Optimal power-the ideal combination of speed and strength-is the difference between a good athlete and a great athlete. This course provides all the tools to build sport-specific power and allow you to attain the highest level of performance. Every sport has unique power demands. Whether explosive running and jumping, a quick burst out of the starting block, or contacting and moving an opponent, developing the right proportion of strength and speed is crucial to optimizing athletic power. With the revolutionary speed-strength-power continuum discussed in this course, you can determine the ideal mix of strength-based and speed-based power required for your sport. This course will introduce the high school coach or teacher to training programs designed for maximum results that may be applied as presented or customized to individual needs using the seven-step program design process. Training exercises combine resistance training, plyometrics, speed drills, and cutting-edge power development techniques. Learning how to develop training programs puts your student athletes another step ahead of the competition.

Course assignments encourage participants to integrate the course material with specific national standards for physical education. Objectives for each lesson are modeled around standards-based learning as identified by SHAPE America. Evidence of learning is tied directly to stated objectives and is assessed via analysis and application papers, training programs, testing programs, reflective evaluations and peer learning. The course is designed for teachers and coaches of 7th through 14th grade students.

NOTE: Required textbook must be acquired separately.

This course is applicable towards the Strength and Conditioning Certificate.

Course Resources
ATH-917 Syllabus (PDF Document)