While I still consider myself very green as a strength coach, there are some simple ideas I wish I had considered when I started my program.  The purpose of this article is to provide coaches with some practical considerations for a strength program.

1.) Be safe- As with all aspects of your coaching, strength training has safety as it's number one priority. The program loses credibility if athletes get hurt while strength training.  Your choice of exercises, method of execution, even the number of athletes in the weight room at one time, should all be considered with safety as the first priority.

2.) Remember your purpose- namely, strength improvement.  As well, remember improved strength may help reduce the risk of injury, improve the chances of returning from injury and improve performance (MAYBE).  Strength training is not guaranteed to make athletes faster, quicker, throw harder, or provide any other type of performance benefit.  However, if they are diligent in practicing the skills of their sport, they may improve in these areas.

3.) With number two in mind, seek those methods that will improve strength in the safest, most effective and most efficient manner.  Avoid copying programs because the local pro team follows it, or last year's state champs used it.  You must find what works in your program.  Consider your resources (time, equipment, space, coaching personnel, number of athletes) and work to create a program that provides progressive overload in a safe and efficient manner.

4.) Avoid getting caught up in sets and reps, developing different types of strength, or targeting muscle fibers.  Make progressive overload the mantra for your program, and stick to it.  Convince your athletes that they are to simply work as hard as they can to improve from workout to workout.  Progressive overload is not cheating to get more weight or reps, but strict performance with more weight or reps as time goes by.  Be patient when gains slow, perhaps add or take away work depending on what the athlete responds to.  Keep the big picture in mind: more weight on the bar 2 (or 3,4,5,?) months
from now.

5.) Remember the indicators of a successful strength program (no, it's not the number of championships):  Is the program safe? Do all athletes participate? Do teams train in-season? Is attendance stressed? Is there progressive overload?

While this is a simple overview, I hope it may help someone establish/improve their high school strength program.