What young athletes actually need
Most young athletes do not need a more exotic program. They need to get strong in the basic patterns, learn to land and decelerate without their knees caving, sleep more than they think is necessary, and eat enough to support the work. Do those four things consistently for a year and the athlete who comes out the other side looks different on the field.
The problem is that “the basics, done consistently, with a coach watching” is exactly what most athletes never get. They get YouTube programs, crowded team lifts with no eyes on technique, or nothing at all.
How I coach athletes
I am a competitive athlete myself. I train year-round, I peak for competition, and in 2026 I won the NPC Missouri State Men’s Physique Overall Championship at Masters age against open competitors. I hold myself to the standards I set for the athletes I coach, and they know it. That changes the room.
Sessions are built on:
- Technique before load. An athlete earns weight on the bar by moving well. No exceptions, no ego lifting.
- Sport calendar awareness. In-season training maintains, off-season training builds. The plan knows which season it is.
- Durability work. Hamstrings, hips, ankles, and trunk. The unglamorous work that keeps athletes on the field.
- Standards and accountability. Athletes track their numbers and chase them. Progress is visible, which is why they keep showing up.
For parents
You will always know what your athlete is doing and why. If something is outside my lane, like an injury that needs a medical professional, I will say so immediately and point you to the right person. Training happens in the Alton and Godfrey area, with remote programming available for athletes who train at school. Start with an application and tell me about your athlete.
