Sportstars
I have been an endurance athlete for most of my life — a swimmer for over 20 years, and approaching 10 years as a triathlete. In the past 20 years, I’ve also taught and coached thousands of athletes of all levels and ages. From both sides of the water,... Read more
Why do coaches yell at refs? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one change a call. A.B., Galt   Why did the chicken cross the road? Why do fools fall in love? Add to that list of eternal questions the one you posed: Why do coaches yell at refs?... Read more
I have been doing quite a bit of off-site team training lately and spending a lot of time teaching the basic skills of linear/lateral acceleration techniques and concepts. This is where I always start with new athletes as many have never been taught how to properly prepare and execute... Read more
As the high school sports season gets back into full-swing, I see an influx of young athletes who suffer injuries to their knees. Unfortunately, many of these athletes will have suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and require surgery. Many athletes wonder, “Why did this happen to me?”  ... Read more
Brennah Gladwill Oakmont-Roseville – Volleyball
The setter led the Vikings to sweeps of Capital Valley League foes Del Campo, Bella Vista, and Rio Linda to improve Oakmont’s record to 25-2, including a 4-0 mark in league play. The captain has been key in helping the team to a somewhat surprising vault to the top... Read more
Paige Reed St. Patrick/St. Vincent-Vallejo – Volleyball
Overcoming demons early in the year is good mojo for a team looking to make a deep postseason run. After its season was ended by Marin Catholic-Kentfield each of the last two years, the St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo girls volleyball team got a little payback on the Wildcats with a... Read more
Elk Grove High football’s ground and pound style is as vintage as the school itself — and it’s working to perfection. Read more
So, the weather has begun to change, you’ve cleaned and put away the bike, and your wet suit is in the closet. Maybe you’ve raced three or fives races this season; maybe just one. But you’re physically and mentally tired. You don’t want to even look at most of... Read more
Our cross country team is great but the only sport anyone seems to care about in the fall is football. Why is that? It’s just not fair.  J.M., Moraga   As my particularly annoying history teacher back at Acalanes used to point out with depressing regularity, life isn’t fair.... Read more
Have you ever gotten into a car to go somewhere, realized you have no idea whatsoever how to get there, then started the car and drove off hoping to get there? I would think not.  I ask this only because people start training every day expecting to get results,... Read more
By far the number one question I get from athletes and parents is, “What do I eat on game day?”  They basically want to know how they can fuel themselves or their athletes for optimal performance on the day or weekend when they are going to compete.  The fact... Read more