Before I move into today’s post topic, I wanted to address many of the questions I have received with regards to the new IYCA Speed and Agility Certification. We are receiving tons of emails and calls as to what the certification is about and what the benefits of having this certification. Let me first start off by saying there is a lot of detailed information about how to coach athlete on multi-directional speed. There are progressions and cues on how to correct mistakes. This certification will clear up much of the confusing information on how to coach multi-directional speed. There is also an informative section in which Brian Grasso and I discuss how to market and run speed camps and clinics. If this is an interest of yours, then you will benefit from this information. The other aspect of obtaining this certification, which I believe is most important, is the tremendous credential it gives you. You are certified by the leading youth fitness organization in the world. The IYCA is quickly being recognized as the authority on youth fitness, youth coaching, and youth speed development. This alone puts you in a great spot to market yourself, gives you instant credibility in your community and is a resource to fall back on when you need answers in your training.

I don’t always push certification unless they have more than one benefit. I am absolutely saying anyone who works with youth sports should become a Youth Speed and Agility Specialist Level 1. No doubts, no questions… just do it! You will be glad you did. Check out www.youthspeedspecialist.com to become certified now.

On to today’s post….

Why is training from the feet better?

The more I learn about how the bodies systems work with each other the more I realize at some point, to get the most functional results out of our athletes, we have to train them from their feet. However, I will never say training lying down is bad. As a matter of fact, at times it is important. But when you want to ultimately tie all the systems together so an athlete can move most efficiently during sport…get them on their feet.

When we consider how the proprioceptors work to control the body in motion. When we look at how the vestibular system must coordination balance while on our feet. When we begin to understand how the ground reaction forces coming up through the feet affect the entire kinetic chain. And when we realize that all of these systems and more work off each other when standing, it becomes evident we must train from our feet to get the best results.

When I make these statements I am referring primarily to strength training, because we all realize we have to train speed from our feet. Strength training on the other hand is still coached by many coaches from machines and sitting or lying down. Because we are beginning to understand how the body works to improve function in sport- we must get off the machines, stand up, and use the ground as our primary surface of support.

I am not going to go into all the variation you can use to train from your feet. There are many great methods from power lifting, Olympic weight lifting, band training, KB training, and more. The bottom line is all of these methods primarily use the ground to push from and to stabilize off from. This type of training has a great carry over to the field, court, and track.

As I said above, it is fine to train from the ground for a specific reason. I also am a fan of using high element training like suspended pull ups or push ups, but when training the legs and hips, I believe most training should occur with the feet on the ground.

P.S. – Hey, don’t over think the IYCA Youth Speed and Quickness Specialists Level 1 Certification. There are benefits you won’t even realize until you are certified. Go to www.youthspeedspecialist.com