A lot of parents have questions about training their child at a young age. There has always been a stigma surrounding the idea that strength training will stunt growth of a child or even cause injuries. When done correctly, strength training can have many benefits for youth athletes. Here are some guidelines when working with young athletes.

• Start with basics and build from there
• Design the training program based on the athlete’s previous training experience (if any) and athletic need
• Train different motor patterns along with focusing on muscle imbalances
• Slowly increase volume and intensity to avoid injuries
• Teach proper technique and form
• Encourage young athletes to try a variety of different sports
• Have fun, you want to the athletes to have a great experience

Spencer Haywood, M.S. CSCS