http://improvingathletes.com Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:23:07 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We do things  a bit different from what most people do when the season comes to an end. Some people get right into heavy lifting, others take a few weeks off. Here is what we like to do. Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/workouts/post-season-training-for-young-athletes/ After 100,000 hits on youtube, we thought we would show you this again! We train agility in two different ways: Pattern and Reactive. Pattern Agility is following a pre-set outline of where to move and focusing on performing that outline as fast as possible to improve agility. This form of agility is necessary for an athlete [...]]]> http://improvingathletes.com/reactive-agility/4-corner-agility-drill/ Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/horizontal-push/pushup-progression-for-young-athletes/ A super-athletic movement we love is the Tuck Jump. You can do them standing over an imaginary hurdle, over a real hurdle, over a rope, holding a piece of pvc, almost anywhere. Here is a quick video of a huge Tuck Jump by an NFL Safety: PS – All the action is in the first 2 seconds. Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/vertical-jump/jump-over-the-competition-literally/ Band rows are an alternative to a DB or BB row and provide an awesome contraction at the end. Try them for your horizontal pull. You will love them! Buy bands HERE Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/posture/band-rows-horizontal-pull/ The snatch is easier to learn and teach than the clean yet most athletes do not even use it. Check out Tyler performing some snatches from the hang position. Move fast and blast the weight up. GEEEYAH. PS. Don’t lift in khakis! Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/workouts/do-not-fear-the-snatch/ Box jumps are great for increasing power and explosiveness. Josh demonstrates some double leg jumps as well as some single leg variations. Add them to your lower body/squat day for some sick gains on your vertical. Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/workouts/box-jumps-for-power-and-explosion/ This post comes from Alan Stein. Coach Stein is the owner of Stronger Team and the Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the nationally renowned, Nike Elite Montrose Christian Mustangs boy’s basketball program. He recently wrote a post about finishing strong. Mental toughness and character come out when you are fatigued. [...]]]> http://improvingathletes.com/character-development/finish-strong/ What we listen to when we lift. Send us your favorite lifting music so we can run through brick walls too! Get hyped up and throw some weight around (there is some profanity so beware): Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/workouts/training-music/ The fact that you have the opportunity to participate, train and compete in a sport you love is reason enough to give it your best every day. If you still need motivation to get after it, watch this clip. It is the best 5 minute invesment you can make. Friends: ]]> http://improvingathletes.com/character-development/need-motivation-to-train/