Strength and Conditioning Coach Questionnaire
Jason Riddell
For EliteFTS


1. What are your name, age and current position?

Jason Riddell, 27, Sports Performance Coach, Velocity Sports Performance, Baltimore

2. What kind of educational background do you have?

BS-Biology, MS-Exercise Physiology

3. What strength coach has had the most impact on you and why?

Mike Curtis (Memphis Grizzlies) for taking the time to teach me the basics and answer all my questions no matter how trivial they were. Also, Jim Roney (U of Richmond) for teaching and exposing me to the ways of the Darkside.

4. Do you still compete in athletics?

No

5. What are the most common mistakes that you see strength coaches make?

They think that there is only one way to accomplish their goal.

6. What mistakes have you made as a strength coach?

I have been guilty of throwing athletes in the deep end without first teaching them how to swim. What I mean is, I should not have grouped athletes with vastly different training levels together so early. It ended up hindering everyone's gains. A little more individualization was needed.

7. What tips and tricks can you share that have made your strength and conditioning program better?

-Technique!, Technique!, Technique! You must be a teacher foremost! A hurt athlete can't play, so teach it right. If you don't know, then go learn!!!
-Also, be open to all ideas. The best teachers are the best thieves. They steal the best from all methods and incorporate them into their own.
*Quote* "All in all, a teacher acts as a catalyst, and not only must he have a tremendous understanding; he must also posses a sensitive mind with great flexibility and adaptability. Bruce Lee"
-One other thing is get organized! Don't try and fly by the seat of your pants. Plan it out but be willing to make any change necessary.

8. What are the most glaring weaknesses you find in athletes?

Posterior chain

9. Are there any exercises that you feel every athlete, regardless of sport, should do?

Squat, Glut/Ham, Hyper and Rev Hyper.

10. What is the biggest obstacle you have to face as a strength coach?

There is a lack of knowledge and having to dispel all the trends, rumors and false notions in the industry.

11. How do you deal with hesitant and/or stubborn coaches that don't agree with your program?

I explain my philosophies the best I can and let them take away what they want from it. Once again, I am just looking for open mindness. If they choose to be ignorant, F-em!

12. What advice would you have for those wishing to become a strength coach at the collegiate level?

Be ready to deal with the politics and bullshit. The best coach doesn't always get hired for the job. If you choose to get into it though, start early as a volunteer or a GA and learn as much as possible. Also, do it for the love and not the money. Make sure you enjoy teaching and coaching first.

13. How do you explain your system/program to your athletes so that they understand what they are doing? Or do you do this at all?

I explain that we are here to become more powerful. If we simply define power as the amount of force applied over time then the athlete that can apply the maximum amount of force in the shortest amount of time is usually the more successful athlete. The athlete that can run faster, jump higher and turn quicker usually wins the game. I have never not had an athlete jump on board after telling them that.