Strength Training at Any Age: Coaching Considerations
- jlsmith44
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 27
Inspired by our book, Coaching Better Athletes
Part 1 of 3 part series
Generally speaking, the strongest athletes tend to outshine their peers because they are more capable of generating and applying force. I don’t think anyone would push back much against that statement. Everyone tends to believe that strength is a good thing. The thing about strength development, though, is that it’s complicated. What works for one athlete doesn’t work for another. Some athletes, although they may be the same chronological age as their peers, are nowhere near their peers in terms of training age or physical development. This is something many fail to understand and refuse to take into consideration when developing a program. The good news is that almost any well-crafted strength program can empower athletes at all levels, enhance their performance, and improve their physical resilience. So while some fail to tend to their athletes properly, great coaches can do their due diligence and change the trajectory of a young athlete’s career with just a little bit of hard work and research.
Crafting a Holistic Strength Program
To build an effective strength program, coaches must navigate variables like time, facilities, expertise, and transportation. Assuming athletes have access to proper nutrition and rest, these factors can be managed with clear planning. The key is fostering accountability—athletes and their parents must take ownership of the development process. By setting realistic expectations, coaches can mitigate external challenges and keep athletes motivated to drive their own progress.
..."athletes and their parents must take ownership of the development process."
The foundation of any program is a baseline assessment. Tests like the vertical jump, 10-yard sprint, pro-agility drill, broad jump, and medicine ball throws offer a clear picture of an athlete’s speed, power, and strength. These insights can help shape a program that develops the entire athlete, avoiding the trap of focusing solely on isolated skills like speed or jumping. A holistic approach builds a sturdy foundation, much like ensuring a race car engine is paired with a chassis strong enough to handle its power. This not only maximizes performance but also reduces injury risk and promotes long-term growth.
Maximizing Time and Impact
The length of a strength program you plan to administer will depend on goals and available time. Only include exercises in your program that you’re confident in teaching. If you want to include others, get to work and study them. You may also want to consider hiring some professional help if you don’t believe you know how to administer a fully comprehensive program. Seek the type of help that will make your athletes better and you a better coach. Injuries and other setbacks that come from improper training can kill a program.
"...time is precious. It’s precious for you as a coach trying to juggle a job, athletics, and your own personal life."
Another thing to remember is that time is precious. It’s precious for you as a coach trying to juggle a job, athletics, and your own personal life. It’s especially precious for multisport athletes juggling school, family, and friends. Be intentional with every aspect of your program. From training to practice, every session should be designed to deliver maximum impact within the time you set aside for it.
In Short…
While any safe training—be it conditioning for endurance or lifts for strength—offers some type of benefit, randomized activity will fall short. A purposeful program, tailored to assessment results, ensures meaningful progress. Coaches should stay open to learning, seeking input from experts, or hiring professionals to elevate their program’s quality. By keeping things simple and intentional, coaches create an environment where athletes can commit, grow, and thrive.
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