When It Comes To Training Youth Athletes, Starting Earlier Is Better.

Here’s why:

Here’s why:

“In 15 years of training athletes, I’ve found that starting younger is always better.

By strategically dosing training exposures at younger ages, not only do you get an immediate return, you weave the concept of preparation into their DNA, setting the table for future outputs.”

-Ray Zingler on X

The reason I love training as much as I do is because it’s a long game.

In fact, it’s the longest game of them all.

And the greatest part about it is that there is no finish line.

It doesn’t end until you end.

This means that training gives us an opportunity to constantly improve ourselves until the very end.

What a beautiful opportunity and gift training really is.

In 15 years of training thousands of athletes, I don’t know it all, but I do know a little bit.

And I can unequivocally tell you that starting younger is better.

Obviously I’m not implying we should rush the critical process that is development, by prematurely advancing our kids, but prescribing developmentally appropriate, strategically dosed training programs in early adolescence is a cheat code.

Not only do young kids get an immediate positive return from the training and movement their bodies so desperately crave, the value travels much deeper than the surface.

By exposing kids to training early and often, we’re subconsciously weaving the critical concept of preparation for life & sport into their DNA.

And this is precisely what sets the table for future outputs and ultimately their potential.

I have watched the kids, again for over a decade, who start earlier in training have the most success in sport & life.

It’s because they can start to solidify and improve upon basic athletic skillets and movement patterns earlier.

And the earlier the foundation is poured, the faster (literally) you can begin building the house.

A deep, wide, base of general preparation is how you get ahead.

Modern society and pop culture would lead you to believe that early onset specialization is the key to getting ahead, but this is the opposite of what you want to do if you’re truly looking to give your kid an edge.

People always ask me, “What age should they start?

And my answer is always, “yesterday” (provided they have access to a big picture minded, proven professional coach who has experience training youth).

The best thing you can do for your child is find them a highly qualified professional, proven performance coach who understands Long Term Athletic Development.

Share the Post:

Related Posts