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I.T. Antigha works as the VertiMax Team Community Liaison. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.

I.T. and Al dive into this week’s exciting topic – the new VertiMax app VertiCoach. VertiCoach is used by athletes, coaches, parents, trainers and elite sports performance coaches worldwide to quickly and easily measure, track and improve your vertical jump performance. I.T. is using the app in the field with coaches and trainers and is back on the podcast to answer questions about the app, highlight the challenges that it solves, and share the simple features of this powerful tool.

Key Takeaways:

[1:41] Market challenges that initiated developing VertiMax app.

[3:48] Details of the VertiCoach app.

[5:21] The camera records and measures each athlete’s jumps.

[6:16] Audio corrections ensure correct and optimal usage.

[7:19] The final jump score gamifies the process.

[8:39] Optimized setup only requires a phone and a tripod.

[10:09] Initial feedback from early users is positive.

[11:54] How to find the VertiCoach app.

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Tweetables:

“There’s a need for more data so people can be more informed about what their athletes are doing and how they’re performing.”

“Early users are excited – this is something they can seamlessly incorporate into their training.”

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Kelli Brightwell holds a Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Texas A & M University. Her passion for youth development led her to become an instructor at Colorado State University-Pueblo, where she teaches courses in strength and conditioning, health and functional movement. She is also a Vertimax Master Trainer and Ambassador, teaching about programming, maintenance, and use of the Vertimax product line.

Al and Kelli continue their discussion about the importances of hands-on trainer training, and the role that in person experience plays in developing the most effective trainers and athletes. Kelli is a dedicated coach and trainer and she shares her enthusiasm for gaining knowledge and building up the next generation of athletes and trainers.

Key Takeaways:

[1:06] Kelli’s work as a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambassador and more.

[2:25] The legacy of Vertimax is built to last.

[4:06] Why is athletic and physiology education so important to Kelli?

[6:23] From kinesiology and sports performance education to hands on experience.

[8:28] Kelli’s greatest learning has happened by actually doing.

[9:40] As an educator, Kelli can clear up the field and explain the why behind training.

[11:57] The importance of in-person training and education.

[13:07] VertiMax training is fun.

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Tweetables:

“In this field, you have to have a lot of experience. You have to learn by doing.”

“As an educator, you’re able to better the field.”

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Kelli believes in the education of youth and has dedicated her life to being the coach and trainer that she didn’t have growing up. She highlights the importance of exposing kids to a variety of different physical activities and reducing the emphasis on specializing in one sport. She also shares what it means to her to be a Vertimax Master Trainer and Ambassador.

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] A little about Kelli and the many athletic avenues she pursues.

[3:52] Kelli’s early sports motivation was thwarted by ADHD.

[5:25] A PE teacher set Kelli on her path to athletic success.

[8:02] The danger of pushing kids to specialize in one sport too early.

[9:01] Kelli’s master trainer classes reward her just as much as her athletes.

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Tweetables:

“You don’t always need to be first place, but you need to try your best and work hard.”

“I want to be the person that I didn’t have as a youth.”

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; coaches looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or sports performance owners or trainers seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett helps answer some common questions about the popular VertiMax Raptors. At VertiMax, we have two popular Raptors, the original and the Raptor EX. Brett helps answer what the core differences between these two training systems are and what type of athlete would benefit the most from using the Raptor system in this quick 8 minute episode.

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] What’s the difference between the Raptor vs. the Raptor EX?

[2:15] What do the different color bands mean on the raptors?

[3:15] How far can the bands stretch?

[4:05] How do the Raptor’s generate resistance?

[5:45] Can you train your vertical jump on the Raptors?

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Tweetables:

“The thicker the bands, the thicker the resistance/more pounds."

"Raptors are a great tool for jumping, they’re not quite as good as the V series platform, but if you’re looking for speed training, it’s a great tool for that."

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Brett helps answer some common questions about the VertiMax V Series Platform, more specifically the V8 and V8X models. If you’ve ever been curious about buying one for yourself or for your gym, or aren’t sure if this product is right for you. This is the podcast you’ll want to listen to!

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] Are the VertiMax V Series platforms just for serious athletes?

[2:15] The VertiMax is perfect for any type of person looking to boost their physical fitness and conditioning.

[4:10] How heavy is the VertiMax V Series?

[5:30] Can the VertiMax platforms be used at home?

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Tweetables:

“If you want to get your kids faster and jumping higher, you can use the VertiMax at home."

"There’s information [on our website] that can walk you through how to unbox it and use it that same day."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett shares some of his favorite methods to increase hand-eye coordination that are both fun for young athletes and offer a great return on their efforts. There are many creative ways to test the body and create endurance and Brett shares a couple of his go-tos that always gets the brain and body flowing.

Key Takeaways:

[2:15] Brett talks about slamboards and whether it’s a good tool to use for training.

[3:25] How do you use a plyo box?

[4:10] How can you incorporate tennis balls into your workout and agility training?

[4:55] Agility ladders are still a staple in the agility sports world. Brett offers recommendations on how to use it.

[5:25] Another great training technique to use are mini hurdles.

[6:40] A lot of schools or gyms already have these pieces of equipment, which makes it easy to incorporate into your sports training program.

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Tweetables:

“Put your plyo box on the VertiMax, load the athlete at the waist, and do some explosive step ups."

"Any visual aids you can give the athletes when they’re training just helps with them adding one more level of intensity to their training as opposed to just strictly running."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Al and Brett sit down to talk about how to prevent injuries while playing the sport you love. Many parents and young athletes tend to hyper focus on improving their sports technique and work on specific sports-related drills, but this can lead to imbalances in the body. The guys share why it’s so important to take a sports performance approach that also works on the body and not just sports techniques in this week’s episode.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] A little bit about Brett and what he does at VertiMax.

[1:45] Brett just got back from the Sportsmith Speed Conference.

[3:05] What’s the difference between sports training vs. general fitness?

[4:25] Does sports performance training really prevent injuries?

[4:55] A good performance program will have the athlete strengthen all of their muscles.

[6:30] So many athletes prefer to focus on their sports skills, but it’s important to improve your body as well as your technique.

[6:55] Most sports performance training looks at the athlete as a whole.

[7:45] Let’s talk about the mental boost a good sports performance program can do.

[9:30]

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Tweetables:

“A lot of strength training should coordinate with the sport, whether it’s to increase their agility, power, speed, and injury prevention."

"A lot of athletes play their sport year round and just stick to that sport, and stats show those athletes are getting injured."

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Will Hitzelberger, as the Founder and President of SPECTRUM, has made significant strides in sports performance training, particularly in soccer. He is a VertiMax ambassador and has been a Certified VertiMax Master Trainer and Presenter, leveraging VertiMax equipment to redefine soccer training with innovative techniques.

Will sits down with Al to talk about what’s really lacking in soccer for the average athlete. Unfortunately, there is just not enough emphasis on strength & conditioning training and if you really want to become a high-level player, you have to make time outside of your club to get your body conditioned right.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] As a young father, how does Will think about sports and coaching differently?

[3:55] As a coach, how do you get an edge and become a great coach?

[6:10] Athletes have to incorporate more strength and conditioning training into their routine if they want to be high-level soccer players.

[8:00] What movements should soccer players be paying attention to?

[10:25] Don’t be afraid to get strong and ‘bulky’ in the sport.

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Tweetables:

“The game is just so much faster and stronger than it used to be. As important as it is to be fit, you have to get involved in a strength & conditioning program [not just cardio]."

"You have to seek out strength training outside of your club because it is a very important attribute to progressing in the sport now."

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In this episode, we learn about Will’s experience working with the Jamaican women’s national soccer team. At the beginning, Will had to learn how to work with the limited resources he had. Many of his players didn’t have proper shoes or even nutrition. He had to think outside of the box to get these women qualified for the World Cup.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] Will was the sports performance coach for the Jamaican women’s national soccer team.

[3:50] Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella Marley, is a big advocate and voice in the soccer community.

[5:30] Education is the name of the game when building up a sports team in a developing country.

[6:15] Will had to adapt a ‘no excuses’ mentality when it came to working with his limited resources.

[7:35] Lack of resources gives us something to fight for and strive for.

[10:10] Interested in working with foreign teams? Network, network, network.

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Tweetables:

“This isn’t something where there’s a roadmap to it [becoming an elite coach]. It is a little bit about who you know."

"When you fly to places like Haiti to qualify for a tournament, your equipment is going to go missing."

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In this episode, we learn a little bit about Will and some of his ambassador and master trainer duties at VertiMax. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and how it’s all been possible using VertiMax’s equipment and offers insight into why he loves working with the VertiMax brand.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] A little bit about Will.

[3:20] Will has four Spectrum facilities and helps athletes with resistance work, rehab, and more.

[4:25] Why did Will get into youth athletes?

[7:25] How did Will’s coaching center evolve over the years?

[11:15] Why does Will love using VertiMax?

[13:10] As a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambassador, what does an average day look like for Will?

[14:50] How do you become a master trainer/ambassador?

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Tweetables:

“Every trainer wants to open their own gym, cooks want to open their own restaurant, it’s glamorous to say, but it’s a lot different to actually open your own spot."

"I’m very passionate about education in our industry and VertiMax gives me the platform to do that."

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Itam (I.T.) Antigha, more commonly referred to as "I.T.", is one of the members of the VertiMax Team as part of the Inside Sales and Client Support team. He is responsible for supporting and serving the VertiMax community by organizing personalized visits to educate, engage and develop relationships with coaches, trainers, and athletes.

I.T. often helps clients with information around maintaining their Vertimax in the best condition possible. In this episode, he speaks with Al on some of the signs you need to be aware of when it comes to replacing your Vertimax resistance bands.

Key Takeaways:

[1:55] What’s the difference between a vertimax band and an average resistance band?

[3:50] On average, how long do Vertimax bands last?

[5:00] When does it make sense to change the bands? Are there signs to look out for?

[6:45] Can the client/owner change the bands themselves? Yes!

[8:40] How do you find replacement bands?

[10:15] It’s important to know that you’ll be replacing the set of bands with your Vertimax; not just one band.

[12:00] Need help? Send us an email or message! Happy to help!

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Tweetables:

“The more you maintain the bands after each use, the better it would be to you."

"If there are white fibers sticking out of your bands, that’s an indication that you want to change your band soon."

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I.T. is back with another informative episode with Al. They talk about how linebackers can improve their movements with specific drills that help them move in a versatile direction. Linebacker requirements have changed over the years, and are required to be developed into more speedy blockers. Here’s some drills to consider when you’re improving your linear and lateral movements.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] A little bit about I.T. and what he does at team Vertimax.

[1:50] Linebacker position in football has changed dramatically over the years.

[4:20] Being able to work forwards and backwards is key to a well-developed linebacker.

[4:35] I.T. explains the Angle Drill.

[5:55] Back peddle and shuffle drill.

[8:30] Open field tackling - what should players be aware of?

[12:10] I.T. shares why cutback drills are helpful for in-game practice.

[15:00] Want more football drill info? Download the Vertimax app!

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Tweetables:

“The game of football has become much more passing and running all over the field, the linebacker has to be a blend of athletic, fast, and also stopping the run."

"Linebackers are like hybrid safeties. Linebackers have shrunk in size over time. ."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Al and Brett talk about some different ways you can improve your volleyball game during the off-season. He just got back from a training camp session and has some interesting insights to share on what athletes are doing to improve their jumps, agility, and net drills in this week’s episode.

Key Takeaways:

[2:25] If you want to get far in volleyball, you need to jump high. You can’t forget this part during the off-season.

[3:45] Aside from using the VertiMax with multiple athletes, resistance bands are very helpful to target certain areas.

[4:55] Brett talks about why he likes to use the agility ladder.

[5:50] Passing the net drills and how to hone in on making your game more efficient.

[6:45] How do you best improve your blocking moves?

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Tweetables:

“Agility ladder is a great warm up drill to use to get your hips loose, your ankles, and helps you with your coordination. Super cheap and easy to move around."

"Resistance bands are small. You can hang them up on a wall. They are a cheap alternative to dumbbells."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Al and Brett talk about some of the fun ways you can get your kid excited and moving in youth baseball. Kids need to be engaged and their circummlum needs to be fun or else they’ll never want to go. Brett breaks down some routines for you to train to get children moving and consistent.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] What are some fun ways to train for youth baseball?

[1:50] Brett breaks down some fun baseball warmups.

[3:20] Best hitting drills you can use for your young athletes.

[6:35] Al loves seeing his kids have a relay race at the very end of each practice.

[7:30] If kids are just going through the motions, it gets boring for them.

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Tweetables:

“Run through first, that’s it. So the kids will run as fast as they can through first so that you can see who gets there the fastest."

"Their fun is part of the practice. A relay race is a great way to do that."

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Kerry Bennett is a VertiMax Master Trainer and Ambasador. Kerry is a former NFL player with the Washington Redskins and has successfully transitioned into a renowned sports performance coach. With a degree in kinesiology, he founded the Beast Bus, a mobile sports performance facility featuring advanced training equipment like VertiMax.

Al and Kerry talk about what it means to be a VertiMax trainer as well as a VertiMax ambassador. Kerry shares why he’s passionate about the VertiMax system and how it helps you stand out from a very saturated sports industry as a coach.

Key Takeaways:

[1:50] A little bit about Kerry and his athletic career.

[5:10] What does it take to be a VertiMax Master Trainer?

[7:55] Learn more about the VertiMax ambassador program.

[10:55] VertiMax trainer is unique in itself and separates you from other sports performance coaches.

[12:55] Kerry is also a community outreach partner in Texas. What has Kerry learned so far?

[16:40] Kerry loves being in this space because he’s always learning something new.

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Tweetables:

“You can make a business just using the VertiMax alone. If you’re a trainer just starting out, it’s portable and you can build your whole program around it."

"Anywhere from athlete, anywhere from general pop, you can create a fitness routine [with the VertiMax]. You can’t go wrong with it."

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Jennifer George is the Women’s Basketball Strength Coach at Rollins College as well as the Director of Sports Performance at Bishop Moore Catholic High School. Jennifer is also the Founder of Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, a youth organization based in Orlando, Florida.

Al and Jennifer talk about the difference between coaching high school vs. college teams on this week’s episode. Jennifer has also played internationally and has seen a wide range of students come through her doors. She shares what it takes to be a well-rounded coach at the university level that takes into account the different athletic needs with each of her students.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic career.

[1:35] What are some of the differences between playing pro in the US vs. internationally?

[4:45] Jennifer has coached both high school and college. What are some of the pros and cons of both?

[9:30] Jennifer is able to push college women a little harder than the highschool team due to the flexible schedule.

[10:10] In college, you have to adapt to new schedules, which can make training consistently a lot harder.

[10:40] Are you new to coaching? Find a mentor.

[12:10] There is no ‘right’ way to train. However, there is definitely a wrong way.

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Tweetables:

“Challenges at the highschool level are time and commitments. It’s basically 6am or after school, so you lose a lot of that time."

"The challenge at college level is the actual sport and coaches canceling on a whim. You have a plan and the next thing you know, the practice is canceled."

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Al and Jennifer talk about women’s sports and certain challenges that women face when they’re playing a sport to its fullest potential. Although the United States has done better when it comes to bridging the gap between male and female sports, it’s still not perfect.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic career.

[3:35] Jennifer shares the moment she knew she wanted to make basketball her career.

[9:00] What kind of challenges has Jennifer faced in her sport’s career?

[11:20] 40% of girls drop out of sports in middle school due to lack of opportunities.

[12:50] Representation matters at all levels, and not just in sports.

[14:30] Jennifer is passionate about closing the gap between male and female sports in the Caribbean. She explains how it’s different over there than it is in the United States.

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Tweetables:

“I had a passion, I would do it for free. I love training people."

"40% of girls drop out of sports because of lack of opportunities and lack of skill sets."

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Jennifer joins Al to discuss her Foundation and why there’s a deep need to help underprivileged players that are on sports scholarships. Sports have the ability to elevate your mindset and your quality of life, and Jennifer shares why it’s important to encourage our youth of today to continue playing in these sports programs.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] A little bit about Jennifer and her athletic history.

[3:20] Why did Jennifer Found the Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation?

[4:50] So few go on to play in the WNBA/NBA, but that shouldn’t deter people from playing sports. Sports can teach you so much.

[7:15] What’s next for Jennifer and her Foundation?

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Tweetables:

“Even though girls can come or athletes can come to the states to have a better life for themselves, they still need help once they’re here."

"40% of girls drop out of sports after middle school."

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Mario Garza is the Director of Baseball Development at the New York Yankees. As a former pro baseball athlete for the Houston Astros, Mario uses his expertise to help develop baseball players to maximize their full potential and make them better.

Mario joins Al to discuss drill strategies for different baseball positions. He offers advice for both infield and outfield athletes looking to up their game and increase their explosive power. You don’t want to miss this quick 15-minute episode!

Key Takeaways:

[1:35] A little bit about Mario and his work at the New York Yankees.

[2:45] What kind of drills should infield baseball athletes be practicing?

[3:45] It’s incredibly important to practice throwing at different angles.

[5:00] Mario explains what a game clock drill is.

[6:05] What drills should outfield athletes be practicing?

[8:25] You pay rent on speed. What does Mario mean by this?

[10:10] You have to actively practice increasing your speed. Don’t take it for granted.

[12:45] Mario offers tricks on how you can make your bat a little heavier to train speed.

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Tweetables:

“When we’re playing catch, I think it’s important to move our feet while catching. We’re never going to make a throw from a standstill position."

"Put the constraint of a game clock on the player so that they have to make a play quicker or slower depending on the runner."

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Mario joins Al to share insights into what it takes to nurture the next generation of MLB stars. They dive into the evolving landscape of player development, the role of a development coach, and Mario offers advice for parents on fostering athletic talent in young children in this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] A little bit about Mario and his work at the New York Yankees.

[3:30] What does a player development coach mean?

[5:35] How has player development improved over the years?

[7:50] How should parents be thinking about cultivating athletic talent in their children?

[12:20] Is there a blueprint on what the MLB is looking for or does it depend on each team?

[13:10] 8 months out of the year, you’re in full competition mode.

[13:40] It’s important to note that baseball is a game of recovery.

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Tweetables:

“A player development coach is looking at anything and everything that we can develop in an athlete. At the end of the day, our job is to maximize the value and potential."

"The crucial window of 8-12, you can actually impact the development of the athlete and their general athleticism."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett and Al discuss ways to get your athlete warmed up and ready during football season. Here are some quick and easy runningback drills that you can practice. They offer different methods and variations so that you can trigger both lateral and vertical movements.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] The jumpcut drill.

[3:20] Rapid response line drill.

[4:25] The Lateral drill.

[5:35] Cone hop variations.

[6:35] The sweep drill.

[7:45] The VertiMax app also has a complete football training program!

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Tweetables:

“Have your athlete run towards that cone and push off one foot to go left or right and then have them sprint to finish while performing a touchdown."

"Have your athlete shuffle back and forth over the line. It helps get their athletes' feet warmed up."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett and Al discuss how the VertiMax Raptor is different from standard resistance bands and how you can leverage this equipment to take your performance to the next level. The Raptor does so much more than just look fancy and both Brett and Al dive into how you can hence your speed, agility, and more in this week’s podcast.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] A little bit about Brett and the work he does at VertiMax.

[2:35] What’s so great about the Vertimax Raptor?

[4:35] Forward acceleration is a great exercise to practice on the Raptor.

[7:50] What’s the backpedal drill and how can athletes benefit from this movement?

[9:15] How do you perform an ankle-loaded lateral drill?

[10:45] Brett explains the final exercise you can do to improve your resistance on the Raptor.

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Tweetables:

“The faster you can stop, the faster you can move, and you’ll just be a better athlete. That’s what the forward acceleration drill will do to help you."

"Not many people train this because it’s almost impossible to train with regular resistance bands, but with VertiMax technology, you can start the resistance off right away [at your ankles]."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett and Al discuss why it’s beneficial to get your child to participate in multiple different sports. Sometimes children need variety and to also explore what they do or don’t like. There’s so many great sports out there, so don’t limit them to just one thing.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] What sports should kids play?

[3:05] Children can get burnt out playing only one sport.

[4:30] Playing multiple sports helps reduce injuries.

[6:15] When you play multiple sports, you also keep your options open.

[7:15] As you get older, around highschool, then it makes sense to focus on one sport.

[10:25] Sometimes your kid can be great at the technicalities of the sport, but not be very athletic.

[10:55] Sports don't have to be so competitive. It’s also about having fun and trying new things.

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Tweetables:

“Kids are built for variety. They need different things and different coaches."

"My kid ended up doing a sport that I had known nothing about. Give your kid a chance and try other sports."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett discusses five best ways to approach your athletes with kindness and how to build a meaningful connection with them while you are training them. Coaches might not realize the impact they have on these athletes and you can never really tell what’s actually going on at home. Coaches can be that one parental-figure or friend for that person. Here are some tips to bridge the gap between you and your team.

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] Here’s why you want to connect first and then coach second.

[3:15] Take some time to just listen to them. It goes a long way.

[4:45] What are some of the best ways to show an athlete you care?

[5:15] Be someone they can trust.

[6:25] Respect your fellow human. It is a two way street.

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Tweetables:

“As a coach, you really do have an impact on these athletes."

"You can’t have that military mindset of shut up and do what I tell you. Listen to your athletes."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett is back on the podcast to talk about the pros and cons of a youth football camp. Both Brett and Al are fathers and coaches, so they weigh in on how your child might most benefit from a camp when it comes to their athletic ability as well as building life-long skill sets such as leadership and team collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] What are some of the benefits of a youth football camp?

[3:55] A good youth football camp will help kid improve their discipline and work ethic.

[5:20] There are a wide variety of different mentors and role models at these camps that your kid will be able to get exposed to and see their different leadership styles.

[7:10] A good youth camp will provide your child with a lot of great networking options and, of course, a new friend group.

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Tweetables:

“There will be kids from other areas, which will bring out some healthy competition for them."

"A youth camp gives your kids a chance to meet other people that are like-minded and they like football. This opens up a ton of opportunities for networking."

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Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Levels and is currently in his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching.

In this episode, Mike shares what coaches need to be thinking about when they’re training their athletes during the off-season. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense for them to go directly into an intensive cardio program and there are other things to think about before putting together a workout plan. Mike breaks down his process in this week’s episode.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] What does Mike like to think about when putting together an off-season program?

[2:30] Sometimes Mike just opens the gym up and the team is ready to go, but if he’s working with younger athletes, he has to be much more diligent in training them.

[4:25] In the spring and summer, Mike likes to focus on strength and explosiveness for his athletes. In the fall, there’s more of a cardio focus.

[5:35] What are some common challenges that Mike runs into during off-season training?

[8:05] Remember, trust your instincts and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!

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Tweetables:

“It takes us about 3 weeks to a month to evaluate the players that are coming back."

"The best teams are the teams that are player-lead. If they always rely on me, they’re going to turn me out."

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In this episode, Mike talks about some of the pros and cons of AAU Basketball and why a youth athlete might join a league that has had a bad reputation over the last few years. Is AAU worth it for an aspiring athlete? Mike answers these questions and more.

Key Takeaways:

[1:55] Unfortunately, AAU has a lot of controversy.

[3:35] Why does AAU have such a bad reputation?

[6:05] Athletes and parents need to be really mindful of why they’re playing at AAU and what some of their goals are.

[7:05] What are some of the benefits of joining a league like this?

[9:30] What kinds of questions do scouts ask the coaches before bringing on a kid?

[11:10] What age should your kid ideally be before they join the AAU?

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Tweetables:

“Kids have to be mindful of who they’re playing for and why that person is trying to coach them, and what they’re trying to get out of it. Is it in the best interest of the coach or the kid?"

"There are a lot of super talented kids out there that unfortunately don’t make it because they throw all their eggs in the wrong basket."

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In this episode, Mike gives his yearly plan to help condition highschool athletes for game time and offers his strategy to prevent injuries to the best of his ability during these intense games. He shares how he measures progress and how he educates new students coming into the basketball team for the very first time.

Key Takeaways:

[1:55] Mike got hit with a lot of injuries last year. It’s part of the game, but here’s how you can prevent it as much as you can.

[4:15] How does Mike measure progress?

[5:25] What is MIke’s overall yearly plan and schedule?

[6:25] What is Mike’s postseason plan and training schedule?

[8:55] What other considerations does Mike think about when he’s training his athletes?

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Tweetables:

“In September, we do an assessment week where we do a shuttle run, agility test, vertical tax, max squat, and max bench press."

"After October, we do the same physical tests to see where those same elements are."

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Mike Weaving is the Head Coach for the Sickles High School Men’s Basketball Program in Tampa, Florida. Mike has over 13 years of coaching basketball at the Middle and High School Level and is currently on his Fourth season with the Men’s high school team. Mike received a BS in exercise science and an MS in coaching.

In this episode, Mike shares his tips as a highschool coach on how he helps his students get the most out of their talent during game time. You should never underestimate the importance of balance and lower body strength when coaching basketball.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] A little bit about Mike and his experience with coaching basketball.

[2:20] What makes someone a good shooter?

[2:40] In order to do a good jumpshot, you need good balance and lower body strength.

[5:10] What are some of Mike’s favorite drills?

[6:15] Everything Mike trains for is for competitive purposes.

[7:25] You get more out of your athletes if there is a competitive element involved.

[8:05] Competition drives success!

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Tweetables:

“I think one of the most overlooked things about being a good shooter is being able to shoot in game-like situations. You have to be able to shoot on the move."

"I try to emulate our offense as best as I can and emulate our transition game as best as I can so the shots they’re getting in our drills are the same shots they’re going to get in the game."

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I.T. and Al understand that summer is coming, which also means your athletes’ sports season is winding down and coming to an end. How can young athletes still be ‘game-ready’ over the summer? I.T. shares some helpful exercises you can do for your specific sport at home without a lot of gym equipment in this week’s episode.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] As seasons are ending, what can parents do to help keep their young athletes’ in prime condition while they’re at home during the summer?

[2:00] Don’t have a full gym at home? Don’t worry. We’ve got alternatives.

[2:55] It’s important to first determine what your end-goal is. Is it to gain weight? Gain speed?

[3:35] Training is important, but you also shouldn’t slack on your nutrition and sleep.

[5:10] What are some good basic moves to focus on over the summer?

[6:10] What basic equipment should you pick up from the store?

[7:20] If you’re a basketball player, what exercises and movements should you focus on?

[8:30] If you play football, the types of exercises you do would be based on your position.

[9:50] What should athletes do if they play baseball?

[12:00] What are some of the recommended exercises volleyball players should do at home?

[13:10] Sumner is a busy time for everybody, but if you have big dreams and big goals, you need to make time to hone in on your skills.

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Tweetables:

“We are talking about training, but it also influences your nutrition. You need your sleep. All that stuff matters."

"If you’re looking to get faster, you have to train fast to be fast. Sprints with resistance, sprints without, and sprints while starting from the ground, etc."

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I.T. and Al share how the VertiMax can elevate an athlete’s volleyball game to the next level. Not only can it be used to train multiple players at a time, but it can show players in real-time how they’re body is improving with each exercise.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] Did you know you can train more than one athlete on the VertiMax at a time?

[3:25] You can also train different volleyball positions on the VertiMax.

[6:00] How do you develop maximum vertical explosiveness on the VertiMax?

[7:00] Why is creativity so important for a coach to have?

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Tweetables:

“If I do a demo with a kid, in a brief 20-30 minute workout, they know they’re getting better when they’re on the equipment."

"Creativity is a very necessary piece to develop because not everything can be pre-packaged to you and it’ll work."

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I.T. and Al share some tips they’ve received from basketball coaches around the country on what makes a good athletic coach. They share their top ten favorite tips on this week’s podcast. If you’re a new coach or even a seasoned pro, listen in for more to some great reminders on how to get the most out of your players.

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] Organization is key for any athletic coach!

[3:35] Players need to know you care about them in order for you to build trust.

[5:05] Don’t try to out coach the other coach. Practice will generate the results you want.

[6:10] Get to know your players to the best of your ability and then focus on getting everyone on the same page.

[7:45] Keep it simple and make sure your team is well-conditioned.

[9:00] You’re only as strong as your weakest link.

[10:45] Remember, you’re developing young men and women for success outside of the sport.

[13:35] Teach your athletes how to win in life.

[14:35] Refine the basics and always remind your athletes about the foundationals.

[15:40] Keep game plans simple.

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Tweetables:

“Building a trusting relationship opens the door to being able to coach kids to reach their full potential."

"The success of a team doesn’t fully rely on the talent, but the trust and commitment of the group to give up themselves for the betterment of everyone else."

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I.T. breaks down some of the common communication mistakes or pitfalls good coaches end up making. He also shares what coaches can do to receive feedback, incorporate it in a way an athlete feels heard, and five best ways a coach can build a better communication style with their athletes in this week’s podcast.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] The biggest way to improve your communication as a coach is by improving your listening skills.

[3:15] A good coach can read inbetween the lines between what their athlete is saying and what their body is also saying.

[5:15] It’s important to discern what type of athlete you’re coaching. What is their preferred communication style?

[7:45] It’s important to focus on getting better vs. getting good. I.T. explains what he means by that.

[8:55] Aim to be 1% better everyday.

[9:10] Why is it important to communicate some of your core values to your athletes?

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Tweetables:

“A lot of coaches are great speakers, but they may not be great listeners."

"There are days where your athlete won’t be feeling 100%. How you listen to them, and adjust accordingly, will build a better relationship with them."

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I.T. shares some important exercises athletes should focus on to get ready for race day. If you’re a track and field athlete then this is the episode for you! I.T. explains the most optimal drills to focus on for power, injury prevention, and strength.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] What track and field exercises should you do to get ready for race day?

[2:35] What is the 3-point star?

[5:45] Why is the box jump so effective?

[6:45] I.T. explains the hamstring pull drill.

[10:15] The VertiMax app has more drills and exercises for you!

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Tweetables:

“The box jump is going to be one of those elements that helps you produce power, which is important as a sprinter."

"The hamstring drill is a bit more advanced and for a stronger athlete. It’s not a drill I’d do with any youth athlete."

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I.T. comes on the show to describe in depth what the VertiMax V-Series Platform is and how it can help an athlete with their performance. Are you wondering what the differences are in each platform and which one you should pick? This is the episode for you!

Key Takeaways:

[1:50] What are the VertiMax V Series platforms?

[3:15] What’s the difference between VertiMax V8 and V8 EX?

[4:15] Why are the band lengths different and what benefits does it provide?

[6:00] What kind of athlete should use the V Series platforms?

[10:00] How do you change the resistance level on the V Series platforms?

[11:15] Are there training programs and educational resources available to better understand the platforms?

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Tweetables:

“The Vertimax V Series means you can train without increasing exponentially in resistance and useful load from the onset of your movement."

"You have to train fast to become fast. If you’re able to train further out with a useful load, you’ll be able to reach top-end speeds."

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I.T. and Al share some famous strength and conditioning coaches they’re fond of and like to follow on this week’s podcast. They talk about some of their favs like Cal Dietz, Eric Cressey, Michael Boyle, and Brett Bartholomew, and how they can up your coaching game.

Key Takeaways:

[2:35] Here’s some influential coaches you should be following and learning from on social media.

[3:35] Why should you follow Eric Cressey?

[4:10] Al shares why Michael Boyle is a top coach in the industry.

[4:55] I.T. explains why Brett Bartholomew is a great resource for coaches who want to communicate better.

[6:55] Who are some of your favorite coaches?

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@cal.dietz

@ericcressey

@michael_boyle1959

@coach_brettb

Tweetables:

“Cal’s program that he’s developed is one of the most influential programs out there to develop exclusive power and strength."

"Brett dives deep into communication because it’s often something we overlook."

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Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system. He teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.

Steve breaks down how an athlete can work on their acceleration as well as their deceleration movements within the sport of soccer. He also shares tips on how to unlock more explosive movements and what drills you should really focus on to get the maximum amount of power out of your body when it matters.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A little bit about Steve and today’s episode.

[2:35] What are some good deceleration drills an athlete can practice?

[4:45] Why are multi-directional exercises so important?

[5:55] How can the raptor come into play and help an athlete’s performance?

[8:50] Need some resources? The VertiMax app has you covered!

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Tweetables:

“In soccer, a lot of the steps tend to be choppy. It’s important to change the angles and change the cuts so you can work off both feet."

"The Raptor is perfect for explosive movements. You can easily load the front-end and it works really, really well."

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Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.

Steve dives into the fine art of running speed for soccer. How can athletes max their running speed with and without the ball on the field and off the field? What should they focus on? In this episode, Steve shares some tips on how an athlete can boost their endurance and speed for maximum performance.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A little bit about Steve and today’s episode.

[1:35] How do you run faster with the ball in soccer?

[3:20] How do you get faster without the ball in tow?

[5:30] Players should be sprinting at near max capacity for 200 yard range.

[8:30] Athletes need recovery time. Do not underestimate this process.

[9:00] Beating up your athletes until they can’t take it anymore is not a good approach.

[9:45] What’s a good arm and hand technique?

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Tweetables:

“Typically 3-5 miles is what a soccer player will run in a game, but if you run 5 miles a day, you’re not going to be fast."

"If I’m cranking [sprints] all the time, I’m not going to get max benefit out of them and I’m going to burn out too quickly."

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Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.

Steve understands that competitive sports can be very dangerous for an athlete who’s been competing for years. It can be hard on the body and the ability to bounce back and recover might get harder and harder as you get older. What are some of the ways you can prevent this from happening? Steve has 9 stages that he’d like to underline for the audience today so that they can have a long and fruitful athletic career.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A little bit about Steve.

[2:15] Competitive sports are very hard on the body.

[3:20] Steve dives into the first stage: Active start.

[5:30] What should 6 to 9-year-olds focus on?

[7:55] Children need to begin getting conscious about the importance of good eating habits, but balance is key here.

[9:40] At 11-16-year-olds, strength training is key and should take on a primary focus.

[12:15] Benchmarks are important at the 16-17 age mark. They’re old enough to understand why it matters to keep track.

[15:30] They’re now in college and they’re a full-time athlete, what should they focus on?

[16:45] These athletes have to buy in 100%. This is not a ‘sometimes’ thing, or else they’ll get injured.

[19:00] Former athletes need goals. This is just the way they’re wired.

[19:50] Following these steps is critical for success. It’s important to make sure the athletic tests that you’re doing are age appropriate.

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Tweetables:

“Anybody under the age of six should be starting off with an active start."

"Some children can’t absorb information at too young of an age. They begin to absorb it at 13-14 years old."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett is back on this week’s episode to talk about some helpful off-season training protocols for athletes. When there are no active games, you do not want your athlete to get lazy and out of shape. Here’s a quick overview of what an athlete should be focused on during their off-season days so that they can perform better for the upcoming season.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] Off-season is a very important time of the year.

[2:10] Review your past season results.

[2:50] What are some of your off-season goals?

[3:35] What’s a good training plan?

[5:25] Don’t forget to incorporate a team building plan.

[6:45] Seek out additional training.

[8:25] Communication is key. Promote transparent ways your athletes can communicate with you.1

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Tweetables:

“You want to make sure athletes trust each other as teammates. They got to get to know each other."

"With athletes, you have to communicate clearly, especially with anything that they’re doing. Make sure they’re able to come to you."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett understands that you have to work on your body throughout the entire year, including off-season. He shares some of his favorite ways to keep your routine up and get stronger in the process. It’s important to work beyond just the technicalities of the sport and make sure your body can keep up with what you’re putting it through.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] What does Brett see during off-season training?

[3:10] Athletes that have a strength and conditioning regimen end up performing better and have less injuries.

[3:25] Brett shares what a well-rounded schedule looks like.

[6:10] Whatever routine you pick, make sure it’s intentionally designed with purpose.

[8:15] How do you do core workouts with the VertiMax?

[10:00] The great thing about the VertiMax is that it can adapt to your agility needs.

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Tweetables:

“The trend these days is to play the sport year-round and there’s less of a focus on getting stronger. It’s a bad trend."

"There’s so much science and data out there that when athletes have a strength and conditioning regimen, they perform better."

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Brett Kuehn is a sports and human performance enthusiast, athlete, and mentor to Team VertiMax. He is a USMC veteran and business development professional at VertiMax. Brett’s passion is to help others achieve their goals whether they are an athlete looking to improve their speed, agility, and verticals; a coach looking to help their athletes gain an edge, or a sports performance owner or trainer seeking new ways to increase their business.

Brett shares some of the best strategies to grow your athletic and gym facility. If you’re struggling to get in new blood, Brett emphasizes the importance of going outside of your gym and attracting people from your community. Remember, it’s important to narrow down your focus on the type of client that you enjoy working with and then getting relentless in the pursuit of that type of person.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] You gotta grow outside of your facility. Connect with your community and go where the people are at.

[2:30] Offers a free training to get people excited and familiar with what you’re doing.

[3:30] Speak to your current clients and see if there are any commonalities in their likes and interests.

[4:20] If you try to please everybody, you’ll end up pleasing no one.

[5:20] Everything you get is what you put into. If you host one free session every month, you’ll be able to connect with new people in your community.

[7:45] Word of mouth can make or break you. Happy clients are vital to your success.

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Tweetables:

“Growing outside of your walls kinda leads unto getting involved with the community."

"You always want to connect with your current clientele and find out who you really want to coach and who you really want to tailor to."

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Brett shares a couple of drills that football athletes can practice depending on their specific football position on the field. The VertiMax Raptor offers some engaging movements that you simply can’t do without and Brett breaks down how it can help improve your agility, speed, and explosive power.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] What are some of Brett’s favorite drills to do with the raptor?

[1:40 A speed hush cone drill helps with agility and power.

[3:00] Brett shares a fun pass drill you can practice with multiple football positions.

[4:40] Engage and fully leverage your speed by doing these single leg drills.

[5:10] Grab yourself some medicine balls and engage in a sprint resistance exercise.

[6:50] Looking to boost arm strength? Brett shares how you can use the Raptor to help with your throw.

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Tweetables:

“Remember, most of these drills as I go over them, with the Raptor, you’re going to get resistance and assistance, so you can do the drill in two different ways."

"It’s hard to backpedal and sprint with resistance, so the Raptor and the VertiMax make this movement a lot easier."

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Brett understands that football Wide Receivers have a lot of back and forth and stop and go movements and if the athlete doesn’t properly prepare for these quick cuts, it can lead to injury. In this episode, Brett offers some quick and easy drills for athletes to do to prevent injury and increase performance.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] What are some of Brett’s favorite drills?

[2:20] Grab a tennis ball. This is a great exercise to do it by yourself.

[3:15] Cone footwork drills are a great way to train the body and prevent injuries.

[4:30] The hide and seek drill can be an excellent way to train quick responses and reactions.

[5:20] Brett explains the ‘track the ball’ drill and how it helps the athlete.

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Tweetables:

“The sit up work gives them the split reaction time to get their hands up, get their eye on the ball, and catch it quick."

"The footwork drills were initially mocked a little bit by Instagram and Tiktok, but now you see professional football players taking more action on it."

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Vinny Scollo is a Vertimax Master Trainer and the Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager in Middletown NY. As a strength and conditioning coach working with both amateur athletes and professional athletes in high school, college, and the NFL, Vinny has over 12 years of experience in human performance.

In this episode, Vinny shares what he often sees in volleyball athletes and what trainers can do to help balance out an athlete's natural imbalances by using the VertiMax. The way an athlete overcompensates their body can tell you a lot about how they move on and off the field, and gives you the opportunity to correct it before it turns into a career-ending injury.

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] What are some common injuries Vinny sees in his volleyball athletes?

[3:40] It’s common for athletes to overcompensate due to weak muscles.

[4:25] It’s important to look at single leg activities. It will tell you a lot about the human body.

[4:50] A coach has to be looking at hip, ankle, knee, and shoulder instabilities.

[5:30] What should a coach do if they see a nagging muscle weakness?

[7:15] What should a coach do if they get a new or fresh athlete that’s ready to jump right in to a competitive sport?

[8:40] Volleyball is an explosive sport. During off-season, it’s critical to get the human body ready for these movements.

[10:20] Want more specialized training? Check out the VertiMax app!

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Tweetables:

“You’re seeing a lot of soft tissue injuries, shoulder injuries from over usage, and not having the proper muscles; some are overactive and others are under active."

"A lot of athletes have extremely tight ankles. You sometimes have to give them the less is more approach."

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In this episode, Vinny shares his endurance tactics to increase a player’s quality of movement and energy reserves. A soccer athlete is constantly stopping and going plus their movements are very dynamic and they can be prone to injury, so every coach has to be mindful as to where they need their athlete to go during game time. Vinny shares how the VertiMax hits these goals for peak performance.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] How does the Vertimax increase a player’s endurance?

[4:10] Athletes are able to take full advantage of the dynamic angles the VertiMax provides.

[4:30] From an endurance standpoint, the VertiMax can push the athlete to new heights in a safe way.

[5:35] At the end of the day, if you want to get fast, you have to move fast.

[6:15] Vinny breaks down how he helps his athletes have more power and reserve during the 4th quarter.

[8:40] When it comes to changing direction, you can go so many different ways with it.

[9:10] Every movement a soccer player is going to do, you can create resistance for on the VertiMax.

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Tweetables:

“The VertiMax is a really dynamic tool because of the resistance being so fluid."

"For every 10 yards, take a 60 seconds rest. You want to optimize and make sure they’re in full recovery for each sprint."

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Vinny Scollo is a Vertimax Master Train and the Gold's Gym Sports Performance Director and Regional Fitness Manager in Middletown NY. As a strength and conditioning coach working with both amateur athletes and professional athletes in high school, college and the NFL, Vinny has over 12 years of experience in human performance.

In this episode, Vinny shares some of the things he thinks about when preparing his athletes for the NFL season, on and off season. As a trainer, it can be tempting to push your athlete to their max, however, patience really is a virtue when it comes to the human body and to achieve peak performance. You never want to go too fast and over exert your player, as that can cause massive setbacks (and injuries) later down the line.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] A little bit about Vinny and his performance background.

[4:15] When Vinny plans an agility training program, what goes through his mind?

[5:30] A lot of times, the body needs to recover, so less is more.

[9:10] Why do injuries happen?

[11:10] Don’t go too fast. You have to make sure your athlete is on the same page you are.

[12:15] What is the ultimate goal with the athlete?

[16:00] How does Vinny use the Vertimax to balance out his athletes?

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Tweetables:

“We have off season, which at that point we’re doing a lot of clean up work. We are restoring strength and other foundational things that will be driving our program later in the season."

"A lot of these injuries may also happen because there’s not enough time spent on them and getting your body to accept those loads and getting them to absorb it."

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Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.

In this episode, Steve discusses what it takes to be a good athletic director. Communication is key when it comes to coordinating with different coaches, but not only that, having a good business mind, too, helps greatly in the athletic department. Steve shares his experiences and thoughts on this week’s podcast.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] What makes a good athletic director?

[2:05] It’s important to be good at sports, but you don’t need to be good at sports.

[3:15] You need to have a servant mindset.

[5:45] No matter what, don’t take it personally.

[7:10] How do inspire success?

[8:15] Praise goes along way with kids and teens.

[9:05] You want your kids to fail and to be challenged!

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Tweetables:

“An athletic director is really a business position. So, it’s important to have good business sense, and it helps to know how to manage a budget."

"The more communication you can have with your staff, the better."

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Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.

In this episode, Steve shares his 25+ year knowledge and expertise as a strength coach on the call and offers advice to new coaches who are getting ready to train their athletes for the very first time.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] What is the most important thing you should be doing as a coach?

[2:50] A strength’s coaches job is to adapt to the child’s body, especially if they had a tough training day or game the day prior.

[4:10] If you’re a young strength coach, you have to lean on your peers for help.

[5:15] Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

[5:50] How can you empower your athlete?

[8:00] Being open minded and flexible is key to being a good coach.

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Tweetables:

“Most sports involve movement, so if they can’t move well, our goal is to make them a great athlete."

"If you see someone online, email them, you never know who will get back to you."

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Steve Leo is a master trainer for Parisi Speed School and educates young athletes through the VertiMax system and teaches them how this method is a game changer for their body and their target sport.

In this episode, Steve shares how to get your name out there so that more people in your community are excited about the athletic programs you provide.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] A little bit about Steve and the work he does at VertiMax.

[2:10] Build relationships with your local media.

[3:55] Why is it important to build relationships with your local schools?

[6:00] You can get volunteers in your athletic program.

[7:00] How can you promote your athletic program on social media?

[11:35] Why should you have pre-season meetings with parents?

[12:45] Steve shares his email alert strategy.

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Tweetables:

“There’s more kids playing youth sports than highschool sports. As a strength coach, ."

"A lot of colleges want to know what your instagram, tiktok, etc pages are. It’s a different world."

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Jessie Ehren is the VertiMax International Training Coordinator, where she makes sure VertiMax students are set up for success and certified to use the VertiMax equipment.

In this episode, Jessie offers her thoughts on the different education methods that VertiMax has to offer. Do you want to become a more knowledgeable instructor? This episode outlines your options.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] A little bit about Jessie and the work she does at VertiMax.

[2:00] The most valuable certification VertiMax has is their live certification course.

[3:10] You can also learn from VertiMax’s online workshop, which can be consumed anytime. However, you do not get certified.

[5:30] VertiMax also hosts live webinars. What does this look like?

[7:10] Jessie explains VertiMax’s premium subscription platform.

[8:15] VertiMax has a free mobile app to help you get inspired.

[8:40] VertiMax is back in business with the live summit now that COVID restrictions have been lifted!

[11:15] Education is such a big part of the VertiMax platform and there’s always new information coming out!

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Tweetables:

“Our live certification course is the only way you can become a certified trainer through VertiMax."

"The VertiMax online workshop is a great opportunity, especially if you can’t get to a live course, but it is not a certification."