Aurora Christian Eagles Track & Field. Boys and Girls State Champions in 2014. Multiple State Trophies and Sectional Championships.
Glorifying Christ.
For Him!
Don’t train like a pitcher, train like an Olympic sprinter.
When I was with the Phillies throwing in the mid-90s, I thought sprinting was eyewash. I just wanted to get bigger and stronger.
But here’s the thing—the key to throwing harder isn’t to get bigger or stronger. It’s to train your central nervous system to fire faster. And sprinting is one of the best tests for how well your CNS is firing.
Look at Roki Sasaki, who throws 103 mph. When researchers studied him, they found he had similar characteristics to an Olympic sprinter. Or Aroldis Chapman beating Billy Hamilton in a race—when Hamilton was the fastest runner in the MLB. Or even Shohei Ohtani stealing 50 bases last year.
They’re elite at throwing and sprinting because they’re so efficient at firing their CNS.
So if you want to take advantage of this, here’s what you do:
– 2–3x per week, incorporate sprint variations (acceleration, weighted, max effort).
– Do ~10 sprints per session.
– Add rate of force development, VBT, and impulse-type training into your routine.
And if that sounds confusing, just comment SPRINT and I’ll send you the exact routine I’m using to throw 100 mph.
Student-athletes,
If you have to be told to:
• Show up on time
• Compete
• Attend class
• Do your work
• Train hard
• Fuel up & hydrate
• Get proper rest & recovery
• Study your plays
• Give your all…
You’re not really THAT passionate about the game!
"You don’t get rewarded for doing what is required."
@inkyjohnson
Greatness is not given to a chosen few.
Greatness is earned by the few who choose to do 'more than what's required'.
This tweet got a lot of interaction.
I wanted to address a few key points to creating this model of a School-Wide Summer Training Program:
1. Hire a Qualified S&C Coordinator to be in charge of programming. Preferably one for Boys AND Girls. Pay them a stipend.
2. Pay sport coaches hourly to show up and help. Rotate them throughout the month and maximize their strengths.
3. Set a specific time (Ex. 8:00-9:30am) for training. Sports-specific work happens outside of that time.
4. Get input from sport coaches on metrics that matter most to them. Involve them in the process.
5. Build programming that addresses all key areas: Sprint, Jump, Throw, Lift. Don't just destroy them in the Weight Room.
6. Programming should reflect training age. Progress accordingly. Freshman shouldn't be Maxing out first day "to get a baseline"....
7. Record, Rank, and Publish data to show improvement to sport coaches. Adjust programming as necessary.
8. Find the Minimum Effective Dose to move the needle. If you go 2 hrs, try 1.5 hrs. If you go 4 days, try 3 days.
9. Make it fun. Create competition. It doesn't have to be a GRIND!
10. Rest and Recovery should be scheduled in systematically. 3 or 4-day weekends every week. 7-10 days off in the middle and end of summer. Kids will still get 8 training weeks.
I'm working on...
"The Ultimate School-Wide Summer Training Program"
...Stay tuned!
“I never feared about my skills, because I put in the work—work ethic, eliminates fear.”
Fear fades when you know you’ve done the work.
Want confidence? Earn it every day. That’s how champions are made.
The best high school teams aren’t always the most talented.
They’re the ones that trust each other, sacrifice for one another, and hold each other accountable.
Talent wins games — but culture wins championships. 🏀
Life is about Choices.
Here are 8 of them.
1. Attitude is a Choice
2. Character is a Choice
3. Work Ethic is a Choice
4. Leadership is a Choice
5. Consistency is a Choice
6. Commitment is a Choice
7. Daily Habits are a Choice
8. Encouragement is a Choice
Success is a Choice.
Rules are the baseline—what everyone has to do.
Standards? That’s what champions choose to do.
Great players don’t just follow rules—they set the standard.
Coaches, hold them to it.
Athletes, live it every day.
That’s how winning programs are built.
“Be someone that somebody wants to emulate. Set a good example. You cannot be a good leader if you don’t care about other people because you have to be willing to listen.
FEEL, FELT, FOUND.
I know how you FEEL
I FELT that way before.
Here’s what I FOUND out” Nick Saban
DON'T LOOK BACK AND WISH YOU HAD:
- worked harder
- been a better teammate
- overcome your doubts and fears
- not been your own worst enemy
- listened to your coach
- been in better shape
- taken advantage of the offseason
- appreciated what you had
DO THEM THIS SUMMER!
Dear Coaches,
Be the person you needed when you were younger. You never know the hidden needs of your athletes.
Don’t let the weight of your daily tasks make you lose sight. Every day you show up is an opportunity to impact a life.
#NFLDraft Tracking Football Overview:
✔️233/257 (91%) picks were multi-sport athletes in high school
✔️173/257 (67%) picks competed in track & field
✔️123/257 (48%) were 3+ sport athletes
🟠3.1/5.0 PAI avg
🟢3.2/5.0 COM avg
🔵3.8/5.0 PPI avg
#NFLDraft 1st Round Overview:
✔️28/32 (88%) picks were multi-sport athletes in high school
✔️16/32 (50%) picks competed in track & field
✔️14/32 (44%) were 3+ sport athletes
🟠3.8/5.0 PAI avg
🟢3.6/5.0 COM avg
🔵4.1/5.0 PPI avg
The best athletes aren’t happy because they’re successful. They’re successful because they’re happy! Their positive attitude helps them work harder, persevere longer, and perform better.