SMART™ Fundamentals (9-12 years) and SMART™ Advanced (13 years and up) are cutting edge programs for young athletes to develop speed, movement, agility and reaction skills. SMART uses unique, dynamic movement games and drills that directly transfer to athletic performance. Designed and delivered by SPG's experts in athletic movement and youth training, with over 30 combined years of working with national level youth athletes, SMART is the best place for your child to develop the speed and movement to enjoy and excel at a range of sports, from baseball to soccer, basketball to lacrosse.
How is the program different from other speed & agility programs?
SMART is designed and delivered by SPG's experts in athletic movement and youth training, with over 30 combined years of working with national level youth athletes. We see the movement limitations and biases that others don't see, and insist on excellent technique. We also understand that learning speed and movement should be fun. Traditional movement programs are not only often boring for kids but don't actually develop the movement patterns they need to be good at any sport. SMART uses unique, dynamic movement games and drills which directly transfer to athletic performance. Developing a centered athletic body position, the ability to accelerate and cut in any direction, strong body positioning to move in any direction, the ability to move well to both sides, quicker reactions to opponents, and greater balance & stability so that your child is less likely to get hurt. Lastly, there is no standing in lines at SMART, maximizing the amount of time for your child to have fun and develop their speed and movement.
Why start with SMART Fundamentals?
The 9-12 year age group is a key time for developing great fundamental mechanics for speed and movement. This is essential for improving performance and reducing the risk of injury on the field or court. All too often coaches will try to develop this later in an athlete's development, after bad habits have formed. However, changing such poor technique in the future is not only difficult but is also demotivating for athletes. "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over" John Wooden
What are the other benefits of the SMART programs?
Under the guidance of SPG's Dr. Neal Bowes Ph.D., CC-AASP, we have devised a unique learning experience. The SMART programs develop:
Because of this experience, SMART Fundamentals athletes achieve more not only in sport, but also in school!
What happens at a SMART session?
Each weekly session incorporates a range of fun dynamic movement games and drills to develop speed and agility in a variety of movement patterns. Each session starts with a dynamic warm-up and finishes with a cool down, teaching young athletes the importance of these periods in developing performance and reducing injury. Individual challenges are set within each activity to fit the different ability levels in the class, ensuring every young athlete is encouraged to work to meet their challenge and gets to feel successful when they achieve their goal.
