A strong Strength & Speed program doesn’t just exist in the weight room—it needs visibility and support from parents, school staff, and the community. If they don’t understand the value, you’ll always be defending your approach. But when you actively engage and educate them, you turn them into advocates instead of skeptics.

In this episode, we cover five key strategies to strengthen community buy-in, address concerns, and showcase the impact of Strength & Speed beyond athletics.

Main Takeaways

• Educate Parents on the ‘Why’ Behind Strength & Speed – Be proactive in explaining the benefits of training to prevent misconceptions before they start.

• Make Strength & Speed Visible in the Community – Use social media, school newsletters, and open sessions to showcase what’s happening in your program.

• Address Parent Concerns with Facts, Not Frustration – Acknowledge concerns, provide research-backed responses, and keep conversations solution-focused.

• Position Strength & Speed as a Community Investment – Strength & Speed training develops more than just athletes—it builds confident, resilient students.

• Highlight Strength & Speed as a Key Part of Student Success – When people see training as a tool for lifelong development, they’ll support it beyond sports.

Link to Full Newsletter

Strength & Speed Beyond the Weight Room: Engaging Parents & the Community

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to improve community engagement and strengthen program support.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

Your Strength & Speed program is only as strong as the support it gets from administrators. They control budgets, schedules, and resources—if they don’t see the value in what you’re doing, you’ll constantly be fighting an uphill battle. The best Strength & Speed programs don’t just succeed because of great training—they thrive because they have buy-in from leadership.

In this episode, we break down the five key strategies to effectively communicate with administrators, earn trust, and secure long-term support for your program.

Main Takeaways

• Build Relationships, Not Just Proposals – Decisions aren’t just based on logic—they’re based on trust. Invest in relationships beyond Strength & Speed.

• Speak Their Language – Connect training to school-wide goals like student success, well-being, and positive culture.

• Be Proactive, Not Just Reactive – Keep Strength & Speed on their radar by sharing success stories and checking in before problems arise.

• Make Budget Requests with a Clear ROI – Justify funding by tying requests to student benefits and school-wide improvements.

• Use Data to Strengthen Your Case – Administrators respond to numbers. Show how Strength & Speed improves participation, student development, and performance.

Link to Full Newsletter

Strength & Speed Starts at the Top: Communicating with Administrators

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to build stronger relationships with school leadership.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

Your Strength & Speed program is only as strong as the buy-in from sport coaches. Even the best-designed training plan won’t succeed if coaches don’t understand its value. In this episode, we break down the most effective ways to communicate, collaborate, and build trust with sport coaches so Strength & Speed training becomes an integrated part of their team’s success.

Main Takeaways

• Align Training with Sport Coaches’ Goals – Frame Strength & Speed training in a way that directly supports their team’s performance and success.

• Make Training Adjustments Easy – Use flexible approaches like the Stoplight System to fit training into their schedule instead of disrupting it.

• Involve Sport Coaches in the Training Process – When coaches feel like they have input, they are more likely to support and reinforce the program.

• Build Trust Through Consistent Check-Ins – Small, regular conversations go a long way in strengthening relationships.

• Be Their Go-To Resource for Athletic Development – Position yourself as someone who helps solve problems and enhances their program, not just as a coach running a weight room.

Link to Full Newsletter

Effective Communication with Sport Coaches: Building Stronger Partnerships for Athlete Success

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to strengthen their relationships with sport coaches and improve program buy-in.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

In this episode, we shift from programming and training mistakes to one of the most important—but often overlooked—aspects of coaching: effective communication. Even the best training plan falls short if you can’t connect with athletes, earn their trust, and create an environment where they want to work hard. This episode covers the most common communication mistakes coaches make—and how to fix them.

Main Takeaways

• Talking Too Much, Listening Too Little – Keep cues short and actionable. Less is more when giving feedback.

• Lack of Individualized Communication – Every athlete responds differently. Adapt your style to match their needs.

• Failing to Establish Clear Expectations – Set standards early, reinforce them daily, and lead by example.

• Giving Feedback Without a Clear Purpose – Feedback should be specific, actionable, and balanced between correction and encouragement.

• Not Creating an Environment Where Athletes Feel Valued – Build trust by recognizing effort, fostering relationships, and creating a growth-focused culture.

Link to Full Newsletter

Effective Communication with Athletes: Coaching Beyond the X’s and O’s

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to improve their communication and leadership skills.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

In this episode, we break down the myths and realities of sport-specific training. Should football players train differently than basketball players? How much sport-specific work actually helps? What’s useful, and what’s just a gimmick? We cut through the noise and focus on what truly develops better athletes.

Main Takeaways

• Over-Emphasizing Sport-Specific Lifts – Training movement patterns and athletic qualities is more effective than mimicking sport skills under load.

• Training Athletes by Sport Instead of Individual Needs – A unified approach to Strength & Speed training builds better all-around athletes, with adjustments based on experience, not just sport.

• Neglecting Sprint & Speed Development Across All Sports – Speed is a universal skill, not just for track or football players. Sprinting should be trained year-round.

• Sacrificing Athleticism for Size – Prioritizing mass-building at the expense of speed and mobility creates slow, inefficient athletes.

• Skipping General Physical Preparedness (GPP) for Young Athletes – Developing movement efficiency, durability, and foundational strength must come before advanced training.

Link to Full Newsletter

Sport-Specific Training: What Actually Works vs. What’s a Waste of Time

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to refine their Strength & Speed programming.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

In this episode, we dive into one of the most misunderstood areas in high school Strength & Speed programs: Speed Training. Too many programs either neglect speed work entirely or train it ineffectively, leaving a huge gap in athletic development. This episode covers the most common mistakes coaches make with speed training—and how to fix them.

Main Takeaways

• Not Sprinting Year-Round – Speed is a skill that needs consistent training, just like strength. Sprinting should be part of every phase.

• Using the Wrong Sprint Drills – Too much focus on technique drills, ladders, and slow-motion work instead of actual sprinting.

• Overusing Heavy Resisted Sprinting – Too much resistance alters mechanics and slows down athletes instead of making them faster.

• Not Measuring Speed & Progress – If you’re not timing sprints, you’re guessing. Regular tracking keeps athletes engaged and helps refine training.

• Confusing Agility Drills with Speed Training – Ladder drills and cone drills don’t replace sprint work. Agility and speed should be trained separately.

Link to Full Newsletter

Fixing Speed Training: Why Most Schools Get It Wrong

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to improve their speed training approach.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

In this episode, we continue our series on Common Strength & Speed Coaching Mistakes by breaking down the most common programming pitfalls coaches make when structuring their training plans. Whether it's relying too much on strength without developing speed and power, mismanaging training loads, or overcomplicating workouts, this episode will help you refine your approach and build a better system.

Main Takeaways

• Over-Reliance on Strength Without Transfer to Speed & Power – Strength alone doesn’t make an athlete better. The key is applying force quickly through explosive work and sprinting.

• Poor Load Management – Overtraining leads to burnout, undertraining leads to stagnation. Both increase injury risk.

• Narrowed Focus – Strength, speed, and power must be trained year-round, with structured progressions.

• One Framework for All Athletes – Individualized adjustments are necessary, but all athletes benefit from a unified Strength & Speed foundation.

• Overcomplicating the Training Process – Complexity doesn’t equal effectiveness. The best programs master the basics and maximize training time.

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Link to Full Newsletter

Programming Pitfalls: What’s Missing from Your Training Plan?

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches looking to refine their Strength & Speed programming.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

• Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

• Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

• Website: www.PursuitPE.com

• Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com

• Linktree: @CoachPedersen

In this episode, we kick off a new series on Common Strength & Speed Coaching Mistakes—why they happen, how they hold athletes back, and most importantly, how to fix them. Whether it’s overemphasizing strength, neglecting movement quality, or avoiding in-season training, this episode will help you identify gaps in your program and make the necessary adjustments.

Main Takeaways

• Prioritizing Strength Over Speed - Strength is important, but speed training often gets overlooked.

• Poor Exercise Selection & Progressions - Lifting heavy doesn’t always translate to better movement on the field.

• Neglecting Mobility & Movement Quality - Lifting without addressing mobility leads to inefficient movement and potential injuries.

• Training Like a Bodybuilder Instead of an Athlete - High-volume training designed for aesthetics doesn’t always serve athletic development.

• Ignoring In-Season & Game Day Training - Stopping strength work during the season leads to losses in performance and increased injury risk.

Link to Full Newsletter

• What Strength Coaches Get Wrong: Fixing the Most Common Program Mistakes

Thanks for Listening!

If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with other coaches who want to build stronger, more effective Strength & Speed programs.

Contact

Preston Pedersen, M.S.Ed., CSCS

Email: pursuitpe@gmail.com

Twitter: @CoachPedersenMV

Website: www.PursuitPE.com

Podcast: BigTimeStrength.substack.com/

Linktree: @CoachPedersen

Are you tracking the right data—or just collecting numbers? In this episode, we break down the four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that provide real, actionable insights into athlete development. Instead of drowning in stats, learn how to focus on what actually drives progress.

Main Takeaways

• Why KPIs Matter – How tracking the right metrics leads to better coaching decisions and steady athletic progress.

• The 4 Must-Track KPIs – Attendance & engagement, relative strength, speed, and power—and why each one is critical.

• How to Track Without Overcomplicating It – Simple systems using Google Sheets, spaced-out testing, and visibility tactics to keep athletes engaged.

• Bonus Considerations – Two additional KPIs that could level up your program (work capacity & readiness tracking).

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Link to Full Newsletter

• Tracking What Matters: Key Performance Indicators in Strength & Speed

Thanks for Listening#8

Thanks for tuning in—let’s keep building stronger students, programs, and futures!

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this episode, we break down how pen & paper training systems can work seamlessly with light digital tracking to enhance Strength & Speed programs—without requiring iPads at every rack or costly subscriptions. Whether you're tracking attendance, test metrics, or athlete progress, this episode will help you find a balanced system that fits your program.

Main Takeaways

1. The Case for a Digital “Home Base”

   • Paper = great for daily use, but you need a long-term data solution for tracking progress.

   • Action Step: Use a simple Google Sheet to log key stats weekly or monthly.

2. Attendance Tracking Made Easy

   • A Google Form helps you see trends & spot inconsistencies with zero extra admin time.

3. Performance Dashboards & KPI Monitoring

   • Logging test metrics (e.g., speed, jump, lifts) connects training to real-world performance.

4. Handling Multi-Sport Athletes

   • One unified data system captures progress across all sports & seasons.

   • Long-Term Bonus: This helps reduce injury risks & guide training adjustments.

5. How to Start Without Overcomplicating It

   • Pilot with one class—see what’s manageable before expanding.

   • Keep Costs Minimal—Google Sheets is free, or invest in a one-time-cost system with support.

   • Refine Over Time—If tracking is slowing you down, simplify the inputs.

Link to Full Newsletter

• Bridging Pen & Paper with Digital: A Practical Blend for Easy Data Insights

Thanks for Listening

What tracking method works best for you—all paper, all digital, or a hybrid? Reply & let me know! Let’s keep pursuing excellence together!

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this episode, we go beyond basic accountability and dig into 8 proven strategies for keeping students engaged, motivated, and committed all semester. From goal-setting and attendance incentives to fun days and reflection exercises, you’ll walk away with practical tools to make Strength & Speed training something students look forward to—not just another class.

Main Takeaways

1. Start with Clear, Achievable Goals

   • Short-term wins (weekly progress) build momentum.

   • Action Step: Have students set personal records AND group targets.

2. Emphasize “Best Version of You”

   • Avoid peer comparisons—focus on personal growth instead.

   • Action Step: Use progress boards or PR bells to highlight individual success.

3. Use Training Cards as Motivation

   • Color-coding PRs, adding quick coach’s notes, or tracking milestones keeps students engaged.

4. Pair Students for Accountability

   • “Lift Buddies” help with form checks & tracking while keeping energy up.

5. Attendance Tracking & Recognition

   • Simple sign-ins & shout-outs (like a “100 Club” for 100 sessions completed) drive consistency.

6. Use Quick Quizzes or Surveys

   • 1-minute “exit tickets” or form check quizzes keep mental engagement high.

7. Break the Routine with Fun Days

   • Small competitions, “Mobility March” weeks, or “Technique Tuesday” themes add variety.

8. Show the Big Picture

   • A whiteboard schedule or end-of-phase reflection helps students see progress over time.

Link to Full Newsletter

• Motivation & Consistency: Building Momentum in Your Strength & Speed Program

Pursuit PE Consulting

Need a custom plan for Strength & Speed at your school? I offer limited consulting for high school PE coaches. Reply to learn more.

Thanks for Listening

Let’s keep pursuing excellence together!

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this fifth voiceover episode—Part 1 of our “Workout Delivery & Progress Tracking” series—I reveal why a pen-and-paper training card system can be a game-changer. No app glitches, zero subscription fees, and a tangible blueprint that keeps students consistently improving year-round.

Main Takeaways

1. No Recurring Cost: Paper cards avoid subscription or software fees. Freed-up budget can go toward equipment or other priorities.

2. No Tech Glitches: No wifi dropouts or dead batteries. You focus on coaching, not troubleshooting.

3. What You Measure Matters: Everything—sets, reps, jumps—goes on one sheet, making progress more tangible.

4. Individualization: Simply write adjustments (“Focus on deeper squat” or “Watch knee tracking”) so students know exactly what to tweak next session.

5. PRE Made Simple: Mark sets as “easy,” “moderate,” or “hard,” guiding load changes week to week.

6. Track Speed & Jumps: Not just lifts—record 10-yard dash times or vertical jumps for a broader athletic picture.

7. Instant Notes & Resilience Work: Jot down cues like “Elbows high” or “Foam roll hamstrings” right there, no extra steps.

8. Pride & Ownership: Each card becomes a personal blueprint—physically writing goals and achievements fuels motivation.

9. See Improvement Over Time: After a month or a year, students can literally see how far they’ve come.

10. They Keep It for Life: Unlike software accounts that vanish post-graduation, the training card remains a lasting record of their achievements.

Links

• Free Training Card Template: Make a copy in Google Sheets and adapt it to your program.

• Link to Full Newsletter

  • The Power of the Training Card: Your Blueprint for Year-Round Growth

Wrap-Up & What’s Next

If you’re curious about bridging pen & paper with light digital tracking, stay tuned—we’ll explore it in an upcoming episode, along with fresh strategies to keep your students consistently engaged.

Thanks for Listening Let’s keep pursuing our best!

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this fourth voiceover episode (and our first paid edition), we dive into why in-season training matters so much—because skipping lifts during the competitive season could cost an athlete a full year of development over high school. We tackle game-day lifting, multi-sport scheduling, and a color-coded approach to keeping kids fresh yet progressing year-round.

Main Takeaways

1. In-Season: It’s More Than Sport-Specific

• Key Fix: Short, 25–30 minute sessions (2–4 per week), adjusting volume with a “stoplight” system (Green/Yellow/Red) that I learned from Cody Hughes to prevent overloading on competition weeks.

2. Game Day Training

• Key Fix: Low-volume, moderate-to-high load lifts can “prime” muscles and boost mindset. Keep it brief (15–30 mins), focusing on explosive work.

• Mindset: If an athlete believes they feel sharper, they usually are.

3. Multi-Sport Athletes

• Key Fix: Make in-school sessions the main “home base” for lifts. Before/after-school workouts become extras or skill-specific, reducing injuries and overtraining.

Link to Full Newsletter

• In-Season Training: The Missing Piece of Year-Round Success

What’s Next?

Thanks for tuning in to this first paid edition of Pursuit PE! In our next newsletter, we’ll explore Workout Delivery & Progress Tracking—how to measure gains efficiently without overwhelming your schedule.

Questions? Reply here—happy to help you adapt in-season lifts, game-day protocols, or multi-sport schedules.

Thanks for Listening

Let’s keep pursuing excellence together!

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this third voiceover episode, we dig into the major scheduling and programming headaches that often derail Strength & Speed plans in busy schools—from cramped facilities and multi-sport conflicts to random half-days and last-minute schedule changes. You’ll hear practical fixes and mindset shifts to keep your classes on track, no matter how wild your calendar gets.

Main Takeaways

1. Cramped Facilities

   • Key Fix: Station-based rotations or “rack station” setups to reduce crowding and minimize movement.

2. Balancing Multi-Sport Athletes

   • Key Fix: Treat the in-school session as their main lift time; use after-school workouts as extras or skill-specific.

3. Scheduling & Time Constraints

   • Key Fix: Break training into “micro-sessions” and map out a weekly overview to stay flexible on half-days or assembly schedules.

4. Quick Bonus: Data Tracking

   • Key Fix: Use simple daily/weekly readiness surveys. Pivot to mobility or lighter technique if fatigue levels are high.

Links & References

• Weekly Class Schedule Template: A grid-based planner to map out lessons by the minute. Link here.

• Big Time Strength Podcast #168 - Amber Burson

What’s Next?

If you found these tips helpful, let me know—or share them with a colleague who’s also wrangling crowded weight rooms or multi-sport schedules. Next time, we’ll tackle “Overcoming Scheduling Roadblocks”—ranging from facility constraints to multi-sport load management.

Thanks for Listening

Thanks for tuning in to this voiceover newsletter! Let’s keep pursuing excellence one class, one session, one schedule tweak at a time.

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this second voiceover episode, we dive deeper into how to put your year-round Strength & Speed ideas into action. We recap the five essentials of a successful program—from administrative buy-in to creating a unified vision with sport coaches—and add real-world tips on integrating everything into the school day. Whether you’re a PE teacher or a multi-sport coach, this episode will give you practical steps for embedding Strength & Speed training in a busy school setting.

Main Takeaways

1. Administrative Buy-In is Non-Negotiable

   • Show your principal or AD the benefits—improved health, academic focus, and athletic performance.

   • Action Step: Invite them to watch a short Strength & Speed session. Once they see the impact firsthand, they’ll more likely champion the program.

2. Making It Part of the School Day

   • The biggest game-changer is embedding Strength & Speed into a daily PE class.

   • Saves coaches from sacrificing practice time, and saves kids from 5 a.m. lifts.

   • Action Step: Start small—two days a week, or every other day—and gradually scale up.

3. Unified Vision with Sport Coaches

   • Regular communication (weekly or monthly) keeps Strength & Speed goals aligned with in-season or off-season demands.

   • Pro Tip: Show coaches how you track progress for tangible proof of athlete development.

4. Looking Ahead

   • Future newsletters will tackle building a year-round schedule and creating a Strength & Speed culture.

   • Next week, we’ll explore Overcoming Scheduling Roadblocks in your weight room.

Links & References

• Free Guide: Top 5 Tips for Strength & Speed Success

• Recommended Article: Why Strength & Speed During the School Day?

Action Steps

1. Grab the Free Guide: If you haven’t checked out the “Top 5 Tips” PDF, now’s the time.

2. Bring It to Your School: Forward this episode to a colleague or invite your admin to watch a short training session.

3. Reply with Your Biggest Challenge: It helps tailor future newsletters to exactly what you need.

Wrap-Up

If you found value here, let me know—or tag someone who could use a blueprint for year-round Strength & Speed. Next time, we’ll discuss “Overcoming Common Scheduling Roadblocks”—from cramped weight room facilities to balancing multi-sport athletes. Stay tuned!

Thanks for Listening

Appreciate you tuning in to this second voiceover newsletter. Let’s keep pursuing excellence together—one student, one lift, one sprint at a time!

– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️

In this first voiceover episode, I introduce what Pursuit PE is all about—why I’m here, what you can expect in future installments, and how this newsletter-turned-podcast aims to help PE teachers and coaches build stronger, faster, and more confident students.

Main Takeaways

1. Meet Preston: Learn about my years of experience in high school PE and Strength & Speed coaching.

2. Why Pursuit PE: Understand the core mission—merging simple, effective methods with real-world insights so you can deliver engaging PE classes.

3. Who It’s For: Whether you’re a PE teacher, multi-sport coach, or just want to elevate student performance, this podcast is for you.

Links & References

• Original Newsletter Post: “Welcome to Pursuit PE”

• Subscribe: If you haven’t already, join the mailing list to get new episodes and articles directly in your inbox.

Action Steps

1. Introduce Yourself: If you’re a coach or teacher, reply or comment to share your background and what you’re looking to improve in your PE program.

2. Spread the Word: Forward this episode to a colleague who might find Pursuit PE useful—building a community helps us all learn faster.

Join the Conversation

Leave a comment on Substack or message me directly to share your thoughts on this inaugural episode.

Thanks!

Thanks for listening to “Welcome to Pursuit PE.” I’m excited to share all the tips, insights, and real-world examples I’ve gathered from years in high school PE. Stay tuned for more episodes on scheduling tactics, data tracking, motivation hacks, and everything else that helps you build stronger, faster, and more confident students!