12/30/2025
🚨This is a performance training awareness post. Keep reading 👇🏼
The actual number of ACL tears in the U.S. each year is estimated to be closer to 200,000.
With the evolving landscape of high-level athletics, youth athletes are starting to specialize in their sport earlier and earlier.
This means they’re spending even more time throughout the year playing their sport — often year-round with very little break.
That, in turn, leaves even less time to address strength, movement skills, and recovery.
I strongly believe that every competitive athlete needs to view performance training as their second sport — one that’s just as important as their primary focus.
It’s a necessary vehicle not only to improve performance on the field or court, but to lower the risk of injuries that could keep them out of the game for a year or more.
Also, notice my wording: performance training.
I use that intentionally to differentiate from general strength training. Not all training is equal — especially when it comes to weight training.
Too many young athletes with no training experience are introduced to forms of weight room work that aren’t appropriate if we’re truly preparing them for sport.
Lifting like a bodybuilder or crossfitter is not the same as training like a soccer player. Do you jump, sprint, and cut for your sport? Then it should probably be a part of the training you do to prepare yourself.
True performance training is designed to meet the specific needs of the athlete — for their sport, at a specific time of year.
Dedicated performance training throughout a career is what separates:
1. Athletes who stay on the field,
2. Those who successfully return from major injuries, and
3. Those who make it to and succeed at the highest levels of play.
It’s time for athletes, parents, coaches, and rehab providers to take a preventative stance. These injuries are far easier to prevent than they are to deal with afterward.
