There is a principle in exercise science called the “principle of specificity”. This states that “a body system makes specific adaptations to imposed demands.” Thus, it is sometimes referred to as the “S.A.I.D. principle”. Basically, if you want to improve strength, strength train; if you want to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, do aerobic exercise, etc. Train specific to the bioenergetics and physical demands of the sport and desired outcome.
When it comes to youth sports, it is common to hear the phrase “sport-specific training”. It is especially common to hear this from parents and coaches who have been convinced that young athletes need to “specialize” early to be “successful”. Now, obviously, there are certain “skill-specific” or “energy system-specific” demands of sport, but, otherwise, the notion of “sport-specific training”, as it applied to conditioning, is nonsense. Specificity applies to the specific health- and motor skill-related components of fitness. Thus, athletic conditioning is athletic conditioning. It doesn’t matter what the sport, strength is strength and agility is agility. If you want to make agility basketball-specific, for example, put a basketball in the athlete’s hand, if you must, but it is still agility.
Parents, what is most important is that you allow your athlete an off-season for recovery and pre-season conditioning. If you are allowing your athlete to play year-around you risk injuring the athlete, as well as burnout. You shorten the collegiate and professional career you fantasize. If you want to see your child succeed in sports, allow them at least a season to work with a qualified strength and conditioning professional. Better, yet, encourage them to follow a year-around conditioning program to supplement their sport skills-training and play. Also, don’t wait until the weeks before the season starts to begin the “pre-season”.
Let young athletes enjoy their sport. Make it fun. Make it safe. Part of making sports participation possible and fun is conditioning. Don’t neglect preseason training, but, likewise, keep it fun.
Remind your young athlete to “be your best today; be better tomorrow!”
Carpe momento!