AAAA SECURITY

Resources are materials which have got value, and are used to satisfy our needs.

To each and everyone of us our needs are met by different resources. Some people find handwriting notes better than computers, and the computer people love the ability to type up their notes. Regardless of which one you are, you find a tool to be a resource.

One resource I use when writing out clients program is AAAA. I got the framework from coach Joel Jamieson from 8 weeks out, and triple AAA insurance. Each A stands for a question Joel Jamieson has in his course, that I feel adds security and insurance to a program.

The first A we have to answer helps us gather information about our clients needs. We must answer the first A before we create any other part of the program.

What is an Accurate and full understanding of the sport?

In this section we need to really understand what demands the athlete is subjected to.

I like to find things like

1. How many players are on the team?

2. What's the work to rest ratios of the player?

3. How many positions are there?

4. What implements do they use?

5. What are the rules?

6. How do they win?

7. Big organizations that represent the sport?

8. What environment do they play on ?

9. When is the season starting/ ending

Number nine is probably the most important step here, because we need to work around big competitions, and formulate goals based off the season they're in. (More on this later)

After we gathered all the information we need we can move to the second A in AAAA.

The second A is all about finding out about your client/athlete and putting them into the puzzle of programming.

What is an accurate Assessment of my client/ athlete?

We need to focus on what the assessments the sport emphasizes. What the standards are from position to position, and as an athlete playing the sport? Think about the NFL and the 225lbs bench press for reps.

I usually use this time to see what position the athletes start in. The amount of time they usually play. The injuries most commonly associated with the sport. The sequences and trends that are in, or have been in. The last one is who in the sport is doing amazing things? All this information can help us make the picture more clear and see it as a whole.

Seeing everything as a whole leads us to the 3 A in AAAA.

What is an Annual plan?

Remember in the first A I said number 9 we needed to have a starting and an endpoint of the season? This step serves as a bridge to those two points.

We need to know things like

1. What time of the season they're in?

2. Pre/early/regular/ competition/ off-season

3. Depending on the season our goals will change. Ex.) Off-season they can put muscle on vs. In season we want to maintain strength.

4. What types of periodization are we going to use?

5. What are the Exercise selection and progression they will need?

Each client will need to make changes as they progress throughout the Macrocycle (yearly) schedule. They may want to compete at an earlier date, do a travel league, or join a recreational program. Whatever they decide, we as coaches have to be flexible.

Flexibility leads us to our final step in AAAA.

What are Adjustments we can make to the program?

This step is crucial because it allows us to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances that may occur. We have to implement progressive, regressive, and recovery methods to keep progress moving forward.

Some things I will adjust.

1. Volume (sets x reps)

2. Training Frequency (how many/much)

3. Fuel (macronutrients)

4. Days off

5. Intensity

6. Adaptation (when competition occurs sooner)

Whatever the context or situation we run into as coaches we need to have our athletes covered. Our insurance policy is AAAA, and this keeps our athletes on the field healthy and dominant in their sport. We want to see their performance increase and with that their success. The best approach is allowing them to get their reps in.

Keep getting your reps in AMRAP as many reps as possible.

-Coach Austin Structured Strength Systems -