High school coach vs. the club coach
Organized sports played among youth participants are usually in the form of club sports or school athletic teams. It is also likely that those who participate in club sports are also members of their high school teams. Having the opportunity to represent your school at a city or provincial championship engenders a sense of school…
Mindset: Mental Strategies to perform at your best
Elite athletes have an exceptional ability to rise to the occasion when called upon to perform. Whether it is making that big shot to win the game or making a dazzling pass that scores the winning goal, most coaches want their best player to have the ball when the game is on the line. But…
The Runner’s Tummy
Experiencing physical activity by training to compete or exercising to improve our health are two ways to enhance quality of life. As you are going about your routine, stomach cramps can sometimes cause discomfort and cut short your workout. Runner’s tummy or gastrointestinal (GI) issues can hinder your ability to perform or achieve your activity…
Active Recovery
Recovery is paramount to attaining peak performance and minimizing the chances of overtraining. For athletes who carry out repeated bouts of high intensity workouts, the ability to recover between the repetitions and the days between these sessions can improve performance. Being able to recover quickly allows the athlete to apply more stress during training and…
The cheater’s high: why do athletes cheat?
Athletes train to be able to compete at their best with integrity, honesty and the hope their opponents have done the same, although sometimes this is not the case. Cheating is nothing new; resorting to anything to get an edge on your opponent, has long been part of the history of sport. Whether it is…
What is better, morning or evening exercise?
For most people daily exercise is dictated by when they can fit it in during their busy schedules. We all know that physical activity has many health benefits and doing the recommended minimum has a better outcome than being inactive. Some people are adamant that morning sweat is the best way to start their days…
When does a routine become a habit?
As an athlete, taking some time off from your sport is an essential part of the training process. After a long season your body needs time to recover. Getting away from your sport for a while also helps rejuvenate that passion and fire to compete and train again. When you return to training, the first…
The Best Defensive Techniques in Soccer
By Amanda Johnston – Algonquin Sport Business Management student With the 2014 FIFA World Cup underway, everyone around the world is talking about these elite teams and how they will apply specific strategies to win the coveted World Cup. Players, coaches, and fans across the globe have high demands for achieving the most efficient tactical…
Is momentum important to the outcome of a match?
Fans, coaches, players and play-by-play announcers love to use the word momentum to describe the turning point of a game or a match. Gaining momentum is thought of as a positive outcome while losing momentum is the opposite. This is more evident during a 7 game series where one team can erase a 3-0 series…
How can caffeine enhance athletic performance?
Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive substance in the world. It can be found in plants, prescription and non-prescription medication, cola soft drinks, and energy drinks. In the world of athletics, caffeine is an ergogenic aid, a substance used for a competitive advantage. There is general agreement that caffeine does not appear to benefit athletes…