Posts by David Rudnick
Post 19 – Does More Plyometric Training Mean a Higher Vertical Jump?
The Myth Want a higher vertical? Most kids buy into the same myth about vertical jump training: jump more to get a higher vertical and reach your dunking dreams. But almost every new client who walks into PPT already working on their vertical has the same story: they’re doing too much, and their knees already…
Read MorePost 18 – “I want my young athlete to strength train, but no weights, please.” — Why Bodyweight-Only Training is Shortchanging Your Child
Introduction Your young basketball player is progressing, excelling in their skills, and competing at a high level. However, to keep advancing and competing as they move up in age groups and intensity, you recognize a critical need: they must become stronger, faster, more explosive, and more resilient. So, you contact a strength coach to…
Read MorePost 17 – Is Strength Training Safe for Youth? Is it effective?
Is Strength Training Safe for Youth? Is it effective? As parents, it is natural to be protective of your young athletes. When you hear that our program includes resistance training and plyometrics, questions about safety, growth, and effectiveness often arise immediately. Here are some of the most common questions and concerns I get from parents…
Read MorePost 16 – Training Frequency
Training Frequency This article can be useful for anyone looking to determine how many times a week to train but it’s really written specifically for PPT clients. My goal is to help PPT clients and athletes pick the right training frequency for their goals, needs, and specific circumstances. The PPT Process Biomechanical Assessment When you…
Read MorePost 15 – Unilateral Squat Variations and Progressions
Not all Unilateral Exercises are Created Equally! The content in this article is based on concepts from: Alex Natera’s “Load Comparison Ratio in Single and Double Leg Movements for UKSCA while at Aspire in Dohar, Qatar” Mike Boyle’s explanation of these concepts in “Mike Boyle – Unilateral Training Revisited (MBSC Thrive Summit 2021)” Unilateral Squat…
Read MorePost 14 – Better Basketball Defensive Drill Sergeants
Drill sergeant is a classic basketball camp/clinic drill. It’s not a bad one, but the way it’s typically done is missing out on a huge opportunity to get kids better at defense! Usually, it’s all about working hard and getting kids tired. While conditioning is an important aspect of basketball performance, we can increase the…
Read MorePost 13 – Basketball Speed Myths
I’ll admit it. I’ve been involved in basketball as a player, a coach, a camp director, a parent, and strength coach for over 30 years, yet I too have been a victim of a number of widespread basketball speed myths. I’ve been taught incorrect, unnatural, sub-optimal techniques by my coaches, who learned from their coaches. …
Read MorePost 12 – Lessons Learned from My Rehab
Make Your Rehab Your Prehab I didn’t follow my own advice! I always tell athletes that if you have been injured you have to “make your rehab your prehab”. Often, when an athlete gets injured, if they are even disciplined enough to do the rehab program, they often completely drop every rehab exercise once they…
Read MorePost 11 – Coaches – Here’s How You Can Help your Athletes Develop a More Balanced Body
10,000 Reps on ONE Leg. ZERO on the other!!! Basketball Coaches! Did you know that there’s something you’re doing in your practices that may be causing some of your athletes to get 10,000+ reps on ONE Leg and NONE on the other. Almost all coaches make their athletes run line drills for some reason at…
Read MorePost 10 – Don’t Stop Training when you have an injured limb!
Shout-out to this amazing young athlete who worked with us to develop a safe plan to keep training and making gains while he rehabs from a wrist injury. Training Through Injury Many athletes completely stop training when they have an injured limb. But that can set you back by weeks or months. Continue training! If…
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