July 16, 2011
Choose the right conditioning coach
by Dr. Daniel McGovern/
While some youth and high school players are participating in summer tournaments, the “offseason” has begun for most lacrosse players. Offseason is a good time to develop and work on lacrosse skills and an important time for strength and conditioning.
An early offseason strength and conditioning program can be designed to address any injuries and/or correct any physical imbalances that may have developed over the course of the season.
As the offseason leads into the preseason, there are many specific training goals that must be included to properly prepare the lacrosse athlete for the competitive season. These goals can be individual or team driven. An example may be to increase lateral speed, increase lean body mass, and/or improve dynamic balance. Other goals may be more sport-specific, such as increasing shot velocity.
The contemporary lacrosse strength and conditioning program is a complex blend of proper coaching and manipulation of training variables (volume, intensity, rest, etc.) to achieve the designated goals for the team and athlete.
Over the years, dozens of parents have asked how to choose a strength and conditioning coach for their son or daughter who plays lacrosse.
The sports-training field has grown significantly in recent years. It seems that every gym or personal training studio now offers sports training. There are now “yoga for athletes” classes, and “boot camps for athletes,” to name a few. Having more options is a positive, but athletes and parents should maintain a buyer-beware mentality. As in any business, there are some good strength and conditioning coaches, some average ones and some not-so-good ones.
Before choosing a strength and conditioning coach, determine what the athlete needs. Many college players may have a program designed by the school’s strength and conditioning staff. As a result, these athletes do not require someone to design a program but need a coach who can assist in the proper execution of the program, teaching proper and safe technique of a specific exercise or modifying an exercise if necessary.
Most young lacrosse players will not have that coach’s program, however, and will require a coach to design and implement a plan. If an athlete has an injury that must be addressed in the training program, that must be considered in the selection process.
After the needs of the athlete are determined, consider the following guidelines for selecting your strength and conditioning coach:
►Confirm that the coach has at least a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university. Their degree should be in exercise science, kinesiology, biomechanics or another major that’s related to exercise or sports medicine, such as physical therapy or athletic training.
►Verify that the coach is certified by a reputable organization. For strength and conditioning coaches who work with lacrosse players, the Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is, in my opinion, the most reputable certification. Certifications provided by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) also are highly regarded in the field. In today’s Internet world, it can be easy for someone to get a personal training credential from a non-reputable source.
►Ask another parent of a friend or teammate for a recommendation.
►Ask a local physical therapist or athletic trainer to recommend a competent strength and conditioning coach. He or she also may be able to tell you whom to avoid based on injuries they have seen resulting from improper or poor coaching!
►Don’t get caught up in the facility. Good strength and conditioning coaches can get results without a lot of high-tech or fancy equipment.
►The strength and conditioning coach should have a solid understanding of the physical demands of lacrosse. He or she does not have to know all the rules of the game but should know the difference in positional demands (midfield versus attack or defense).
As an athlete or parent who is selecting and paying for a strength and conditioning program and athletic coaching, be sure to do your homework. Hopefully, these guidelines will help you make the proper decision.
This article originally appeared in the July 2011 issue of New England Lacrosse Journal.
Dr. Daniel McGovern is a board certified sports physical therapist and the clinical director of Prescription Orthopedic and Sports Therapy (P.O.S.T.) in Cohasset, Mass. He can be reached at feedback@laxjournal.com
