2026 NSCA COACHING FOR IMPACT SPORTS PERFORMANCE SUMMIT
Prepare Impact-Sport Athletes Through Readiness, Recovery, and Sport Science
September 26, 2026 | Columbia, SC | In Person Only | 0.8 Category A CEUs
Overview
Impact sports prove that availability remains the best ability. Athletes in football, hockey, lacrosse, combat sports, and other high-impact settings need readiness that holds up after contact. The 2026 NSCA Coaching for Impact Sports Performance Summit helps strength and conditioning professionals meet that challenge.
Learn from coaches, researchers, and sport scientists as they connect nutrition, testing, and training tools to inform better performance decisions. Earn 0.8 CEUs and bring more complete preparation back to your athletes.
Event Highlights
Summit Social at Downtown Beach Bar & Grill
Friday, September 25 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Join fellow attendees for a relaxed evening to connect, compare perspectives, and talk shop before the Summit begins.
918 Gervais St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Included with Registration
Supported by the NSCA Southeast Region
The volunteer-led NSCA Southeast Region (SER) connects professionals across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands through local educational events and community.
Supported by the NSCA Football SIG
The NSCA Football Special Interest Group (SIG) connects strength and conditioning coaches and professionals across the football community to share best practices, advance safe and effective training, and support continued development in the sport.
Schedule
| Event Itinerary - Friday, September 25 |
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5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Summit Social at Downtown Beach Bar & Grill |
| Event Itinerary - Saturday, September 26 |
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7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Social & Coffee with Exhibitors |
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8:00 AM - 8:50 AM Keynote: Insights From a Career in Impact Sports by Joe Kenn, MS, CSCS Lecture |
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9:00 AM - 11:50 AM Group Sessions — Morning Rotation Group sessions repeat across morning and afternoon rotations so that attendees attend every session by the end of the day. |
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9:00 AM - 9:50 AM Nutrition and Supplementation Strategies for Concussions by Shawn Arent, PhD, CSCS and Michelle Arent, RD, CSCS, CISSN Lecture |
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9:00 AM - 9:50 AM Practical VBT Strategies for Maximizing Athletic Performance by Rich Burnett, MS, CSCS Hands-On |
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10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Your Best Ability is Availability: Sound Training Strategies to Preserve Athletes’ Joints Throughout Their College Careers by Lily Bernardi, MS, CSCS Lecture |
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10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Movements Over Muscles: Kinetic Chain Sequencing for Impact Athletes by Jon Lynch, MS, CSCS Hands-On |
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11:00 AM - 11:50 AM Actionable KPIs for the Strength Coach via Force Plate Testing by Riley Ross, MS, CSCS Lecture |
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11:00 AM - 11:50 AM Break Away from the Barbell: Maximize Movement Competency with Kettlebells by Bo Sandoval, PhD, CSCS Hands-On |
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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch |
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1:00 PM - 3:50 PM Group Sessions — Afternoon Rotation |
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1:00 PM - 1:50 PM Nutrition Strategies for Concussions by Shawn Arent, PhD, CSCS and Michelle Arent, RD, CSCS, CISSN Lecture |
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1:00 PM - 1:50 PM VBT for Impact Sports by Rich Burnett, MS, CSCS Hands-On |
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2:00 PM - 2:50 PM Your Best Ability is Availability: Sound Training Strategies to Preserve Athletes’ Joints Throughout Their College Careers by Lily Bernardi, MS, CSCS Lecture |
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2:00 PM - 2:50 PM Movements Over Muscles: Kinetic Chain Sequencing for Impact Athletes by Jon Lynch, MS, CSCS Hands-On |
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3:00 PM - 3:50 PM Actionable KPIs for the Strength Coach via Force Plate Testing by Adam Lachance, MS, CSCS Lecture |
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3:00 PM - 3:50 PM Break Away from the Barbell: Maximize Movement Competency with Kettlebells by Bo Sandoval, MS, CSCS Hands-On |
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4:10 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote: The Evolution of the Sport Scientist by Duncan French, PhD, CSCS Lecture |
Venue & Hotel
Held at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Set in downtown Columbia, SC, this modern event venue puts you near The Vista’s restaurants, hotels, and riverfront district, about 15 minutes from Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
Hosted by:
Tom Palumbo, MS, CSCS,*D
NSCA Southeast Regional Coordinator
conferences@nsca.com
Choose from Nearby Hotel Options
Stay at Hampton Inn Columbia-Downtown Historic District
0.6 miles from venue
$129/night + taxes preferred NSCA rate
822 Gervais St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Stay at Hilton Columbia Center
0.8 miles from venue
$199/night + taxes preferred NSCA rate
924 Senate St.
Columbia, SC 29201
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Ramon “Ray” Cossio, MS, CSCS |
“This was probably the best NSCA event I have been to. Great presentations and I love the rotations to see all the presenters. It makes it worth our time and theirs.” |
Pricing
Lock In Your Fall Summit Savings Early
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Early Bird Through September 9 |
Standard September 10 – On-Site |
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Non-Member
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$135 |
$185 |
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Professional Member
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$115 |
$165 |
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Student Member
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$50 |
$60 |
Each Summit offers 0.8 CEUs
Category A toward the 2024 – 2026 NSCA recertification cycle.
Choose the Best Summit for You
All five Fall Performance Summits run simultaneously across the country, each built around a focused strength and conditioning theme. Before registering, make sure this Summit best aligns with your goals and interests or revisit the full topic lineup.
FAQ
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Do I need to attend all four Summits to earn 0.8 CEUs?
No. The 2026 NSCA Coaching for Impact Sports Performance Summit offers 0.8 CEUs Category A on its own. Because all five Summits take place at the same time nationwide, you only need to attend the one you choose.
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Is this Summit offered virtually?
No. The 2026 NSCA Coaching for Impact Sports Performance Summit is an in-person event only.
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Where is this Summit held?
The 2026 NSCA Coaching for Impact Sports Performance Summit is held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC.
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Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
National Strength and Conditioning Association is dedicated to providing a harassment-free and discrimination-free experience for everyone at NSCA events. NSCA seeks to provide an event environment in which diverse attendees may learn, network and enjoy the company of colleagues in a professional atmosphere. NSCA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of attendees in any form.
Policy & Procedures -
Cancellation Policy
Event Cancellation: Sign up by the early registration date to lock in early bird pricing and help ensure the clinic isn't cancelled due to low registration!
Individual Cancellation: All refund requests must be submitted in writing (email) and should state the reason for cancellation. No refunds will be accepted over the phone.
Email: conferences@nsca.com50% refund if postmarked on or before the early registration date.
No refund after the early registration date. -
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Will I receive the speaker PowerPoint presentations?
If they are available, you will receive them via email within 2 weeks after the event.Will I receive a Certificate of Attendance?
Yes. A certificate will be emailed to you approximately 2 weeks after the event.How do I report my CEUs?
The NSCA will automatically apply the CEUs to your NSCA Account. If you need to report CEUs elsewhere, you may use the Certificate of Attendance.Can anyone register for this event?
Yes. Anyone who is interested in an NSCA Event can register.Do I need a Membership to register?
Create Account
No. You only need an NSCA Account to register. If you do not have one, you can create one for free.
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