rkarboviak

I'd like to add a few things on the topics of the high speed treadmill and its applications. I've been on both sides of this fence: first, working in a 'said facility' with the high speed treadmill in operation. I was one of the trainers who ended up mindlessly counting reps on plyos and pushing kids through workouts on treadmills because the management was more about money than about the athlete's health overall, and of course, my burnout rate of increasing magnitude. It was very frustrating, as they had me training 7-8 kids an hour on the treadmill, and I couldn't really focus on the training of the athletes, just trying to get them through to make the boss happy. I left the job for a new startup company in Ohio, in which we promoted our advantages over 'treadmill training and its worthlessness'. Well, what I started to realize was that there were some advantages to the treadmill training and the company I now worked for had a hard time getting athletes there to train. I used the basics of what I learned as a trainer in my first years and applied it, along with other knowledge I gained from teleseminars, reading training articles and sites, listening to training CD's, etc. I then got a job offer to return close to the area where I started my career, and work for a new startup high speed treadmill franchise, same kind of program as I once ran. I would be the only trainer, in charge of the athletes and scheduling, and management wasn't breathing down my neck to push large numbers of athletes. I was in more control with this method of training. I started to include some of the principles I learned from guys like Brian Grasso (thanks Brian!) and others from the site at Sportspecific.com, as well as other things I learned from the books & articles. I have now found a good mix of how the high speed treadmill can be an effective training tool, and that's all it really is, just one tool in the toolbox of the athlete's training program & strategy. Strength, flexibility and body control are key components to the development of all athletes. I also have attended the Administrator workshop for this franchise and have tapped into their knowledge and wisdom as well on new training methods and techniques being applied. It is a sad thing though that the image about them is tarnished by the 'clipboard holders' they call trainers, who most of the time are college kids who are athletes, doing a summer job in the peak training times for these businesses. The nice thing about being in charge of this site is getting qualified interns with a definitive goal of doing this line of work seriously, and I can take them under my wing and teach them more than just how to count reps on a four square drill and spot a kid on a treadmill. I just want to say that every training method has its place in an athlete's landscape, and if high speed treadmill work can be beneficial for the athlete at that time in their training, then let them use that under the guidance of a professional that knows what he/she is doing for that athlete's potential. Education to the athlete is paramount, just as much as the training session is. Rick Karboviak, CSCS www.thetipedge.com

Training youth requires great patience and you must realize that the kids will not perform every move, every drill, or every situation perfectly. They are in learning stages not only mentally, but in physical and motor development patterns. My short & fast advice is to work on the basics of body control and awareness, and not get too caught up in the fundamentals of dribbling and shooting. Remember in hoops, only 1 guy has the ball, while the other 9 are either trying to get it or manuever around to get the ball in the hoop for their team. This requires great body control and awareness, or kinesthetic awareness development. Body control is a key component that is often overlooked in basketball, as most training has centered around the ball and not the true movement skills of the player without it. Rick Karboviak, CSCS www.thetipedge.com

When I was a coach for track & cross-country, I felt my college education and experience was setting a good foundation of knowledge I needed to coach the kids the best I could. My degree is in exercise science, I am a CSCS (certified strength & conditioning specialist), and have been around sports performance since high school, first on the rehab side of things, then on the strength & conditoning level of it. My first coaching job paid very little ($1000 for the season, the T&F was a volunteer job!). It added to my salary as a personal trainer/fitness center manager in the club I was working in. My flexible training schedule made it easy for me to coach in the afternoons/evenings for a short time frame. I now am employed full-time for a fitness center that houses a sports training franchise, and make a decent living at it. I also do online training as a 'part time job/hobby' in my spare time now, and do 'coaching' online to athletes and fitness clients. Rick Karboviak www.thetipedge.com

Check his overall flexibility of his shoulders, arms, and especially the legs. I try to tell the youth I train to 'stay relaxed' in the shoulders, and I work on drills that help improve flexibility. One item I've used before and during their training sessions is something called 'The Stick'. Its a neuromuscular stimulator, like a rolling pin, used across your muscles to help improve blood flow and circulation. It also helps get out any 'tight spots' or tender spots in the belly of the muscles. Its shown to be a great improver in flexibility and muscle recovery. Rick Karboviak, CSCS www.thetipedge.com