Long-Term Athletic Development

By Trevor Jones Ms, CSCS

Developing athletes the right way takes time, patience, and—most importantly—consistency. Unfortunately, instant gratification has taken over today’s society, especially when it comes to training. When that happens, the foundational steps are often overlooked in the rush to produce quick results. But more often than not, the performances you see on the field from your favorite athletes come from long hours of consistent, foundational work.

In the early years of training, mastering basic movement patterns is essential. Movement quality should be the primary goal. That’s what leads to the big lifts and explosive movements later in an athlete’s development. Results will come if the process is followed correctly, day in and day out. If this foundational phase is skipped, it will catch up to the athlete sooner or later. Think of it like school: you wouldn’t teach a child multiplication before they’ve learned how to add and subtract. So why would you start an athlete with advanced training if they haven’t yet mastered the basics? Doing so sets them up for failure early.

Teaching the basics early on eliminates future problems. No one wants an athlete to regress later because their form isn't up to par with their peers. A house built on a weak foundation will always fall. One built on a strong foundation will stand the test of time. Athletes must learn how to squat and hinge at the hips properly. Skipping this step can lead to injuries down the road.

Strength training should be viewed as the tool that enhances the other qualities needed to be a great athlete. Today, skill development is overemphasized. Too many games and practices are being prioritized, while strength training is often neglected. As a result, athletes are weaker and less prepared to handle the physical demands placed on them from an early age. If strength, speed, and power development aren’t prioritized, skill training can only take an athlete so far. Without the physical foundation, they either peak too early or plateau. Skill enhancement begins in the weight room—there’s no way around it.

We see it all the time: young athletes dominate their age group early because they’ve hit the genetic lottery. With early success comes recognition, and often, the false belief that they don’t need to develop in the weight room. But once their peers start catching up physically, these early bloomers start to fall behind. Why? Because they didn’t build their foundation when it mattered most. At the next level, the athletes who took their training seriously will always surpass those who relied on talent alone. That’s because they built a foundation of movement quality, strength, speed, and power from day one.

For novice athletes, getting stronger in the weight room directly translates to improved athleticism. It raises their athletic ceiling. If this step is skipped, skill development will eventually stagnate, and injuries become more likely. The foundational period is the most critical phase in an athlete’s career.

True athletic development isn’t about shortcuts or quick fixes—it’s about laying a solid foundation and building upon it with consistency, discipline, and intent. At TFP, we believe in doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easiest or fastest path. Mastering the basics, prioritizing strength, and focusing on long-term growth is what separates good athletes from great ones. Our mission is to prepare athletes not just for their next game, but for the demands of the highest level of competition. When the foundation is strong, the potential is limitless.

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