Youth Level Foundational training Macrocycle 1

Weeks 1-5 of Macrocycle 1 for Foundational training. This is a twice a week resistance program. Perform 5-10 minutes of a dynamic warm-up. Complete supersets of 2-3 exercises with 60 seconds rest between exercises. Rest 1-2 minutes between circuits.

Lunge onto Box

1) Start position: Stand with feet hip width apart. Place hands on waist or out to sides for stability.
2) Step forward 2-3 feet and place foot onto a box 12-24” high.
3) Pushing off front foot, return to start position. Continue with same leg or alternate as prescribed.
4) Remember to keep head and back upright in a neutral position. Shoulders and hips should remain squared at all times.

Standard Pushup

1. Lie face down on the floor with hands palm down, fingers pointing straight ahead, and aligned at the nipple line.
2. Place hands slightly wider than shoulder width, and feet should be at hip width with toes on floor.
3. Start position: Extend the elbows and raise the body off the floor.
4. Lower your entire body (legs, hips, trunk, and head) 4-8 inches from the floor.
5. Return to the start position by extending at the elbows and pushing the body up.
6. Remember to keep the head and trunk stabilized in a neutral position by isometrically contracting the abdominal and back muscles. Never fully lock out the elbows at the start position and avoid hyperextension of the low back.

Back Extension

1) Position body face down on apparatus placing hips and ankles on respective pads.
2) Place hips (and not stomach) on pad. Place lower leg or achilles tendon area on pad. Cross arms and place on chest.
3) Start position: Back should be parallel to ground with knees slightly bent.
4) Lower body until legs and hip are approximately at 90°.
5) Return to start position.
6) To increase resistance, place arms behind head -> arms extended overhead -> holding weight plate or weighted object across chest.

Lying Hamstring Curl

1) Lie face down on bench with pad adjusted to fit behind ankles. If machine does not angle upper torso downward, it is recommended that a pillow be placed underneath stomach.
2) Start position: Position knees below bottom edge of bench or pad. Legs should be straight with knees aligned to the lever arm axis of motion and hands grasping handles or side of bench (if applicable).
3) Raise lever arm by flexing at the knees past 90°.
4) Return to start position.
5) Remember to keep hips in contact with bench at all times. Do not hyperextend the low back during movement.

Seated Shoulder Press (lever)

1. Sit in upright position or stand with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent.
2. Start position: Position barbell to ear level with an overhand grip (palms facing forward).
3. Press hands up above head keeping wrists over the elbows and arms moving parallel to body at all times.
4. Return to start position.
5. Remember to keep back and head straight in a neutral position - hyperextension or excessive flexion may cause injury.

Seated Incline Cable Extension

1) Sit in upright position at about a 45 degree angle.
2) Start position: Grasp bar shoulder or medium width apart with overhand grip (palms down). Press bar directly overhead (now palms are up).
3) Stabilize shoulders and lower weight moving only at the elbow joint until forearm is parallel to floor. Keep elbows pointing forward throughout movement.
4) Return to start position.
Remember to keep back and head straight - hyperextension or flexion may cause injury.

Machine Seated Calf Raise

1. Sit in the machine and place your knees underneath the pad and the balls of your feet on the foot plate.
2. Raise your heels up towards the ceiling and release the safety stop.
3. Start movement by lowering your heels towards the floor to the fullest range of motion. Flex your calves and push the balls of your feet into the foot plate and raise your heels up towards the ceiling.
4. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Pullups (assisted)

1) Position hands wider than shoulder width apart with overhand grip (palms facing forward).
2) Start position: Hang with arms fully extended and elbows facing away from body. Feet may be crossed with knees bent or stand on foot platform
3) Pull body up until bar is below chin level.
4) Return to start position.
6) Remember to keep the movement controlled with the body stable to minimize momentum and body sway. If the bar is too high, it is advisable to use a step to ensure proper hand placement as well as safety. Pick a weight that allows you to fatigue at the prescribed repetitions.

Lateral Raise

1) Sit on bench in upright position.
2) Start position: Arms should hang down at sides with elbows slightly bent.
3) Raise arms to side of body at shoulder height keeping elbows only slightly bent.
4) Return to start position.
5) Remember to keep back and head straight in a neutral position - hyperextension or flexion may cause injury. Keep shoulders stabilized by squeezing shoulder blades together throughout movement.

Dumbbell Hammer Curl

1) Stand with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent or sit in upright position.
2) Start position: Grasp DB’s with neutral grip (palms facing each other) and allow arms to hang down at sides. Elbows should be close to sides.
3) Flex at the elbows and curl DB’s up to approximately shoulder level. Keep elbows close to sides throughout movement. This exercise may be done one arm at a time.
4) Return to start position.

Bicycle Crunch

1) Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest.
2) Start position: Place hands behind head. Straighten right leg.
3) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominals and raise shoulders off floor or bench. During the crunch, bring right knee towards chest.
4) Return to start position and repeat with the left leg.
5) Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury.