Core | Strength and Performance

List of 7 items.

• What is the Strength and Performance Philosophy at Casady?

  We believe that athletic development is a long-term process. All training modalities and progressions are structured and planned to coincide with the individual student-athlete’s movement capabilities. This process allows for constant improvement of on-field performance and a reduced risk of injury. We utilize science-based principles to maximize speed, strength, power, and energy system development.

• How do the Pillars of the Strategic Athletic Plan play into this philosophy?

  Our job isn’t just to get the student-athletes faster, stronger, and more powerful. Our efforts are also driven towards shaping these young men and women into great people. Championship Character is something we try to instill in our kids. At some point life will bring adversity, and we want our student athletes to be resilient, accountable, and disciplined when that day comes.

• How is the Strength and Performance Program structured today?

  Our program is a research-based, data driven approach to Strength, Speed, and Energy System Development. This isn’t a program whose sole goal is to lift heavy weights everyday. This is truly a “slow cooking” approach to athletic development. We want to set up our student athletes for long-term success, not short-term gain. By rushing this process student-athletes could be set up for higher risk of injury and lack of neuromuscular development.
  
  Student-athletes are categorized into 4 different training groups, all based on individual development. All of Middle Division student-athletes will train in “Block 0” until they reach ninth grade. These two years are extremely important in their development. Lifting weights is not rushed until the students express proficiency handling their bodyweight. Once they are in Upper Division student-athletes have the opportunity to progress through the Athletics Level 1-3 programs. There is no specific timeline for these individuals since each child develops and matures differently. 

• How has the Athletics Department outgrown the current facility and what are the benefits to a newer bigger space?

  Time and space has always been the issue. During a normal training day there may be between 70-100 Upper Division student-athletes come through the weight room. This doesn’t include Middle Division. The amount of time to train is two hours, which is also shared with team practice. The current strength and training room can accommodate approximately 32 student-athletes. When the room is at capacity, the risk of unintentional accidents increases due to the small space. 
  
  

  With this new Strength and Performance Center we could facilitate upwards of 70+ student-athletes at a time. This not only provides a safer environment, but allows coaches more time with their athletes. Currently coaches sacrifice practice time so they can train, which means halfway through a practice the team must break to come into the weight room for 30 minutes before returning to practice. Increasing the space and expanding into a new facility impacts Sports Performance Training, as well as providing our coaches more time to work on the tactical and technical side of sport. 

• Will this be similar to a college strength and performance facility?

  This new Strength and Performance Center has the potential to be a state-of-the-art training facility.

• What equipment and technology has been incorporated already and what more can be implemented in a new facility?

  Teambuildr is used to deliver training programs to our student-athletes. Teambuildr is an online software that allows the coaching staff to send individualized programming and collect data for training and wellness. Tendo Units is a means to measure performance during certain training phases. These devices are utilized for Velocity-Based Training (VBT) and provide immediate feedback on power trends, nervous system fatigue, and strength during training sessions. Freelap, an automated timing system, is used to measure acceleration and max velocity speed during field work. Along with Freelap, Just Jump mats are  used for plyometric training.

• What does the term “wellness,” mean? Is it mental, physical, core strength, toughness... how is it different for student-athletes and non-athletes?

  Wellness encompasses both physical and psychological outcomes. Our goal is to train the “total” student-athlete. Ultimately, we want to develop great young men and women who possess quality leadership characteristics.
  
  

  Student vs Student-Athlete wellness is drastically different. While the goal remains the same, the stress that each student-athlete experiences is extremely contrasting. Not only do these individuals carry the same academic workload as all students, they also participate in vigorous physical activity. The fatigue/stress these individuals have to manage on a daily basis is quite demanding. The resiliency these individuals develop through this process will benefit them for life.