Universal Drills: Athlete Development Starts Here
- jlsmith44
- May 23
- 3 min read
Updated: May 27
Inspired by our book, Coaching Better Athletes
Part 1 of a 3 part series
"Greatness is forged through practice, it doesn’t just happen."
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what separates a good athlete from a great one? Is it raw talent, or can athleticism be built from the ground up? Greatness is forged through practice, it doesn’t just happen. In this first post of a 3 part series, we’ll explore how to create athletes, regardless of innate talent. We will also discuss some universal drills that should be the cornerstone of any athletic development program.
Are Athletes Born or Made?
The question of whether athletes are born or made is a bit of a trick. It’s not a simple yes-or-no answer—it’s both! Some people are born with natural gifts, like speed or coordination, but that doesn’t mean athleticism is out of reach for others. Qualities like speed, strength, agility, flexibility, and balance can all be developed through training. Universal drills—exercises designed to enhance foundational movement skills across sports—are the key to unlocking this potential. Whether you’re a young athlete starting out or a coach shaping the next generation, you should know about these types of drills.
What Are Universal Drills?
Universal drills are versatile exercises that improve some or all aspects of athleticism. Regardless of your sport or activity, universal drills will help sharpen the skills you need to sharpen to become a more effective athlete. Think of them as the building blocks for athletic success. They’re not sport-specific but provide a foundation that applies to any athletic pursuit. For example, a drill like jumping jacks is very simple, but believe it or not, they are great for developing coordination at the right developmental stage. Other exercises like squats, when done correctly, build strength and stability—skills every athlete needs.
Side Note: You might think that these are very simple drills and that you would be wasting your time teaching them. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Just give it a shot at your next practice. Ask your players to do some jumping jacks and some squats. Be prepared to see some pretty interesting techniques. I can tell you from years of experience as a coach and a gym teacher that most individuals do not know how to squat properly. If you are instructing athletes in any capacity, you should know how to properly teach a squat.
Why the Basics Matter
By focusing on fundamental movements, universal drills:
Enhance Performance: They refine the mechanics of squatting, running, jumping, and changing direction.
Reduce Injury Risk: Better movement patterns mean less strain on joints and muscles.
Build Confidence: Mastering these skills gives athletes a deeper understanding of their bodies and how they move within their sport.
Support Long-Term Growth: Early exposure to varied drills (especially in kids) leverages the brain’s plasticity, setting the stage for advanced skills later. It really is amazing what happens to the brain when the body becomes physically literate.
Obviously, universal drills alone won’t make you an elite athlete. They’re just one piece of a larger puzzle. We’ll explore that further in the next post of this series.
"Universal drills should be the bedrock of any athletic development program."
What now?
Start incorporating universal drills into your practices/training to build a strong athletic foundation. Try simple movements like squats jumping jacks to get started. If they are ready for more complicated movements, begin to explore those.
Remember
Universal drills should be the bedrock of any athletic development program. They help athletes of all ages and skill levels improve their movement skills and physical attributes. While natural talent gives some a head start, anyone can become more athletic with the right training. In Part 2, we’ll dive into how to organize these drills into a training program and why tailoring them to an athlete’s needs is critical. Stay tuned!
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