as a high school coach even with the best of intentions keeping to an inseason weight program is tough and neglected. i've been thinking about doing this prepractice this year. we usually dont start practice until an hour after school anyway to give the jv and 8th grade teams some field time. i think if we lift before practice we would stick to a program. i'm not an expert but don't think it will hurt anything. our football and basketball teams do it with no ill effects and i know alot of pros do it. i'd like all of your comments and opinions on this - especially comments from professionals like jon doyle and steve ellis.

For what it is worth, my son's coach had early morning lifting. Kids met before school and lifted as a team. Made for some cold early wake up calls but it did avoid cutting into practice time.

thanks - i've thought about that.

Steve,

If you're going to lift as a team before practice, you might want to consider not having your pitchers who are throwing bullpens that day participate. Lifting before generally didn't affect the quality of the practice. But from a personal standpoint (coming from a pitcher, of course), I always preferred lifting after practice on those days when I was throwing a bullpen session. Just always felt like my timing and control were a little better off the mound when I didn't lift immediately beforehand.

Do post what you decide to do. I look forward to hearing about it :-)

Best,
Steven Ellis