The Jumps: A Comprehensive Training System (2023)
It is with great pleasure that I present The Jumps: A Comprehensive Training System, my second book on the development of jumpers for the sport of track and field. My first book, The Horizontal Jumps: Planning for Long Term Development (2012), was an introductory resource that, looking back, was a book written for athletes by a (then) athlete. The book provided a platform to help many coaches and athletes, and I am forever grateful for that opportunity.
Spending many years coaching in the youth sport arena, as well as several at the collegiate and post-collegiate level has provided me with an invaluable coaching foundation. I am grateful to be in the position I am today, not only coaching wonderful student-athletes in the sport of track and field, but also serving as a mentor to younger coaches whose paths are similar to mine. This comes with a responsibility to share honest and accurate information and to provide coaches with the ability to think critically and establish philosophies of their own. Today, the market is saturated with ideas and opinions. With the amount of information available, the need for clarity and direction is at an all-time high. With that being said, I would like to clarify what this book IS and what it is NOT:
• It will not read like a review of scientific literature: The most relatable applied coaching resources are concise, understandable, and ready to use. Any necessary discussion of scientific principles will be foundational and applied specifically to the development of jumpers.
• It is not a review of other coaches’ training systems: This book will serve two main purposes. First, as an outline of jumps-related training concepts and methodology, and second, as the complete description of a uniquely integrated approach using the traditional concepts and programing strategies discussed.
• It is not an exhaustive list of possible exercises, methods, and training ideas: No training system is absolute or without the potential for interchangeable components. While resourcefulness and flexibility are key coaching traits, it is important to distinguish between program essentials and fleeting trends or aberrations.
• It is not a guide to general or youth athletic development: Many concepts discussed throughout this book can benefit speed/power athletes across multiple disciplines, ages, and levels. From a program design and periodization standpoint, it is a recommended and beneficial resource to all sport coaches and strength and conditioning practitioners.
The Jumps: A Comprehensive Training System will provide a hierarchy of components, as well as all necessary steps required for developing a program in its entirety. Below are the key features of the book:
• Review of Foundational Principles: A discussion of the important principles behind training concepts and specific methodology.
• Needs Analyses of the Jumping Events: Complete breakdown of event specific needs, criteria for talent identification, and assessment metrics.
• Testing Battery/Testing Standards: A complete testing battery and standards chart along with training inventory is included and ready to use.
• Bio-Motor Development: Detailed and specific descriptions of the training methods and protocols found in the periodized training programs.
• Technical Analysis and Coaching: An in-depth technical breakdown of each event and specific methods of developing each technical component.
• Learning and Communication Strategies and Coaching Scenarios: Discussion of methods and strategies to optimize learning potential, coaching communication, and competition performance.
• Periodization and Fully Integrated Programs: A comprehension look at periodization strategies and how to implement them successfully. Fully periodized training programs for varying levels are included.
Spending many years coaching in the youth sport arena, as well as several at the collegiate and post-collegiate level has provided me with an invaluable coaching foundation. I am grateful to be in the position I am today, not only coaching wonderful student-athletes in the sport of track and field, but also serving as a mentor to younger coaches whose paths are similar to mine. This comes with a responsibility to share honest and accurate information and to provide coaches with the ability to think critically and establish philosophies of their own. Today, the market is saturated with ideas and opinions. With the amount of information available, the need for clarity and direction is at an all-time high. With that being said, I would like to clarify what this book IS and what it is NOT:
• It will not read like a review of scientific literature: The most relatable applied coaching resources are concise, understandable, and ready to use. Any necessary discussion of scientific principles will be foundational and applied specifically to the development of jumpers.
• It is not a review of other coaches’ training systems: This book will serve two main purposes. First, as an outline of jumps-related training concepts and methodology, and second, as the complete description of a uniquely integrated approach using the traditional concepts and programing strategies discussed.
• It is not an exhaustive list of possible exercises, methods, and training ideas: No training system is absolute or without the potential for interchangeable components. While resourcefulness and flexibility are key coaching traits, it is important to distinguish between program essentials and fleeting trends or aberrations.
• It is not a guide to general or youth athletic development: Many concepts discussed throughout this book can benefit speed/power athletes across multiple disciplines, ages, and levels. From a program design and periodization standpoint, it is a recommended and beneficial resource to all sport coaches and strength and conditioning practitioners.
The Jumps: A Comprehensive Training System will provide a hierarchy of components, as well as all necessary steps required for developing a program in its entirety. Below are the key features of the book:
• Review of Foundational Principles: A discussion of the important principles behind training concepts and specific methodology.
• Needs Analyses of the Jumping Events: Complete breakdown of event specific needs, criteria for talent identification, and assessment metrics.
• Testing Battery/Testing Standards: A complete testing battery and standards chart along with training inventory is included and ready to use.
• Bio-Motor Development: Detailed and specific descriptions of the training methods and protocols found in the periodized training programs.
• Technical Analysis and Coaching: An in-depth technical breakdown of each event and specific methods of developing each technical component.
• Learning and Communication Strategies and Coaching Scenarios: Discussion of methods and strategies to optimize learning potential, coaching communication, and competition performance.
• Periodization and Fully Integrated Programs: A comprehension look at periodization strategies and how to implement them successfully. Fully periodized training programs for varying levels are included.
