Know your numbers

No matter what your sport is, you want to know your NUMBERS. The numbers we are talking about are not game stats, but TESTING numbers. Pre-training program tests helps athletes determind where they stand athletically, and helps to give them a baseline goal of where they need to be.

The testing numbers that can be most effective in helping athletes get a gauge for where they stand can be the basics such as sprint speed, vertical/broad jumps, agility runs, and strength tests such as the bench press.

Once these tests are are performed, a proper training program can be built around the results of the tests, and the specific sport you are training for. Here are some suggestions to follow:

• Make sure the tests you perform are applicable to your sport
• Test one drill per skill (one sprint, a vertical jum, an agility drill, a strength drill)
• Be as accurate as possible when recording you results
• Test before you start a program, and about 4-6 weeks later

SPARQ Training has a great set of testing protocols to follow that are extrememly sports specific at SPARQTraining.com.

Good luck!