Adam Feit, PhD, CSCS*D, RSCC, offers practical insight on understanding and motivating human behavior in Autonomy-Supportive Coaching: A New Perspective on Training Athletes. After this engaging video, you will be able to: Review the benefits of satisfying athletes’ and coaches’ basic psychological needs. Explain how specific coaching behaviors can help or hinder athlete and coach performance. Understand how to create an autonomy-supportive training and coaching environment.

Coach Jay Spearman’s mission is to have a positive, lifelong impact on his students.

Learn more about coaching and training pre- and post-natal women from Molly Galbraith at 2020 NSCA Personal Trainers Virtual Conference

September 22-23,2020 | The conference committee handpicked 12 sessions considered hot topics for 2020.

Explore the 2027 NSCA National Conference in Las Vegas and online, July 7–10, the definitive event for strength and conditioning education. See 2026 highlights.

Puberty is a critical period for young athletes, characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social changes. During puberty, young athletes experience the adolescent growth spurt at the same time as intensified training regimens, which can affect performance, injury risk, and overall health. Systematic training can improve physiological and performance outcomes, but the increased training volume and changes to the body during adolescence can also heighten the risk of injuries. This article discusses the injury risks associated with adolescent growth and provides comprehensive recommendations to mitigate these risks. Key recommendations include limiting training hours to the athlete’s age, monitoring growth and maturation to adjust training loads and content, and incorporating and modifying consistent strength and conditioning prescriptions. In addition, optimal nutrition, sleep, and interdisciplinary planning among coaches, parents, and stakeholders should be emphasized to support young athletes’ holistic development and well-being during the adolescent growth spurt.