Thursday 16 July 2009

adidas Men's Samba Classic Soccer Shoe

Adidas' legendary indoor shoe, the Samba Classic Soccer Shoe, features soft leather and a low-profile gum rubber outsole to give the elite player ultimate control. They also offer a full-grain leather upper for comfort and a soft feel, die-cut EVA for lightweight comfort. Better yet, they have a non-marking outsole for use on polished indoor surfaces.



Can you picture yourself on a summer's day with clear, blue skies floating overhead in a hot air balloon?
It's a great way to see the landscape; having an unobstructed view and feeling the wind blowing around you is an entirely different sensation than looking out of a small window as you zoom across the planet in a jet. Balloon flights are very popular as gifts for family and friends. Companies that run flights usually provide some champagne at the end of the journey to celebrate and participants receive a certificate authenticating the experience. Some couples choose to get married in a wicker basket high up in the sky. This is not a legal ceremony in the UK as yet but it is possible in Florida.

The hot air balloon transport was invented by two Frenchmen, the Montgolfier Brothers. There is a model of their original balloon from 1783 on display at the Science Museum in London. In 1960 Ed Yosk took his design skyward in Nebraska. That is essentially the version used today, and the material has evolved from the light nylon used by Yosk to balloons of a nylon or polyester material.

Most ballooning has been done as a pleasant, leisure activity. In later years the business world has begun to book hot air balloon companies for corporate hospitality and staff outings. Now there are many sport-type competitions and some adventurers have set out to make balloon flights for the record books. The world record for altitude was broken in India in 2005,when a balloon ascended to 21,290 meters (69, 852 feet). This isn't a safely recommended height; at that level oxygen is required.

Designers and pilots have invested a lot of time and money into making the activity as safe as possible and reputable companies who take the public on balloon flights have very good safety records. There have been accidents, most of which resulted from coming into contact with power lines. Rarely have accidents been solely due to pilot error.

When you are booking a hot air balloon flight, you should know at least five things.

1. Are the pilots FAA certified? FAA certified pilots renew their ratings twice per year by passing a flight review given by a commercial balloon pilot.

2. Is the balloon equipment FAA certified? FAA regulations require periodic inspections by FAA certified inspectors.

3. Has the company ever had any FAA incidents? These would be public records. Also ask if there have been any accidents at all. Before flight you should see the crew doing a thorough safety check. They will inspect the rigging, envelope, gondola and balloon. They will also know the weather report. If any single thing is wrong the flight should be aborted.

4. Does the company have insurance? Unfortunately a few in the past have not. Hopefully that will not be a problem for anyone now.

5. Is there an adequate crew? You are on the balloon ride to have fun, not to assist with take-offs, landings, or anything in between.

If you find you really love ballooning, you are not alone. Enthusiasts like to come together at the many events organized in America, Canada, the UK and Europe. There are annual hot air balloon festivals where the public can enjoy a great day out and competitors take part in races. The US National Hot Air Balloon championship has a different location each year and was in South Carolina in 2006. There is also a world championship and this took place in Japan in 2006.

I almost forgot. Do not forget to take a camera!

K.Petit

K. Petit is an adventure travel enthusiast. See more at http://www.playourplanet.com

adidas shoes

Saturday 11 July 2009

adidas Originals Men's Goodyear Race Driving Shoe

Because cars shouldn't have all the fun, try on these Goodyear-inspired race shoes that embody all the speed and flair of a race car, and get ready to roll. Redesigned for 2008 to include air intakes and extra high-speed impact.


Running shoes have evolved throughout its history, both in design and in performance.

The earliest pair of running shoes were called plimsolls. It was created using vulcanization, wherein rubber and clothe are fused together using heat. This is a technique still in use these days. These plimsolls were lightweight and comfortable, and were actually called "sneakers". In 1917, the Keds shoe company started mass producing and selling them to America.

While Keds was the first to sell trainers on the market, specialist running shoes have been around for a long time.

For example, in the late 1890's, J.W. Foster and Sons (now known as Reebok) created one of the earliest running shoes that were equipped with spikes on the underside of the shoe. The British founder of Reebok, Joseph William Foster, wanted to develop a shoe that would increase speed while running, as running and racing were his passion and primary goal driver. Thus spikes were added to the design.

The German Adi Dassler (founder of Adidas) further improved the spike technology in 1925. He created a range of shoes with hand forged spikes, with different spikes for different types of running shoes. He also used lightweight materials for easier usage and faster speed in running.

Today's running shoes are a combination of technology from its earliest conception and the demands of present day athletes. Now that podiatrics or foot medicine is integrated into the picture, running shoe designs incorporate foot health into its features. Primarily, different shoes are designed for different foot types. Today's technology have allowed vast improvements in comfort, design and performance.

To discover additional little known tips about The Evolution of Running Shoes, check out my FREE guide at The Running Advisor

adidas shoes

Wednesday 8 July 2009

adidas Women's Microbounce+ FH 08 Running Shoe

Because running should equal fun, there's no place for stiffness in the equation. This shoe has a fanned heel design that's less stiff. Plus full heel-to-toe Bounce that returns energy with each step for a supercharged ride.


There seems to be an endless stream of idiotic things professional athletes do. I guess if you put a bunch of young men together, give them a boat-load of money and lots of free time, what can you expect? When beautiful women, the media and the luxuries of life are thrown at them, their cockiness and stupidity are only amplified. Here are my top ten, but of course there are lots more. However, we must always remember, they are only human too.

1. Me Make Good Play!

Ever see NFL players beat their chest like a gorilla after they just made a good play? I guess its a Tarzan thing or something, but they look kinda ridiculous. Maybe if I was out there on the field and I was a 170-pound kicker watching a defensive lineman beating his chest after a sack, I may be a little intimidated, but overall, they look really silly doing it. (I attended a professional all-womens football game this year and saw a 350-pound woman do this, which was particularly scary.)

2. The God Factor, Part I

I hate it when players point up to Heaven and thank God after a good play too. Bear in mind however, that I am not criticizing religion or anyone for having faith in God. But this just looks lame. It happens a lot in MLB for some reason. A strikeout will cause Pedro Martinez to do the chest-touch and double-index-finger-point to God as if he and God were chatting earlier about possible pitching strategies in the locker room, and the strategy they chose together worked, so he had to personally thank God using his direct line.

3.The God Factor, Part II

Locker rooms, sidelines, dugouts, bullpens, and court sides are often full of praying men. One question: If you are praying to win, and your opponent is praying to win, who does God choose?

4. Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?

Why do pro jocks get arrested for drug and/or gun possession so much? Of course, lots of people do this one unfortunately, we just happen to hear about the famous athletes who do. Cmon guys, keep the drugs at home, stop driving while high, and for crying out loud, stop packin! You dont need a gun. Whos going to harm you? Youre six six and weigh 275 pounds!

5. It Wasnt Me!

Telling Congress you dont do steroids, then getting caught doing steroids is pretty dumb. I loved watching the clips where Rafael Palmero sat pointing a finger at the Congressional hearing stating with disgust and confidence, I do not take steroids. And then the next clip showing him apologizing profusely for taking steroids.

6. I Love You To Death

Murdering ex-lovers doesnt happen very often fortunately, but my list wouldnt be complete without at least mentioning O.J.

7. Rabbits

It seems that there are a lot of NBA players out there who use the phrase, My babys mom a little too often. And theres too many pro athletes offspring introducing their buddies as My brother from another mother. Ever hear of a condom?

8. How Much Bling Bling Do You Need!?

Its fascinating to watch professional athletes blow through all their millions in their first year or two and then have nothing left at retirement, which is usually only a few years later. How many fifty-year-olds are still playing pro sports? Not many (minus golfers of course, who will drag their canes and oxygen tanks with them on the fairway). So why dont pro athletes save a couple of bucks?

9. Love My Hog

Its not too smart to get injured off the job when youre a pro athlete. Cleveland Browns Kellen Winslow Jr. crashed his motorcycle recently and will now miss the 2005 NFL season. Jay Williams, a number one draft pick of the Chicago Bulls, also got into a motorcycle accident and has not played since. Whats with motorcycles anyhow? Talk about killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

10. When You Come To a Fork in the Road, Take It Yogi Berra

Saying really dumb things in the media seems to be a particularly easy thing to do if youre a professional athlete. I looked in a lot of places online to come up with a good list here. My problem was that there were so many good ones, I wasnt sure which ones to pick. But here are a few gems:

a. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."

b. Baseball player Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch: They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."

c. Football coach Ray Malavasi: "I don't care what the tape says. I didn't say it."

d. Baseball player Dizzy Dean, after a 1-0 game: "The game was closer than the score indicated."

e. Boxing Analyst: "Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious."

f. Soccer commentator: "Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven Dicks on the field."

g. Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers coach: "We're not attempting to circumcise rules."

h. Jim Wohford: "Ninety percent of the game is half mental."

i. Joe Theismann: "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

j. Charles Shackleford of the NCSU basketball team: "Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious."

k. Shaquille O'Neal, on his lack of championships: "I've won at every level, except college and pro."

As I already asked before, what can we expect from professional athletes? They often reflect society as a whole. Too much time, money and fame at a really young age can augment stupidity, simple as that. We all say and do dumb things, but thankfully, we dont have microphones and video cameras pointed at us all the time. As Norman Einstein used to say, Really smart athletes stay away from problems because they can predict the future with their ESPN.

TERMS OF REPRINT
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and you follow these rules:

*Email distribution of this article MUST be opt-in email only.

*If you post this article on a website, you must set any URL's
in the body of the article and most especially in the Author's
Resource Box as hyperlinks. Please send us the URL.

*Please send email to joconnor888@hotmail.com when posting or sending to a list

Copyright: 2005

Jason OConnor runs http://www.BestShowTicketsLasVegas.com where you can buy cheap online tickets to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA & NASCAR Tickets for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA & NASCAR.

adidas shoes

Friday 26 June 2009

adidas Field Socks (White/Black)

#216096.WB 80/9/7/4 acrylic/spandex/elastic/nylon. Imported.


South Africa grabbed the luck to be the seat for World Cup 2010. The ceremony will be launched on June/July 2010. These sports and events takes place all around ten stadiums and cities comprising the Cape Town. The stadiums have been sketched and the building has started. In fact the tickets are for sale on the various venues put up on the website.

The event is not so far and all sports lovers are awaiting to perceive all the precious moments while the competition between the great teams. Apart from the World Cup, South Africa does attract lots of tourists each year. And the news is that the splendid tickets, seats and accommodation will not be enough for the viewers. Several packages including sightseeing and event watching along with cottage stays are arranged by many companies. In lot of fractions of the world, the first round competitions are on the move and a full amount of 30 lineups have by now been eradicated. In a continental collection the Ten European States takes part in each match. There is a long way to go for the final world cup days. These breathtaking days are going to create an impact in the history of world sports. There are several other reasons to be part of world cup this time. As the event is happening in South Africa which is already a tourist destination, holiday packages are on the move to satisfy the tourists as well as the sport lovers. Holiday in South Africa is definitely animated, amused, liberal, boosted up, spoilt and re-energized. South African sightseeing puts forward unconquerable worth, outstanding tune-up, astonishing populace and surprising items for consumption.

The neighborhoods wish for the world to stopover South African at the time of World Cup for the reason that it has the funds for them as well a break to be aware of what formulates this good-looking nation state so out of the ordinary and welcoming. Other than World Cup, there is much to see and have fun in South Africa. Of course you will be able to detect the stylish road and rail network. The economy of South Africa is augmenting now and the cities and towns are unexplainably beautiful. All you have to do is make a trip through the vibrant cities to make out the beauty that is quite outstanding.

There are many reasons why the World Cup will tend to be success this time in South Africa. South African seashores put forward dirt free waters, fair shores and security nets. South Africa is reputed for its marvelous wines. A trip to South Africa is not whole devoid of chipping in the grandiose mountain collections. You will never have to worry about food in South Africa; the tastes are appealing to any people from whichever part of the world. Surprising games and expedition screening with trips are obtainable on ease. There are lots more that you can enjoy even after the World Cup days. Make it now or never!

Ivaylo Yordanov is the author and can provide you with additional information about holidays in South Africa and the World Cup 2010. Also, more information is available at World Cup 2010 Tickets South Africa Trips and World Cup 2010 South Africa.

adidas shoes

Wednesday 24 June 2009

adidas shoes men

adidas shoes men

The latest Samsung F110 Micoach is a stylish mobile phone that comes with some advanced mobile telephony features. It is a sleek and stylish looking slider phone, which is designed and developed in collaboration with Adidas, one of the biggest leaders in the sports industry. The device is empowered with some of the best multimedia capabilities; it also takes on the role of a personal trainer for the people using it.

The Samsung F110 is designed keeping 'fitness conscious' users in mind. The Micoach offers couple of useful functions to track the performance of the owners. As a matter of fact, this device comes with a belt that can be used for measuring the heartbeat of the people wearing it. Moreover, the built-in stride sensors are used for step count when it is clipped on the laces of shoes.

This slider phone comes in a dimension of 101.5mm in height, 45mm in width and 14.5mm in thickness that can be easily used by the owners. The sleek dimension boasts of a 2 inch display screen and easy to use navigational buttons. On a wide TFT screen, one can experience vibrant images, wallpapers, and screen savers without any hassles.This handset is empowered with a wide range of multimedia capabilities such as an advanced music player, an integrated megapixel camera as well as Java games. The built-in 2 megapixel camera enables the users to capture the pictures and record the video clips at anytime of the day. The FM radio and music player relaxes the frayed nerves. The integrated FM radio provides the latest updates on music, news, chat shows, weather reports, and sports.

The best thing that attracts the users is its storage facility. The Samsung MiCoach supports an internal memory of 1GB RAM that can be used for storing the messages, music, images as well as ringtones. This GSM enabled phone comes with high-end connectivity options such as GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth and USB connection. The connectivity options allow the users to transfer various files with ease and comfort to other compatible gadgets.

To get the latest updates on sim free phones and samsung mobile phones, visit Mobilerainbow.

adidas shoes

Friday 3 April 2009

Adidas Mens Corner Blitz MD Low Black/Running White/Graphite Cleats shoe

The Corner Blitz MD Low football shoe from Adidas features synthetic leather upper which is lightweight and durable. EVA insole provides comfort. Molded EVA midsole provides fit and comfort and multi-directional patter outsole for maximum traction.


As soccer is one of the most well loved sports on Earth, many children and adults are lured into participating in playing on a daily basis. Due to this wide spread popularity, soccer injuries are very common.

With over 80,000 adults and children going to emergency rooms every year as a result of soccer, knowing the safety rules is vital. When playing and watching, there are certain things that you should always be aware of so that you and your teammates or family members are not among those hurt through either playing or watching. There are several categories of safety rules that you should be aware of. These consist of the following:

  • On Field Safety
  • Goal Safety
  • Stadium Safety
  • Equipment
  • Weather Safety
  • Miscellaneous Accessories

On Field Safety

Of all of the categories, on field safety is the one that players are constantly aware of. This is where most children and adults are injured. Whether it is a sprained ankle from tripping over the ball, collisions, and other accidents, there are several things that you can do to prevent injury. Sprained ankles are one of the most common soccer injuries, as there is a great deal of foot work involved.

These injuries can be avoided by using a slight amount of caution when passing or receiving the ball, as well as taking care when running down the field. Proper foot position when handling the ball is one of the most effective ways at preventing this type of injury. Unfortunately, accidents will happen, regardless of how careful you are. By being diligent, you can make certain whatever injuries you sustain are minor and should not interfere with future game play. The key rule to preventing injuries on the field is to always be observant. Know where the ball is and know who is around you.

Goal Safety

Whether you are the goalie, or a player on defense, the goal can occasionally become a safety hazard. In most instances, collisions with goal or goalie are caused by lack of observation. Whether you trip and fall into the goal posts, or hit the goalie by accident, you need to make certain that you are always watching where you going when moving in to score. Not only can this action cause injury, it can also get you carded which could potentially have you removed from the game.

Another point to consider when shopping for 8 x 24 soccer goals, is to consider goals with rounded posts instead of square posts. When colliding with a post, you're more likely to skip off a rounded one and avoid serious injury.

Stadium Safety

For parents, guardians and friends, there are a few stadium safety tips that tend to be neglected when the subject of soccer safety comes up. Occasionally a player can lose control of the soccer ball, and it enter the stands where you are observing the game. Injuries due to being hit with the ball, or any other piece of equipment that flies your way, can be easily prevented by making certain you pay attention at all times.

Running through the stands, or through the player's area can be dangerous to you and others. As a rule, common sense is the best safety precaution you have. If it involves doing something that could harm yourself or others, such as walking over the back of the bleachers, climbing over people and tall benches, it should be avoided for your sake and others.

Equipment

Without soccer safety equipment, all of the in game rules would be ineffective. Shin guards, cleats, jerseys and proper fitting shorts and socks all work together to ensure that every player can enjoy the game without being at high risk of injury. Shin guards are used to prevent bruising or breaking of the lower portion of the leg, where cleats and soccer balls are highly likely to hit you. Without these, such as lotto shin guards, you put yourself at high risk.

Wearing a proper pair of cleats, such as the ones designed by Nike, gives you more grip into the turf. This grip helps to prevent sprains and breaks in the ankles. These shoes also give your feet adequate protection from other pairs of cleats and impact with the soccer ball.

Proper fitting clothing, ranging from the jersey, shorts and socks, contribute to player comfort. This is important, as distractions from the game can lead to injuries to yourself and others. It is always advisable to wear your proper jerseys to practice or to games. Specially designed jerseys and shorts are designed to handle the rigors of soccer. The fabric in particular is designed to stand up against grass stains as well as be comfortable.

Weather

One aspect of soccer safety that is forgotten by many players and parents is weather conditions. Playing in the rain can be a fun, invigorating experience, treasured by players for years to come. Despite this, playing in muddy conditions is dangerous. The slipping and sliding that creates a great deal of the enjoyment taken from playing soccer in the rain leaves room for a wide variety of different injuries. If you choose to play soccer in the rain, make certain you take every precaution possible, from wearing cleats, guards and your protective gear.

When a full fledged storm comes up, complete with thunder and lightning, game play should be ended immediately. A soccer field is the worst place to be in the middle of a lightning storm, and parents as well as players have been killed or maimed by lightning. If lightning is spotted and your referee does not end the game, you should still leave the field as soon as possible.

Miscellaneous Accessories

Before you play soccer, you need to make certain that you are not wearing miscellaneous accessories such as earrings, anklets and other pieces of jewelry that could be broken or cause harm. Earrings in particular are prone to being torn from earlobes when contact is made with a soccer ball. By removing these pieces of jewelry and other items of this nature, you can help prevent injuries to yourself that could be disfiguring. If you are considering getting piercings and you play soccer, you may want to consider planning to have your piercings done when the soccer season is over.

If you keep all of these things in mind while playing or observing soccer games, you should be able to enjoy the sport while being at low risk of injury.

About The Author

Rebecca Blain is a professional and hobbyist writer who enjoys taking care of her Siamese Fighting Fish and educating people about soccer equipment such as Lotto shinguards here:

http://www.everything-soccer.com/lotto-shin-guards.html

adidas shoes

Monday 30 March 2009

adidas Men's Samba Classic Soccer Shoe

Adidas' legendary indoor shoe, the Samba Classic Soccer Shoe, features soft leather and a low-profile gum rubber outsole to give the elite player ultimate control. They also offer a full-grain leather upper for comfort and a soft feel, die-cut EVA for lightweight comfort. Better yet, they have a non-marking outsole for use on polished indoor surfaces.


Keith Scott is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) through the National Athletic Trainers Association and also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association

Keith received his Masters Degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine from the University of Arizona. During his 13 years in Tucson, he had the pleasure and opportunity to work with hundreds of athletes each year in the youth, high school and college levels.

Keith focused on injury prevention, post surgical/injury rehabilitation, and Strength and Conditioning. He worked extensively with athletes of all levels and many different sports, with over 15 years working directly with athletes in the trenches. Keith currently resides in Southern New Jersey.

CB: Keith, how do you use your background of athletic therapy when designing programs for people and taking them through their workouts? How might they differ from someone like myself with only a minor background in the area of Rehabilitation?

KS:
I have a very strong background in assessment, so I take a lot more time evaluating range of motion in all major joints (some minor joints too), muscle and tendon strength, joint integrity, and basic movement patterns and mechanics.

I will take a whole session just doing an evaluation sometimes. I also take a pretty thorough history on each person, finding out about previous injuries, chronic problems, pain, etc and not to forgetthe persons experience level in training.

Once I have a good understanding of the persons situation I design my programs much like I would a rehab program for someone with an injury. After all, I have yet to meet anyone that does not have problems, imbalances or pain somewhere, so its really no different.

I create a problem list first and form the program around that. For example, if someone comes in with very tight hip flexors, tight dorsiflexors, and horrible scapular control (like a lot of people that we probably see) those go on my problem list. I create a program around those areas first and work on those things right away. I wont introduce an exercise in those areas until we correct them or at the very least, are on the road to correcting them.

People that cant control their hips, or ankles for example, have no business squatting any kind of weight until those things are handled, yet we see trainers, and coaches doing just that everyday.

What I have seen with a lot of trainers and coaches is that this problem list, if ever really generated in the first place, gets lost in the program and things never really get addressed that should. Ultimately, the athlete gets injured or never improves. Each program should be different because each athlete is different. Of course this takes more time and effort from the trainer/coach.

All of my programs utilize a lot of hands on work myofascial work (releasing), teaching of self myofascial work, muscle activation, and hands on stretching (PNF patternscontract/relax, etc). I am a big proponent of closed chain proprioception too, for upper and lower extremities as well as joint mobilization techniques and exercises.

I also use a lot more recovery methods with my athletes especially after training sessions. Different types of cold and heat therapy as well as different types of treatment massages and stretching.

CB: what are the typical muscle groups, lifts, and physical abilities that you focus on when training young athletes for sports?

KS:
Assuming that we are talking about high school age athletes first, I use the same type of muscle group training that I would an older athlete. This assumes that there are no major problems that need attacking first.

I work a lot of posterior chain with all of my athletes. Every one of my programs has glute work extension, abduction, stability, as well as adductor work (which I believe is missed in a lot of programs)

My programs will always have upper extremity pulling exercises included for the posterior chain, and rotator cuff work, especially the external rotators, but a good share of subscapularis work as wellthat muscle is overshadowed a lot by the other internal rotators and is extremely important.

I like to train the rotator cuff as a stabilizer more than just as internal/external rotators. Its job is to stabilize first. Here is where I will throw in some closed chain proprioception, PNF patterns, etc..

Along with the pulling and rotator cuff work, I will address scapula stability and function a lot. Sometimes this is just teaching the athlete correct movement of that area. Young athletes are in a perfect place to start to develop correct scapular movement patterns, and stability of that shoulder complex.

This is not to say that I dont put pushing exercises in programs, because I do, but I certainly dont think benching needs to be the crux of every program.

CB: What do young athletes really need?

KS:
Young athletes need movement training firstrunning mechanics, jumping mechanics, lifting mechanics, etc

I focus a lot of moving correctly. Just by learning how to move correctly and with the correct muscles, will reduce injuries with out a doubt...not to mention make a better and stronger athlete. After that, they need to establish both stability work in all joints, and reactive work.

Common lifts squats (front, back, split), lunges (sag. Plane first, and no multi-plane until they master that movement), dead lifts, cleans, push press, rows (seated, bar, db), medicine ball work.

Of course this all will be altered slightly depending on the sport, experience level, and problem list/

CB: Okay, describe a typical session for a young athlete.

KS:
Typical session address problems first if applicable at this point (ex: pain, tight areas, areas that need activating, releasing, etc.)

If time permits, I will do some releasing or the athlete will him or herself (foam rolling, etc.), followed by a really good active warm up. Mobility drills, and large muscle group warm up (lunges, jump rope, push ups, etc..) Active stretches, proprioception work (balance, coordination work)

Teaching and learning come next younger athletes need to be taught how to do the lifts, or mechanics correctly, so I will spend some time there at the beginning. Its essential with kids that you repeat things and get the movement patterns ingrained.

Depending on whether its a speed day, the athlete may do some speed, footwork, basic agility work first, and some reactive training. This will be followed with resistance training (major lifts first dls, squats, cleans, presses, etc..) And then any additional work at the end. I will include a lot of core training within the session usually between sets for more advanced athletes.

Most sessions end with some static stretching (ex: hip flexors, calves, heel cord, hip rotators, shoulders), and then recovery modalities if possible. Depending on which season the athlete is in, some energy system work might follow.

CB: At a young athlete level, how much variation is there in the programs between sports?

KS:
As far as resistance training not too much. Almost all of my athletes will do squats of some sort, dead lifts, presses and pulls. I work large muscle groups with all of the younger athletes, and besides rep and set schemes, it is pretty much the same.

I find that most need work on the same areas and those areas are usually the important ones for all sports. With that said, I will plug certain things into each program depending on the sport.

For example, a wrestler and basketball player will be trained much different when it comes to intensity, rep/set, especially as the competitive season nears. Off-season schemes look much more similar. Energy system training will be very specific to the sport however, as will reactive training and preventive exercises.

CB: What rehab, recovery, and prehab stuff would apply to young athlete training programs that most other trainers are missing?

KS:
As I already made mention to, most young athletes just need to learn how to move correctly first. This goes for all resistance training. Correct form will help to reduce both acute and chronic injuries.

Second, understanding muscle activation should be a standard in all programs, and especially when working with youth. Young athletes just dont move very well these days and in so many instances I find muscle groups that are just shut off. Many trainers are so stuck on increasing flexibility whenever there is a problem, that they miss everything else.

When something hurts, stretch more, when you cant do something stretch more. This is the answer to everything. It drives me insane.

In many cases these athletes dont need more stretching, they need activation. Both primary and antagonist muscle groups. Activation doesnt only need to be manual, meaning from the trainer/coach, but it can be taught to the athlete as well through simple exercises and drills.

It may sound like a strange form of prehab, but its so important in joint stability, and generating strength/power, and efficiency.

Proprioception!!! I dont see many trainers/coaches dealing with this at all. I like to describe proprioception as how the brain and muscles/joints/body talk to each otherit controls your balance, coordination, and how much of an athlete you really are. Control is a must in all movements. Good trainers and coaches can work it in the program without anyone ever knowing, but in many cases, it needs to be addressed straight up.

Finally, recovery is huge in my world. I dont see this even talked about much, but it is so important to overall progress and health. Just an ice bag over a sore joint, or a heating modality in the right place can make a huge difference in the athlete and how they respond to your program.

Pain will stop a training program in its tracks. Control pain, soreness, and stiffness and you will get ahead so much faster and safer.

How come some coaches/trainers never share recovery methods with their athletes or clients? Its a must for me and makes a bigger difference than people think. If you are not using recovery methods with your athletes and clients, you are missing the boat on good progress. Of course, rest and good nutrition are the key for proper recovery. It all needs to be addressed.

CB: Any other general recommendations for young athletes?

KS:
Start eating well when you are young; it makes it so much easier to establish good life long habits when you do so at a young age. It will also pay off more than you think doing the training and completive seasons.

Even if you dont have a trainer or a coach, make sure you train and condition before your season starts for at least a month, if you are not already playing another sport. The majority of the injuries I have seen over my 15 plus years are because athletes are not in proper condition when the first practice begins.

Get off of the computer and get your rest. Tired athletes usually become injured athletes. Besides, muscles grow and the body heals when you are sleeping and resting. Most teens ignore going to bed at an early enough time.

Play as many sports as you can while you are in high school. Specialization isnt needed at a young age and may wind up hurting you. The majority of division I athletes that I have worked with were 2 or 3 sport participants.

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Mens Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit http://www.TurbulenceTraining.com

adidas shoes