Post by coachdbs on Sept 9, 2011 13:43:51 GMT -6
Late to the party but can tell you that dynamic stretching should have a place in youth sports...even with the younger ones who do not need any additional flexibility/mobility. Dyanmic exercises can be used to teach proper movement patterns with the young ones. As they get older (teen years)...both static and dynamic stretching can help to improve/maintain ROM/mobility.
I coach both youth and HS football and can tell you that it is scary how many young (teens) football players have very poor flexibility (especially tight hip flexors) and are already developing upper-crossed syndrome from the countless hours they spend slumped over playing video games, computer games, or watching the boob tube.
If you don't stretch your athletes...your call but to generalize and say that coaches should not stretch their young athletes is ridiculous.
I would also try to stay away from static stretching the little guys...as a general rule they do not need any additional flexiblity.
Here is a short but good article written by Brian Grasso on youth stretching: iyca.org/flexibility-training-for-young-athletes/
I coach both youth and HS football and can tell you that it is scary how many young (teens) football players have very poor flexibility (especially tight hip flexors) and are already developing upper-crossed syndrome from the countless hours they spend slumped over playing video games, computer games, or watching the boob tube.
If you don't stretch your athletes...your call but to generalize and say that coaches should not stretch their young athletes is ridiculous.
I would also try to stay away from static stretching the little guys...as a general rule they do not need any additional flexiblity.
Here is a short but good article written by Brian Grasso on youth stretching: iyca.org/flexibility-training-for-young-athletes/