What to Look for in a Sports Performance Coach

 There are many facilities that offer strength and conditioning, sports performance, jump camps and other avenues of youth training. While the economy has gone down the last few years, people have a harder time affording some extra things for their children. While sports performance training is a luxury to have for your child, it is a valuable investment if brought to the right facility. With anything you do, you get what you invest in. There are many features that you should be looking at when deciding which facility or program you send your child too. Here is a short list of things that really matter.

1. Location
2. Programs offered
3. The coaching staff
4. The actual program
5. The atmosphere
6. The price

1. Location – an important decision maker when looking at facilities. You want to make sure it is close and the ability to get there is a reality. You also want to make sure that if your child is in sports all year round with AAU that the facility is in a neutral area.
2. Programs Offered – There are many facilities that have camps which may last 4-6 weeks or programs which last 12 weeks and longer. You have to make a decision on which you want to pursue. The difference is a camp will short cut a program because of time constraints and my only be offered 2x a week. A program is a design for progression over time and is a bigger commitment of 3-4 times a week. A camp might be short and look cheaper but in the end a program will give you the best results and is cheaper over the long run.
3. The Coaching Staff – you want to make sure that 4 things are looked at with a coach you want for your child.
   • Education – a degree in exercise science and a nationally recognized certification with insurance.
   • Experience – You want someone who has done this before. You want a coach with at least 2 years of experience not in training but in sports performance.
   • Attitude– you want a coach who is positive but also knows when to take charge and discipline. Especially in youth classes.
   • Looking the Part– it’s always an advantage if the coach played a sport preferably in college. Does this make him a better coach? NO, but he/she will have a better understanding what the athlete is going through.
4. The Actual Program– I say this because sometimes what is advertised is not the actual program. Especially if the camp is outdoors or is a short camp. With a program you should get the Cadillac of training and should be what they preach, if they say there is assessments you better get an assessment and if you don’t ask why. Always read the fine print, and go to a class and watch the coaches and program in action. You also want to be sure that during the assessment that goals are talked about. These goals are another cornerstone of a great program. Without goals there is no direction.
5. The Atmosphere– The way the facility is being handled by the coach and the coach’s attitude will not only help with the performance but also the confidence of the athletes. Make sure it is a positive experience and the kids are working hard but having fun as well.
6. The Price – The program is going to be more expensive but a better investment. Camps are camps and their job is to get you in and out. A program is designed around the athlete not vice versa. When looking at prices compare and see what you get for your buck. Do you want an assessment, a high level coaching staff and a place with a great atmosphere? You will pay more, but your results will be better.

At AllSports we take pride in providing the best coaching staff in the country, the best programs because they revolve around each individual athlete and the atmosphere is second to none. We understand the investment your making in us and in turn we will invest in you and your child. We are here to create the best program for each athlete that comes through based on their goals, their assessment and the commitment they are willing to make.   When the athletes come into the facility and gives us those previously mentioned things they will have no problem executing their goals and becoming the athlete they should be.

By: Brad Leshinske MS, CSCS Program Director