminishing returns for strength alone (maybe sooner)
Weight gain calorie formula:
Body Weight x 15 +500
Get 1g of protein per Lb of body weight and least that much (meaning more) carbohydrate from good sources
Steal this ⬆️
Strength does not have to means 1RMs
Examples of improved strength:
- Athlete did 135x5 - can now do 135x8
- Zero Chin Ups to 3 legit Chin Ups
- Same weight with much better control
- Moving the same weight with greater speed
Preseason Recovery 101
All the ice baths and foam rolling in the would won’t save you if you’re not:
✅ Getting 8 hours of sleep
✅ Slamming water
✅ Consuming adequate calories, protein, and carbohydrates from quality sources
How strong is strong enough?
I go by these strength standards
Strength is the low hanging fruit until they can hit the Minimums
The Goal numbers are the point of diminishing returns for strength alone (maybe sooner)
S&C Pro Tip:
Run 45 minute lifts
You’ll get more groups through in less time and will force you to streamline your programming
High training effect, reduced total volume which is easier to recover from. Can continuously train for a longer stretch
6-8 total exercises at MOST
Force-Velocity Profiling Simplified:
High 1RM + Low Vert Jump = needs more velocity (jumps, sprints, plyos)
Low 1RM + High Vert Jump = needs
more force (strength)
Just program accordingly
There's really no excuse to avoid in-season training
This can be done in 20 minutes or less right after practice:
3 work sets of each :
1A: Trap Bar Dead
1B: DB Bench
2A: DB RDL
2B: Chin Ups
Me Year 1:
“I can’t wait to learn all the advanced science and training methods!”
Me now:
“Maybe if I label the Dumbbell rack with Wite-Out they’ll put them back in the right order”
There's really no excuse to avoid in-season training
This can be done in 20 minutes or less right after practice:
3 work sets of each :
1A: Trap Bar Dead
1B: DB Bench
2A: DB RDL
2B: Chin Ups
The muscles of the Lower Back (Spinal Erectors, QL, lower Lats) make up half of the “core” that people love to rave about
Robust “core training” must involve direct lower back work
Too often it’s neglected
The programming formula ⬇️
✅ 6 total exercises
✅ Two tri-sets
✅ 20-25 total sets
✅ 45 minutes or less
I use this across 29 different sports
Trust me, it works
How to motivate athletes:
1. Don't bother. Motivation doesn't last
2. Deliver results
3. Create an experience and community they WANT to be a part of
4. Let the ones who don't want in find the door on their own
You'll be left with a room full of kids who truly WANT to be there
How strong is strong enough?
I go by these strength standards
Strength is the low hanging fruit until they can hit the Minimums
The Goal numbers are the point of diminishing returns for strength alone (maybe sooner)
One of the best life lessons the weight room teaches is delayed gratification
It will probably take several weeks to see any progress
But if you stay the course and put the work in, the results over the months and years will literally be life-changing
Very powerful
The programming formula ⬇️
✅ 6 total exercises
✅ Two tri-sets
✅ 20-25 total sets
✅ 45 minutes or less
I use this across 29 different sports
Trust me, it works
Exercise Order 101
- Explosive Movements (Jumps, Throws, Sprint)
- Main Strength Movement (Squat, Clean, Bench, etc)
- Main Assistance Movement (RDL, Lunge, Row, etc)
- Accessory Work/Trunk
Not totally set in stone but a good template to follow 99% of the time
Gains are made during recovery, not during training
Adaptation doesn't happen if adequate recovery isn't allowed
"No days off" is a one way ticket to plateau city
Overrated: Core values painted on the wall
Underrated: Clear instructions and expectations
Being a head coach is more than motivational speeches and hashtags
How to create buy-in:
1. Explain the Why
2. Teach clearly and correct effectively
3. Deliver results
4. Create an experience and atmosphere they WANT to be a part of
5. Hold a high standard so the ones who don't want in find the door on their own
Takes care itself in time
You don’t hear much about teams being “out of shape” late in the season
It’s almost like…
Playing and practicing the sport are the best way to condition for the sport 🤯🤔🧐
Two things that build mental toughness better than any finisher you can come up with:
1. Showing up on time consistently
2. Putting in great effort when you don't want to
S&C Pro Tip
With large groups, pair complex movements like Olympic lifts with idiot proof assistance work so you can focus on coaching the Olympic reps
A: Hang Power Clean
B: Band Pull Aparts
C: Side Plank
You coach A intently, they’ll handle B+C without your direct attention
50x40yd "sprints" is not developing the mental toughness you think it is
It's teaching them that if they half-ass it long enough it'll be over
You're teaching them how to hold back and survive, not attack and conquer
You're doing the opposite of what you think
Food for though
Another huge reason for in-season training?
It's a massive part of long term development
It's hard to make serious 4 year progress in physical development if you start over from scratch every offseason
90% of programming is at the mercy of your logistics:
- Space
- Equipment
- Number of bodies
- Time
- Coaches in the room
Do the best you can with what you get