Yea… I understand calling a kid lazy might me a little harsh. But if you understood how far Alex Verikas (Carlynton HS, Junior) has come you’d completely understand. A few short years ago he walked into the gym an awkward, weak kid with a bit of an attitude. Fast forward to the present and you’ll find a dedicated, detailed athlete who understands his roll and responsibilities. Numbers aside (dude weighs 260 and continues to drop the smooth) there are three things we concentrated on to find this kid: 1-Influence, 2-Communication, and 3-Expectations. Amazing what you can get out of someone when they know how much you care. Need someone to care about you? Call me (724) 747-6229.
“When I first started FOCUS four years ago I was uncoordinated and not very strong. But working with Ryan, Josh and the other FOCUS athletes (namely Michael Dunn and Brandon Gresh) I became the focus(ed) athlete I am today. Gotta say thanks to my MOM for providing the opportunity… love you MOM.”
Winter workouts have been going awesome thus far. Our DIEHARD athletes (those that train with FOCUS year round) are well beyond this time last year. I can really see program targets clicking with these kids. It truly makes a different when a high school athlete knows you care about them, and in return they trust everything they’re asked to do.
Check out this video of winter workouts in action. Are you one of the athletes that have a roster spot?
Often times you’ll hear me talk about The FOCUS System. It’s what I use to plan and prepare training programs. One of the first places I start is determining the training season (that falls in line with the sport season). By identifying the training season, I get a better handle where I should be concentrating for each athlete.
For Halloween I ran a contest to see who could guess what my son was going to be for his first Halloween (he’s only 5 months old). To play, all you had to do was reply to one of the normally scheduled emails that go out to subscribers. You could only guess one time per reply but had unlimited chances to get it right.
After over 40 replies with some off the wall guesses Emily Rock from Bishop Canevin high school was the winner. The picture above is Emily receiving her $20 Gift Card to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
It pays to be on our email list and stay active with the emails. If you’re not signed up already, go to the top right side of the home page and enter your name and best email. Maybe you’ll be the next one to cash in!
What were you for Halloween? Have any pictures? Let me know in the comment section below!
Check out this highlight reel of local athletes from Bishop Canevin High School. FOCUS has worked with athletes from this district since 2004, seeing kids develop from 7th grade into their first year of college. You’ll see training at the school’s weight room and field, plus the facility we use in Robinson.
This past summer marked the first official Athlete Development Program (ADP) available to all sports at the school. Coach Josh and I coached 20 workouts covering seven weeks. It was an awesome experience to see kids, parents, coaches, and administrators go from hesitant and skeptical to true believers.
Watch the video and leave your comments below. If you want training like this for your athletes, give us a call at (724) 747-6229.
Check out this video of Greg Jones (Denison University) and Nick Sylvester (Bishop Canevin HS) doing a couple barbell lunge variations. Both are super talented and aggressive athletes who take it to a new level every workout. Check out Greg’s balance and flexibility – something he needs as starting wide receiver in college. Nick on the other hand.. he loves pushing the weight. Watch close because the 255lbs he has on his back almost gets the most of him.
Think you can train with these guys? Really? OK… call (724) 747-6229 or email support@focushpp.com and lets find out.
I’ve touched on it many times , but recently it was brought back up. Last week I received a couple phone calls from girls basketball coaches (one from Georgia, the other from Wisconsin). They had seen a FOUCS training video on YouTube (see it here).
Both coaches said almost the exact same thing:
“Hey Ryan, great video… it spoke to my situation. I’m a girls basketball coach and really want to incorporate some of the stuff you’re doing with my girls. I need help putting together a speed and agility program. We have a weight room but I think speed and agility is where I’d like to start.”
Speed and agility drills are all fine and dandy, but big improvements to physical performance are made in the weight room. Read the rest of this entry »
The good days of summer vacation. The time when families schedule quality outings together. When the pace slows a bit and food tastes a little sweeter. When you can do your own thing for a few days on end.
I’m a believer in summer vacations, espically when you’ve been putting in the time training like a mad-man (or mad-woman). Getting away from the daily grind can reset your intensity and recharge your batteries. But, sometimes summer vacations can ruin steady progress. Unfortunately I see it every summer. This happens when vacation falls at the wrong time. Either too close to camp or too many consecutive days with nothing.
Being the soft hearted coach I am (cough-cough) I fully understand vacations often take priority over workout sessions. Here’s 6 tips to make sure you never skip a beat while on summer vacation:
1. Make sure you’re entire program is accounted for. All our individual training sessions are based on targets for that week. Each week is based on targets for the month. Each month is based on our long term Athlete Development Programs. All this coencides with the start of your season. Done correctly, you’re program can be manipulated so targets are hit and steady progress continues.
2. Communicate the time you’ll be away far in advance. The sooner I know when you’re gone, the better I can plan your targets. Don’t drop it on me after a Thursday session like ”hey Ryan, I uh, I won’t be here for the next two weeks.. what do you want me to do”.
3. Know where you’re going. Google maps can give you a satellite picture of the mailbox number to my parent’s farm (in rural Greene County). You should have some idea where you’re going. If it’s the beach, we can plan for it. If it’s grandma’s in Tennessee, we can plan for it. I still haven’t been able to locate the place called ”I’m Not Really Sure”.
The coveted Black Shirt. Everybody wants one. Not everybody gets one. These are reserved for coaches and top performers. If you’re out and about and see an athlete sporting an all black FOCUS t-shirt with DIEHARD down the spine.. take notice. You’ve just witnessed something special.
Take Patrick Clark, pictured here with Coach Josh and myself. He was recently presented with a Black Shirt for his enduring commitment to sport practice and FOCUS. This kid has come a long way. From a scrawny 135 pound soccer ‘participant’ to 165 pound PLAYER. He’s faster, stronger, and better conditioned. Congrats to Patrick on his Black Shirt. He’s officially a lot cooler than you.
Yea… I understand calling a kid lazy might me a little harsh. But if you understood how far Alex Verikas (Carlynton HS, Junior) has come you’d completely understand. A few short years ago he walked into the gym an awkward, weak kid with a bit of an attitude. Fast forward to the present and you’ll find a dedicated, detailed athlete who understands his roll and responsibilities. Numbers aside (dude weighs 260 and continues to drop the smooth) there are three things we concentrated on to find this kid: 1-Influence, 2-Communication, and 3-Expectations. Amazing what you can get out of someone when they know how much you care. Need someone to care about you? Call me (724) 747-6229.
