APRE Resources: What’s Shaped Our Approach & What to Read Next
#24 - Strength & Speed Coaching – Pursuing Your Best ⚡
In the last three newsletters, we’ve covered a lot:
But where should I start if I want to really understand APRE?
That’s what this issue is about.
Below is a curated list of the most helpful resources I’ve come across—ones that shaped how I teach, coach, and apply APRE in our setting. Some are research-based. Others are highly practical. All of them helped move my thinking forward.
For those that are paid subscribers, I also have included a video that breaks down how we teach APRE to our student-athletes that are in our Strength & Speed classes.
Let’s dive in.
1. Bryan Mann’s Work on APRE:
This is the cornerstone. Bryan Mann’s writing, research, and videos are what brought APRE to the forefront of modern coaching. His breakdown of the 3/6/10 protocols gives coaches a simple but powerful framework for autoregulation.
Why It’s Worth Reading:
It outlines the science and the application—rare in a world that usually leans too far one way.
What I Took From It:
Load adjustment should come from what the athlete shows you that day, not from a number they hit six weeks ago. Mann’s approach gave me language and structure for what I intuitively knew needed to change in our program.
2. Mel Siff’s Supertraining
Yes, that Supertraining. If you dig into the middle chapters, you’ll find a brief but meaningful section on DAPRE (Daily Adjustable Progressive Resistance Exercise)—the protocol that evolved into APRE. Siff explains how early rehab-focused systems used performance-based adjustments instead of rigid planning.
Why It’s Worth Reading:
It helps you understand the lineage and science of autoregulation, long before VBT or APRE became trendy. Also, Supertraining is just an awesome resource!
What I Took From It:
That autoregulation isn’t new—and that our job as coaches is to blend historical insight with modern practicality.
3. Mark Watts’ Articles & Videos
Mark Watts was one of the first people I saw take APRE and make modifications especially for a high school or a team setting. His articles and videos on EliteFTS are gold for anyone managing a group of 30+ athletes in one weight room.
Why It’s Worth Reading:
It’s about execution. Not theory. He shows you how to run APRE with real athletes and real time constraints.
What I Took From It:
Ideas for using whiteboards, tracking sheets, and cueing systems that put athletes in control—without letting them guess.
4. TeamBuildr: APRE & High School Athletes
This article breaks down how Gary Schofield and others adapted APRE protocols to better serve high school athletes. Specifically, Coach Schofield moved away from APRE3, APRE6, and APRE10 in favor of rep schemes like 4, 6, and 8—something we’ve done as well (with a couple of other variations).
Why It’s Worth Reading:
It’s one of the few resources that directly addresses APRE in the school setting.
What I Took From It:
Validation. We weren’t the only ones modifying APRE—and there are many right ways to do it.
5. Simplifaster: Managing APRE in Large Groups
This article explores the logistics of running APRE with large groups of athletes while maintaining movement quality and tracking progress.
Why It’s Worth Reading:
If you’re in a school setting with limited space and time, this helps you think through the structure.
What I Took From It:
Ideas for progressing athletes by readiness and logistics—rotating groups through with consistent touch points.
6. Zach Dechant’s Take on APRE
Zach gives a good breakdown of the pros and cons of APRE and where it fits in the broader picture of athletic development.
Why It’s Worth Reading:
It’s always smart to look at things with a critical lens—APRE isn’t perfect for every situation.
What I Took From It:
Balance. Use APRE where it makes sense, and be okay using other tools when the context calls for it.
7. Conversations, Clinics, & Colleagues
Not everything I’ve learned came from an article or book.
Coaching clinics (like the NHSSCA, Nebraska Strength Organization, and Iowa Strength Coach clinics)
Roundtables & Podcasts with other PE teachers and strength coaches
Back-and-forth conversations with mentors and peers
These gave me the confidence to tinker, adapt, and trust what I was seeing in our own room.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Copy—Contextualize
APRE isn’t a “plug-and-play” system. It’s a principle.
The best version is the one that fits your room, your athletes, and your coaching style.
So use these resources not just to copy someone else’s version of APRE—but to build your own.
What’s Next?
Let me know what you’d like me to write about next! I’ll keep growing my list.
—
Also, let me know if you’d like help building your own system—or if you want access to the exact templates and tracking sheets we use.
—
Just email or message me.
Until next time—keep pursuing excellence!
— Preston ⚡️
🚨Unlock Exclusive APRE Resources
Behind this paywall are the APRE resources I use daily—charts, tracking sheets, an APRE resources 1-pager, and a video explaining how we teach APRE to our athletes. If you want a deeper dive into how we track, adjust, and progress APRE in real-time, these resources will help you apply it immediately.
Not a paid subscriber yet? Upgrade to unlock the full breakdown and exclusive resources!
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Pursuit PE to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.