Training for young athletes: Andy Larmour

Working with young athletes can be some of the most rewarding work possible.

It is impossible not to feed off the energy and enthusiasm of a genuinely talented individual irrespective of their chosen sport.

The musculoskeletal screening that we have developed aims to guide the athlete in ways to maximise their efficiency and therefore improve results and minimise risk of injury.

I believe passionately in a concept I term “The Four Pillars”. These are Posture, Strength, Flexibility and Control. I use this a tool to guide athletes in the direction that I feel they should concentrate their efforts to maximise results.

I have never been a fan of endless exercises for individuals. Providing too many exercises is unrealistic and unfair on an athlete as they often can not complete them. This sets them up fail and can affect the ‘partnership’ between you. I concentrate efforts on one or two areas (or Pillars) with a maximum of three or four daily exercises. This exercises or routines must be performed in a structured way with a strict emphasis on the quality rather than quantity. Give me fifteen minutes of quality work every time rather than two hours of going through the motions.

Andy Larmour