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Notice: The NSCA website is scheduled to undergo system maintenance from 12:00 AM - 2:30 AM EST. During this time, there may be short service interruptions across the site and some parts of the site may not be accessible. We apologize for any inconvenience while we work to improve the website experience and security.
Thank you for bearing with us while we deal with a few website issues. Learn More.
The snatch is one of the most technically demanding competitive movements. This article focuses on barbell trajectory (or bar path), motor control, and the height of the bar relative to the athlete’s body.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise TechniqueProgram designstrength and conditioningOlympic LiftsSnatch
Integrating weight room cues that are more consistent with those used to reinforce safer tackling techniques on the field may help with athlete retention and buy-in, and prevent potential confusion.
CoachesExercise TechniqueProgram designSafetycoaching cuessafe tacklingfootballstrength and conditioningweight training
This article provides essential guidelines for athletes beginning a strength and conditioning program that ensures safety and productivity of the training sessions.
This article considers some of the main differences between the training of Olympic weightlifters and the use of Olympic weightlifting exercises in strength training for sport.
CoachesExercise TechniqueProgram designOlympic WeightliftingPower SnatchPower CleanDecelerationPlyometricRate of Force Development
This excerpt from NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science briefly explains the force-velocity-power profile and how it can give strength and conditioning coaches a more holistic view of athletes.
This article explains the quadrathlon and how it can help strength coaches measure linear speed, speed-strength (power), and elastic or reactive qualities efficiently.
CoachesTesting and EvaluationTestingQuadrathlonPowerSpeedSprintJump
This article features the recharge skate—an in-season hockey conditioning drill, designed by the authors, to maintain hockey-specific energy system fitness throughout the competitive season.
CoachesExercise ScienceProgram designTesting and EvaluationIce HockeyRepeat Sprint AbilityAlacticEnergy Systems Development
Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, so this phase of sprinting is critical for changing directions as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Optimal technique for linear sprinting in the acceleration phase involves four factors that maximize stride length and frequency.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise Techniquespeedagilitystrength and conditioning
Approximately 2 million youth from 6 - 12 years of age participate in football every year. This article discusses the importance of long-term athletic development (LTAD) for youth football athletes and the significance of a player development pathway for long-term success and longevity in the sport.
CoachesExercise ScienceProgram designOrganization and Administrationhs-coachingLTADLong Term Athletic DevelopmentYouth Football
The aim of the get up and go drill for rugby players is to develop the ability to accelerate from a low body position, which is especially important when accelerating into a potential contact situation.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise Techniquerugbytraining for rugbyagility drills for rugby