A "Training Philosophy?" Maybe...

I'm often asked what All-Star's training philosophy is. I'm not quite sure how to answer most of the time.

I think some people want to hear that we push athletes past their limitations. This is true, but not in the "whip them into shape" way some folks expect.

Some people may want to hear that we nurture and support our athletes. This is also true, but there's nothing soft-hearted about it.

I think Vince Lombardi and John Wooden had "philosophies" close to ours. They each believed that athletes are individuals and should be respected as such. They knew they needed to kick some butt and pat some backs, as needed.

Sometimes, the same athlete needs each of those - depending on the situation.

So what do I believe? I believe in coaching the athlete who is in front of me. Whether it's an adult, a high school athlete, a division I scholarship athlete or a 7 year old, they are all different people on different days and at different times.

They do have one thing in common, however. I will get the best from them if they know that I love and respect them - and that I expect their best, always.

I don't know if that's a "training philosophy," but it is a small and important part of what I believe.

What do you believe? I'd love to hear from you.

Is Cheerleading the Most Hazardous of All Sports?

While reading up on the whole "Is cheerleading a sport?" debate, I came across a few interesting factoids that seem to be overlooked. (Btw, cheer IS a sport - you train to create precise "plays" and you get scored on it...'nuff said)

According to this article http://www.nationalcheersafety.com/cheerisasport.pdf, "71% of catastrophically injured female college athletes are cheerleaders" - Mueller F. O., Cantu R. C. Twenty-Sixth Annual Report for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Fall 1982–Spring 2008. Chapel Hill, NC: National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research; 2008.

Ankle, knee, shoulder and back injuries make up approximately 50% of all injuries to cheerleaders. (Several sources, including the American Association of Pediatrics and the National CheerSafety Foundation.

Unfortunately, head and neck trauma and spinal injuries from falls make up a significant portion of the remaining 50%.

The good news here? The ankle, knee, shoulder and back injuries that occur most frequently in cheer are eminently preventable with the proper kinds of strength, power, flexibility and core training!

When you employ the concepts and techniques of integrated sports fitness to the cheerleader's body and sports performance, joint stabilization and overall strength is greatly enhanced and cheer skills get sharper. The net result is the virtual elimination of non-contact joint injuries!

That's great news for cheerleaders AND those who love and support them!

Want to know more about how to cheer better and with fewer injuries? Contact me or give All-Star Sports Academy a call at 732-597-3725 and we'll be happy to help.Cheer on - injury free!

Phil Hueston, NASM-PES, IYCA-YFS
All-Star Sports Academy

http://www.allstarsportsacademynj.com

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