Focus is the goal of thinking right, to focus on every play and then refocus on the next. Focus leads to great performance, with an athlete being totally in the present and totally in the moment (hence, time-orientation). It turns out Focus is just a thought, which means it's controllable, and it also means you have a choice to take...

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Strength and conditioning, or more generally physical preparation, has been around since the dawn of man. Since that time, humans have searched for a leg up on the competition, whether it be the wooly mammoth for the village's survival or an opponent in the first Olympics. Although perhaps unknowingly, and certainly without fancy terms like the 'Physical Stress Theory,' man...

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Strength and conditioning professionals at every level face several challenges that are not easily solved. If you work in a high school setting, you will almost always have to do more with less than those who work with college or professional athletes. It is common to train multiple, if not all, of a school's athletic programs. A limited time frame...

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More and more people are skipping the gym and working out from home. A home workout can be both effective and economical. You can build strength with little to no equipment, simply using your body and a few items around the house. This can be said for lower body training. Building strong legs improves mobility, power, balance and helps burn...

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We Answered Your Energy Bar QuestionsQ. Which Energy Bar is the best?A. That depends on your taste buds. The best energy bars are the ones you enjoy eating, settle well for a pre-exercise energy booster, and fulfill your dietary needs. Q. Are Energy Bars better than Fig Newtons or other traditional foods?A. Like Fig Newtons, they are a carbohydrates source...

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When it comes to success in sport, it often gets labeled with physicality. Whom is the strongest or fastest is the best. This can be true and does make a difference. That success in sport is dependent on greater aspects and values beyond the physical nature that matter most. Being the best is just a label. Truly, being the best...

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Who didn't play "red light-green light" as a kid? As a camp coach from my high school days on, one of my favorite games to play with the youngsters was "soccer red light-green light." The ability to close the gap with a bit of guile and speed while getting a jump on the "green light" call was gold. Many years...

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Every child at some point comes to a crossroads when they want to choose between playing sports or getting a job. As parents, it's up to us to listen, offer advice, and guide. Like my Dad used to say, "Son, you will be working for the rest of your life. Don't miss out on creating high school memories and playing...

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Participating in sports is one of the most valuable learning experiences that a child can have, especially as they grow into their teenage years and build friendships. Unfortunately, many teens have only really grown up knowing the few most-watched sports on television: soccer, baseball, football, hockey, etc. They form an opinion that they are just not an athlete or are...

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How you breathe is the difference between good and poor health and maximal and subpar strength development. Breathe with your nose and eat with your mouth. First of all, breathing is reflexive. This means how you do it coordinates, conditions, and synchronizes other systems to function. For example, breathing through the nose affects the respiratory system by living less and...

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