Early Season - Structuring the Plan #3

You Asked For This

The last time we saw each other on Team Leadership you voted for the next topic of conversation. Thanks to all who voted and here we go!

It’s Up To You

Each coach has their own version of Early Season Training. There’s no USTFCCCA formula that “makes” champions.

Some believe EVERYTHING before the first meet is conditioning. Some coaches believe in a 6-week block of conditioning prior to early season.

 So When Is Early-Season?

Early-season is the time between conditioning and the first meet. I do a 4-week block of conditioning, and then I start early-season training.

When and what you do for early-season is up to you to figure out. In this post, I will share my general framework for early-season training.

My goal is to emotionally and physically prepare athletes for those first meets in December and early January. I want them to feel confident in the training but most importantly I want them to feel confident in themselves regardless of the results.

Early-Season Framework

Early-season, compared to pre-season/conditioning, is at least double the amount of practice time. This means I can increase instruction, skill/tech work, practice length, and add cooldowns.

Tempo Day - Monday

Tempo = running at a pace with short rest then repeat

During tempo practices, I’m looking for consistent speed not max effort speed.