Youth Strength & Conditioning Certification (YSCC)

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Youth Athletic Development Coach

Gain the knowledge and coaching skills for youth athletic development on EPI’s Youth Strength & Conditioning Certification (YSCC) course.

Course Background:

The Youth Strength & Conditioning Certification (YSCC) in an introductory-level course and offers an evidence-based introduction to the theory and safe practice of youth athletic development. The 3 day certification course focusses on training centered on the concept of long-term athletic development (LTAD) of young athletes from 6 to 17-year-olds.

The YSCC course is specifically aimed at fitness professionals, physiotherapists, sports coaches and PE teachers who want to enhance youth athletic development and/or set-up a youth academy for their club or gym. During the course, participants will learn EPI’ youth pathway involving foundation, development and performance phases. In addition, participants will receive our Level 1-3 exercise library for fundamental movement skills (FMS), strength and power development.

A particular focus during the course is on the application of a “games based” approach to speed, agility and conditioning. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and coaching skills for developing youth athleticism within the community and sport-related environments.

Upon completion of the course, there will be a YSCC online exam to become a certified Youth Strength & Conditioning Coach. The online exam can be taken within 4 weeks of completing the course.

Lecture & Practical Sessions:

The YSCC Course provides expert instruction on the systems and methodologies for youth Strength & Conditioning through three days of classroom lectures, small-group coaching sessions, and coach-led workouts. The YSCC Course environment and all aspects of the course are supportive of all levels of participants, from the absolute beginner to the more experienced.

Lecture Sessions:

YSCC course lecture sessions include:

1. Youth training system
2. Growth, maturation & long term athlete development (LTAD)
3. Coaching youth athletes with the youth athlete pyramid (YAP)
4. Program design for youth athletic development
5. Planning & periodization for youth athletic development

Practical Sessions:

YSCC course practical sessions include:

1. Youth fitness testing and profiling
2. Warm-up games
3. Fundamental movement skills (FMS)
4. Gymnastic shapes & positions
5. Athletic motor skill competencies (exercise library)
6. Speed and agility games

Course Content:

Some of the topics delivered on the YSCC Course includes:

• Growth and maturation
• Fitness testing & monitoring
• EPI youth pathway (foundation, development & performance phases)
• Fundamental movement skills (FMS)
• Gymnastic shapes & positions
• Athletic Motor Skill Competencies (AMSC)
• Speed & agility games
• Long term athlete development (LTAD)
• Youth physical development (YPD) model
• Youth athlete program design

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this course the participant will:

• Understand growth and maturation in the context of youth development
• Conduct a fitness assessment of young athlete(s)
• Gain a range of practical coaching skills
  • Warm up protocol
  • Fundamental movement skills
  • Gymnastic fundamentals
  • Acceleration speed
  • Agility
  • Strength development
  • Power development
  • Conditioning games
• Formulate programs to improve youth athleticism
• Understand peak height velocity (PHV) in youth coaching
• Apply a long term athlete development (LTAD) model
• Devise various programs for strength, power, speed and fitness