MOVING BACKWARD TO GO FORWARD
As a teacher, coach, athlete and lifelong learner I must admit that moving up through the teaching and coaching ranks from Elementary School to the Collegiate Level has left me looking backwards in order to provide plans for optimal development of young athletes.

After working at the Collegiate Level for a few decades, I am finding my return to working with high school/jr. high athletes involves looking "way back" for the correct approach towards building a strong foundation for athletic development.

The trend towards "Early Specialization" of youth in a sport or two has taken the place of teaching "fundamental movement skills'  and basic biomotor qualities and movement patterns FIRST. Squat, hinge, push, pull, crawl, skip, run, climb, jump, hop and combinations of all PROVIDE the essential foundation for building the highest pyramid of athletic development for each individual.

It is the purpose of this Blog to provide parents, coaches, young athletes and teachers with access to information on RETURNING TO THE BASICS before the "rush to early sport specialization".

Essentially, Diet, Sleep, Posture, Teaching Methods (pedagogy), psychology, movement education and motivation will make up most of the information I hope to share.

In this "crazed rush" to early Sport Specializtion, we must take a step back and ask "if we expect every sports-specific action or posture to be executed efficiently, consistently and resiliently, we must provide all children with the widest and deepest "movement vocabulary"BEFORE specificity begins. A school curriculum that guarantees this "movement vocabulary" plus the practices of good posture and the development of basic fitness to provide a work capacity for play SHOULD be the foundation of Physical Education at all Elementary and Junior High Schools.

Check out this School's Posture Education emphasis!

If we cannot "influence" this type of focus in the primary years then let's substitute the video games for the Jump Rope, Monkey Bars, BMX bikes, roller skates and progress to Skate Boards, Snow Boards, Surf Boards, Tree Climbing, Rock Climbing, Mt. Biking, Hiking and Swimming.

It is a simple matter of providing a balance of many activities and allowing children to "explore" various movements, develop strength and range of motion in all three planes from a variety of "PLAY" and movement exploration. LET THE KID'S PLAY!!! Sandbox to sandlot to A.T.&T just doesn't happen when 6 year olds are subjected to "sports training" before they have the basic motor skills.