Coach Tee's Corner

  Why Speed and Strength Training Should Be the Priority Over Sport-Specific Skill Training In the world of youth, high school, and even collegiate athletics, there's a growing misunderstanding about what truly sets elite athletes apart from the rest. While skill training, dribbling a basketball, swinging a bat, throwing a football, or shooting a soccer ball, is undeniably important, there is a foundational level of physical ability that underpins every single skill: the athlete’s speed, strength, and overall movement efficiency. This is why performance training, which includes speed, strength, agility, and power development, should be the priority before and even alongside sport-specific skill work. Skill Doesn’t Matter If You Can’t Move Let’s start with a simple truth: the best athletes in any sport tend to be the fastest, strongest, and most explosive. Coaches at the collegiate and professional levels often say, “I can teach you how to play the game, but I can’t teach you how...

  When you go to buy a car, there's usually a sticker on the window showing a picture of a gas pump. On one side, it might say "30 MPG highway" and "12 MPG city." This means you’ll burn more gas driving in the city due to all the stopping and starting, slowing down and speeding up. Similarly, it seems that colleges are more concerned with “highway MPG”,  or how an athlete performs in a straight line than with “city MPG,” which reflects how athletes handle deceleration, acceleration, and changes of direction. Don’t get me wrong , I’m not placing all the blame on strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches. More often than not, the push for more conditioning drills or heavy lifting comes from the sport coaches. But what’s often overlooked is the importance of teaching speed mechanics: acceleration, top-end speed, and proper deceleration, that will help the endurance of the athlete throughout the game and the season.  Take the Manchester run, for example. In this d...

So, an article came out about FIFA finally investigating the link between a woman's menstrual cycle and ACL tears.  Doctor Sarah Long and I talked about this on an Instagram live in October 2023.   The menstrual cycle affects female athletes in various ways due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly involving estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can influence muscle, ligament, and tendon strength throughout the cycle. Here's how and why: 1. Hormonal Fluctuations Across the Menstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle typically lasts around 28 days and can be divided into three main phases: - Follicular phase (Day 1–14): Begins with menstruation; estrogen gradually increases. - Ovulation (Around Day 14): Estrogen peaks; surge in luteinizing hormone (LH). - Luteal phase (Day 15–28): Progesterone rises; estrogen drops slightly and then rises again. These hormonal changes affect connective tissues and muscles in several ways. 2. Estrogen and Tissue Laxity Estrogen has been shown ...

In recent years, the world of athletic training has undergone significant transformations, largely thanks to technological advancements. One of the most impactful innovations has been the rise of online speed training programs. These digital platforms have enabled female athletes to enhance their performance from anywhere at any time, breaking down geographical and logistical barriers. Speed training is essential for athletes in virtually every sport, from soccer to track and field, as it boosts agility, power, and overall performance. Online speed training offers numerous benefits, especially for female athletes, and here's a closer look at how it helps. 1. Convenience and Flexibility One of the most notable advantages of online speed training is the convenience it provides. Female athletes, especially those balancing school, work, or family commitments, often struggle to find time for traditional in-person training sessions. Online training offers a flexible alternative by allowi...

  From Pro Athlete to Pro Trainer: Unleashing the Power of Experience in Athletic Training Becoming a professional athlete takes years of dedication, discipline, and relentless drive. The hours I spent perfecting technique, pushing through mental and physical limits, and competing at the highest level created a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can be harnessed powerfully. Like many retired athletes, I found a new calling as a professional trainer, aka Strength and Conditioning Coach, imparting my wisdom to aspiring athletes and helping them reach their full potential. In this article, I will explore the remarkable transition from pro athlete to pro trainer and how leveraging my experiences helped shape the future of athletic training. Drawing from my own personal triumphs, challenges, and insights gained throughout my career, I feel I offer a unique perspective that simply can't be replicated. The benefits of being a pro athlete in the field of training Transitioning from pro...

The Hidden Dangers of Overtraining for Athletes: Understanding the Risks and Prevention Strategies Athletes are known for their relentless drive and commitment to improving performance. Whether it’s running faster, jumping higher, lifting heavier, or mastering their sport’s specific skills, they push their bodies to the limit. However, this quest for excellence can sometimes backfire, leading to a condition known as overtraining . Overtraining is a silent yet dangerous force that can derail an athlete’s career and progress if not addressed early on. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what overtraining is, how it affects athletes, the risks involved, and most importantly, how athletes can prevent it while still achieving peak performance. What Is Overtraining? Overtraining occurs when an athlete exceeds their body's ability to recover from intense physical activity. Training hard is crucial for performance gains, but when the body doesn’t get enough time to repair and adapt, it can ...

Unlocking Speed: Mastering the Three Keys to a Perfect 40-Yard Dash First let me say, that I am NOT a huge fan of the 40-yard dash, however, I do understand that it is "thee" measuring tool for high school and college players trying to achieve their dreams of playing in the big leagues. If you're a serious athlete looking to improve your speed and agility, then you've come to the right place. In this article, we will unlock the secrets to mastering the three essential keys that will help you achieve a perfect 40-yard dash.  Many of these secrets I used to help me go from a 4.7 to consistently running a 4.4.   From proper sprinting form and technique to explosive starts and acceleration, this article will cover everything you need to know to shave seconds off your 40-yard dash time. No more wasting hours on inefficient training methods or wondering what you're doing wrong. It's time to unlock your speed potential and dominate the competition. So, are you ready...