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It seems that each summer there are more and more sports camps being offered. Colleges and high schools around the country are putting on 2- to 5-day camps either locally and nationally. Believe it or not, I think more high schools should be offering athletic speed camps.
Kids are learning to play more sports and learning at a younger age. This is awesome. The more kids are involved in sports, the better. Sports give kids a way of staying physically fit, learning how to work with others, experiencing competition and handling winning and losing. But I would like to see more high schools offer speed camps geared toward developing athletic movement skills.
When young kids go out for a sport, they learn how to move for that sport. But they don’t really learn how to move properly in general. In other words, a hockey player learns how to skate efficiently for that sport. They get into positions that are specific to playing hockey and moving well on skates. The problem is if they never learn how to run, skip, move laterally, crossover, backpedal, and jump and land properly on dry land. They are missing some of the most foundational movement skills all kids should have. Speed camps can be the impetus for proper movement training in all kids.
Unfortunately, physical education in most states and schools is missing the boat. They have the great fortune of having a captive audience of young kids at least 2-3 time per week (at least they should have them 2-3 time per week, more like 4-5 times should be the norm) and basic movement skills are not being instructed. However, if the physical education and athletic coaches would band together and organize several speed camps throughout the year, they could combat the lack of movement skills in our youth.
Speed camps can run from one week to 12 weeks. The key is to focus on youngsters learning proper speed skills. Think about it. If a school could run a series of speed camps throughout the year for elementary through high school, you would have one fantastic athletic sports program. Kids of all ages would learn how to move quicker, be stronger, be safer, and be more powerful. This would lead to greater confidence and performance on and off the field.
In order to do this each school should have a lead person. Someone who organizes the skills to be taught so there is a uniform program. I would even have some of the older athletes take part in preparing the camps for the younger athletes. This will lend itself to offering a student internship program.
You see, a high school speed camp program can be beneficial in many ways, but most importantly would teach the youngsters how to move so they can reach their athletic potential and be safe. Have fun and enjoy the process. If you want a sound resource to build you athletic speed skills, visit www.SportsSpeedEtc.com and check out Ground Breaking 2 and many of the other resources that are beneficial to beginning your program.
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Ground
Breaking 2
Ground Breaking 2 will make you into the guru on coaching athletic speed. Not only will you be able to evaluate athletic skills such as; many forms of cutting, acceleration, deceleration/change of direction, jumping/landing, first step quickness in any direction, lateral speed mechanics, tactical quickness, retreating skills, and so much more, you will also be able to correct your athletes on the spot with highly targeted coaching cues. Your athletes will love you!
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