Quick Background: son, 13, wants to play on the high school football team next year, his first time, trying to make up some ground on the kids who have been playing football for a couple of years. He’s pretty tall, 5’10’', but skinny, 123#, athletic, but needs some strength and power. He’s doing fine with the spring practices, just needs power. So, we’ve lined him up with some sport specific coaching/training that will be in addition to his team practices. Now, someone has scared my wife about the ‘stunt your growth’ reputation of weightlifting when kids start too soon.
Hey MORON>>>This has nothing to do with Ironman or yaw or saddle sores or… Get this crap outta here, you idgit. This is only fer sereeeeuus triassletes!
kidding, my bad, I swear I posted this in lavender room. Oh well, feel free to pipe in…
What about body weight exercises…tons of pushups, chinups, sit ups, squats and of course my all time favourite…blocking sled! At his weight, the kid is going to need to get on the team with speed and agility not by generating more brute force, cause he’s not going to have a much as the kid who is already filling out fast.
I’m dating myself, but you can get on the team using the Earl Campbell strategy (hammer everyone in front of you and bowl them over), or you can use the Marcus Allen stategy of finding holes and avoiding being tackled hard at all costs. Given his size, I would recommend the Marcus Allen strategy…he’ll need to play a position that rewards speed and agility over brute force. Hopefully he has a fast 40 yard dash and can play receiver and/or return kicks. Best 2 positions if you’re low on bulk, but high on speed. Cornerback might work too.
If he is skinny, wouldn’t he have better chances being a cyclist or a triathlete? Choosing the right sport is very important. Never mind if he wants to be on the team because he only wants to have fun.
I would have allowed my 13 year old kids to do some strength training, but not weightlifting.
If he is skinny, wouldn’t he have better chances being a cyclist or a triathlete? Choosing the right sport is very important. Never mind if he wants to be on the team because he only wants to have fun.
I would have allowed my 13 year old kids to do some strength training, but not weightlifting.
Sergio
He’s 13 he could hit a growth spurt over the summer and be 6’1" 165 as a freshman or sophmore. I know at my high school they were already lifting for football at 14ish you should be fine if you let him.
Have noticed that they are doing alot of these, lots of resistance bands, weird stuff, in addition to the traditional stuff. Think prep school for the combines to move up a level, no matter what level you’re starting.
More Marcus than Earl, fo sho. Try more like a D Back, Pat Tillman before the weightroom (I know, that’s an extremely high bar, but he’s a great role model for my boy).
He bikes and runs, not much into swimming. Would love to get him into the local junior cycling program, Frazier Cycling, have seen those kids do some amazing things. He knows I would love for him to start tri’s much sooner than I ever did, but I try to avoid the ‘push’. If and when he is interested, I’ll be ready!
I started high school at 6’0" prob 140-145 ish and ended up around 180. Mostly from hockey. I did play a year of football.
My high school team won football state multiple times and I didn’t have a problem getting a chance to play sophmore year without playing before. I wouldnt worry about it they will get him into a position that he is good at and likes. Size wont matter that much till varsity junior and senior year and by then if he really wants to do it they’ll get the weight on that he needs.
Why does he need a strength coach to play scholastic football? I agree with others that have suggested body weight exercises and holding off on the more serious weight routines until his growth plates stop growing. For that matter perhaps football isn’t the greatest option at that age either.
as long as the program is designed and monitored by a qualified professional there shouldn’t be any problems. There are no more “growth plate” issues with resistance training than any other type of exercise.
The issues are with proper exercise prescription, and appropriate recovery. There are far more “growth plate” injuries in sports like baseball and track than in resistance training (note: resistance training different than power lifting).
So again, find a training with experience in developmental considerations and you should be fine.
qualified and experienced, very successful with all ages from 8th graders to NFL combine dudes. Not a one plan fits all place, specific to the kid’s needs. Technique has to mastered before he lets you add any weight.
and plyometrics are excellent if you are worried about lifting right now, but the above book is comprehensive, simple, and works pretty well. Good luck.
Actually, the present 8th graders have been going to the HS since March for workouts. And, yes, they are lifting and practicing this summer. But, based on feedback, there’s not as much attention to technique, nutrition, the ‘why’ as much as the ‘how to’. That’s why I wanted a ‘trainer’ for this part, cuz he won’t listen to me. Maybe if this falls thru, I’ll take the money and get me a tri’coach. (note inserted tri related topic here, thus avoiding the required flogging)