Season 5 Ep 11 — Youth Development and Age-Appropriate Progression With Lance Watson

TrainingPeaks CoachCast

In this episode, Lance and Dirk discuss the importance of cultivating a multidimensional sports foundation for young athletes before zeroing in on a particular sport. Hear about the upsides of a mixed sporting background and the risks of early specialization. Lance also shares insightful experiences as a coach (guiding Brent McMahon from the junior ranks to retirement from the pro circuit) and a parent of two high-performing kids.

When is the right time for a young athlete to specialize in a sport? How far is too far for those athletes? What role do parents play in the progression of their children's athletics? Why is it important for young athletes to have a broad range of skills? Find out what has worked for Lance and his athletes for over 25 years, including his son and daughter.