APRE Best Practices: Mistakes to Avoid & Keys to Success
#23 - Strength & Speed Coaching – Pursuing Your Best ⚡
In the last issue, we broke down how we modified APRE to fit high school Strength & Speed. If you missed it, I highly recommend going back and reading it—especially if you’re considering using APRE in your own program.
Today, we’re diving into the biggest mistakes coaches make when implementing APRE—and how to avoid them.
Because even a great system can be undermined by poor execution.
Common mistakes:
Misunderstand how the Money Set works
Rushed load progressions before technical execution was solid
Overloaded in-season athletes without adjustments
Ignored athlete feedback and readiness indicators
But when APRE is done right?
Athletes train at the right intensity every session
They self-regulate without overtraining or undertraining
Progress is faster, more consistent, and safer
Let’s make sure you’re setting APRE up for success in your program.
Mistake #1: Misunderstanding the Money Set
The Fix: Maximal Performance, Not Failure
One of the biggest misconceptions about APRE is that it requires athletes to train to failure.
That’s not the case.
The Money Set—the 4th set where athletes determine their volume for the rest of the session—is about maximal performance, not failure.
Here’s what I mean:
Maximal performance = Pushing for the best possible reps with technical proficiency.
Failure = Grinding out reps at all costs, even if movement quality breaks down.
Athletes shouldn’t be missing reps, failing lifts, or sacrificing mechanics just to hit a number. Instead, they should aim for high-quality top-end effort, adjusting their weight based on how well they execute.
What to do instead:
Teach athletes to leave 1 quality rep in the tank instead of going to complete failure.
Emphasize movement standards—if form breaks down, the set is over.
Adjust weight based on clean reps, not just grinding through for a number.
We now use VBT with our juniors & seniors to help with this.
The goal is to push athletes without compromising execution—that’s what drives long-term progress.
Mistake #2: Skipping Progressions & Rushing to Low Reps
The Fix: Work Through the Full APRE System
Some coaches jump straight to APRE3 because they want athletes to build max strength.
But if an athlete hasn’t built a solid base through APRE10, APRE8, and APRE6, they aren’t ready for heavy, low-rep work.
This is especially true for younger or less experienced athletes who still need time to:
Refine technique
Build capacity
Learn how to regulate intensity
What to do instead:
Freshmen & sophomores should start with higher rep APRE cycles (APRE10 → APRE8 → APRE6 → APRE4) before progressing to heavier loads.
Upperclassmen and stronger athletes can work in APRE6, APRE5, and eventually APRE4 and APRE3 for max strength and power.
Use time-based progression (e.g., move down every 4-6 weeks) instead of rushing to heavier weights.
The right rep scheme at the right time builds long-term strength without breaking athletes down prematurely.
Mistake #3: Not Teaching Athletes How to Self-Regulate
The Fix: Give Athletes Ownership (With Guardrails)
One of the best things about APRE is that it teaches athletes to adjust training based on how they feel. But they need guidance.
If you just tell them to "adjust weight based on performance" without structure, they’ll either:
Undershoot—keeping weights too light and never challenging themselves.
Overshoot—making aggressive jumps and sacrificing movement quality.
What to do instead:
Teach decision-making rules:
Exceed target reps? Add weight next session.
Hit target reps? Stay at the same weight.
Miss target reps? Reduce weight or adjust volume.
Use tracking sheets or a whiteboard so athletes see patterns in their progress.
Set progression ranges (e.g., add 5-10 lbs instead of guessing).
When athletes learn how to adjust intelligently, they develop training awareness that carries over to everything they do.
The Key to Making APRE Work: Structured Flexibility
APRE isn’t about rigid programming or wild, uncontrolled adjustments. It’s about giving athletes structured flexibility—balancing progress with self-regulation.
When done correctly, it:
Encourages consistent strength gains without unnecessary stalls.
Keeps movement quality intact while still allowing athletes to push themselves.
Teaches athletes how to train smarter instead of just following numbers.
And most importantly, it works within the realities of a high school Strength & Speed program—where time is short, classes are big, and athletes have different levels of experience.
How to Apply This in Your Program
If you’re looking to clean up APRE implementation, start with these adjustments:
Clarify the Money Set—Focus on maximal performance, not failure.
Follow a Logical Progression—Work through the full APRE system before dropping to low reps.
Teach Athletes How to Self-Regulate—Use clear rules for adjusting weights.
If you make these simple tweaks, you’ll see better execution, smoother progress, and stronger athletes over time.
What’s Next? APRE Resources – What’s Shaped Our Approach & What to Read Next
We’ve covered how APRE works and how to implement it effectively, but where do you go if you want to go deeper?
Next up, I’ll share the key resources that have shaped the way I coach APRE along with a short summary of each.
Want Hands-On Help? Let’s Talk.
I offer consulting for PE teachers and Strength & Speed coaches looking to refine their training systems.
If you need help with:
Structuring APRE for your specific setting,
Refining your autoregulation system, or
Balancing progression with injury prevention…
…I can help you build a system that works for your athletes.
Interested? Hit reply or DM me and let’s talk.
Until next time—keep pursuing excellence!
— Preston ⚡️