Thanks for the reply on the warmup. I guess it would require a lot of mats, so I will have to modify it a little bit since most of our mats are on a cable covering the rock wall that was installed a few years back (nice!) that nobody uses.
I’m definitely going to take advantage of the rock wall, but until this point nobody has had a clue how to incorporate it. I’ll send some pictures when I can.
As a sidenote, I have ordered Bompa’s “Total Training for Young Champions” as well as “Youth Strength Training.” I’m not so sure the second title will be any good, but I’ll check it out and report back.
Thanks to darkhorse for the James Smith article link too! I have a Physical Education conference coming up in a month, it will be interesting to see if anyone there has the remotest concept of how to train kids for measurable athletic improvement.
Taking a look at the atrocious movement skills of my grade 3 and 4 students, I’m starting to see that the key movement skill that needs to be taught is how to run. Some of their mechanics are shocking! Everything else is a distant second. I will try to start putting together a long term plan, and will report back with what I come up with.
On another positive note, it looks like I will be heading out to Michigan to visit the very talented ESTI this weekend. I’m sure he will have some valuable input to add!