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Raise the Floor, Not the Ceiling

Raise the Floor, Not the Ceiling

If you've been on the forum for a few minutes, you've heard the term "Raise the floor, not the ceiling". This is a folksy way of reminding you to build a base of training before you worry about your 1RM or anything similar. Too many of us don't spend enough time training consistently and yet we believe we are "owed" strength. Your current effort level affords you exactly what you've earned.  Here's a couple ideas/examples that will support the idea 
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Training Questions Regarding Young Athletes

Training Questions Regarding Young Athletes

I'm amazed at how many people train kids like they are Olympic level athletes who need some advanced programming/training.  It is also equally obnoxious to train them like they are elderly or made of glass, having entire workouts of pre-hab, rehab and balance work.  If you are an athlete who hasn't mastered basic calisthenics, running and bodyweight movements, you better build your base before you try to touch the clouds.  No base = no foundation.  And a proper foundation isn't built on a Bosu.
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Realities of Training High School Athletes

Realities of Training High School Athletes

Understand that there are many different ways to train an athlete; there are many different coaches that use varying training programs to train their athletes. Not acknowledging this violates Jim Wendler's Coaching Rule #1
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Same Goal, Different Road

Same Goal, Different Road


Athletes from The Past talk brazenly about their conditioning and workouts; all done supposedly to get them in great shape and turn them into stronger players (physically and mentally). There seems to be a premium on Mental Toughness amongst people from The Past.
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11 Pearls of Wisdom for New Trainers and Coaches

11 Pearls of Wisdom for New Trainers and Coaches

Question: From your experience as a strength coach can you give some advice for a young strength coach just coming up in the industry?

Answer:

I'll list several things, in no particular order that would help any person be a better coach.

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London Red Raider Football - Original Krypteia Team

London Red Raider Football - Original Krypteia Team

Since about halfway through the 2016 Two-a-Days, I have been working with the London High School football team.  Matt Goodwin at Elitefts originally asked if I'd be interested in helping them out.  I called the head coach, Kyle Cutler and...

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Mike Alstott - www.jimwendler.com - In Season Training of the Multi-Sport HS Athlete

In Season Training for the Multi-Sport HS Athlete

I'm going to be speaking at a clinic. The topic is "Training the Multi-Sport HS Athlete." Anyway, I have my own experiences obviously, but was wondering since you are training HS kids now, have you had any experiences with kids who are multi sport? Just wanted your input.

So this answer is going to be a little disjointed and done in a bullet-point fashion. So these aren't listed in priority, just how I thought of them.

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    5/3/1 For College & Pro Baseball

    5/3/1 For College & Pro Baseball

    I recently got a text from a good friend of mine who is a university strength and conditioning coach. He is the head coach for all sports and works directly with the baseball team. For 2.5 months (about 3 cycles) he used the 5/3/1 BBB training plan and reported the following...

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