Start Here: How to Build a Strength & Speed Program That Actually Works in the School Day
Strength & Speed Coaching - Pursuing Your Best ⚡️
If you’re a PE teacher, Strength & Speed coach, or athletic administrator trying to build a better program inside the school day, you’re in the right place.
Pursuit PE exists for one reason:
To help schools build Strength & Speed programs that are sustainable, effective, and realistic.
Not private facilities.
Not college weight rooms.
Not perfect conditions.
Real schools.
Bell schedules.
Classes of 15–45.
Shared spaces.
Limited time.
Multiple sports.
Wide-ranging training ages.
That’s the environment this newsletter is built for.
Why Pursuit PE Exists
Most Strength & Conditioning content assumes one of two things:
You’re training small groups in a private setting
You control the schedule, space, and staffing (college & pro)
School-based programs don’t work like that.
Inside schools, the biggest challenges usually aren’t:
Exercise selection
Writing programs
Access to equipment
They’re:
Consistency
Clarity
Systems
Buy-in
Transfer
Pursuit PE exists to solve those problems — not just add more information.
👉 Start here:
[Year-Round Strength & Speed]
(Why consistency matters more than seasonal “on/off” training)
What You’ll Find Here
Every article and resource in Pursuit PE is built around one core question:
Does this actually work with students, in groups, during the school day?
Here’s how that shows up.
1. Programming That Scales
This isn’t about finding the “best” exercises.
It’s about building exercise menus, weekly structures, and progressions that:
Work across multiple training ages
Move large groups efficiently
Reduce chaos and decision fatigue
Support long-term development
If a movement slows the room down or creates confusion, it doesn’t belong.
→ Read next:
Programming Pitfalls: What’s Missing from Your Training Plan?
2. Systems Over Exercises
Exercises matter — but systems last.
You’ll see a strong emphasis on:
Exercise menus
Weekly templates
Seasonal planning
Training cards
Simple, repeatable progressions
Programs built on systems don’t fall apart when:
Enrollment changes
Schedules shift
Staff turns over
→ Go deeper:
The Power of the Training Card: Your Blueprint for Year-Round Growth
3. APRE, Autoregulation, and Athlete Ownership
Pursuit PE includes a deep dive into APRE and autoregulation, adapted specifically for:
High school athletes
Group-based classes
Teaching kids how to train — not just what to do
The goal isn’t just stronger athletes.
It’s athletes who understand:
Effort
Intent
Accountability
→ Start here:
From Coach-Controlled to Athlete-Driven: Why APRE Changes the Game→ Then read:
How We’ve Modified APRE for Our Strength & Speed Program: A Smarter Approach for High School Athletes
4. Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD)
Short-term results are easy.
Sustainable development takes intention.
Pursuit PE emphasizes:
Movement quality before load
Speed and power before volume
Progression over early specialization
Middle school to varsity matters — and programming should reflect that.
→ Foundational read:
Developing Athletes for the Long Run: A Long-Term Approach to Strength & Speed
5. Buy-In, Culture, and Communication
Strength & Speed doesn’t live in isolation.
Programs grow when:
Sport coaches understand the plan
Administrators understand the value
Parents understand the purpose
You’ll find practical guidance on:
Communicating with coaches
Aligning with administrators
Educating parents
Building culture that outlasts one season
→ Recommended:
• Strength & Speed Starts at the Top: Communicating with Administrators
• Strength & Speed Beyond the Weight Room: Engaging Parents & the Community
6. Data That Supports the Mission
Tracking matters — when it’s done well.
Pursuit PE focuses on:
KPIs that actually transfer
Simple scoring systems
Making progress visible to students
Using data to motivate, not overwhelm
No dashboards for the sake of dashboards.
→ Read this:
Tracking What Matters: Key Performance Indicators in Strength & Speed
Who This Newsletter Is For
Pursuit PE is for:
PE teachers running Strength & Speed classes
School-based strength coaches
Coaches navigating shared spaces and schedules
Administrators building sustainable systems
Educators who believe PE is more than just a class
If you’re trying to do this work well — not just do more — you’ll feel at home here.
How to Get the Most Value from Pursuit PE
Free subscribers receive weekly articles focused on principles, clarity, and systems.
Paid subscribers unlock:
Deep-dive breakdowns
Downloadable templates and guides
Practical tools you can use immediately
Resource libraries built for real schools
If you want fewer guesses and more direction, the paid tier is built for you.
Final Thought
You don’t need more exercises.
You don’t need more complexity.
You don’t need the next big thing.
You need systems that:
Fit your environment
Respect your constraints
Serve students well over time
That’s what Pursuit PE is about.
If you’re here to build stronger students, better programs, and sustainable systems — welcome. We can’t wait to help you Pursue Your Best.
—
Preston Pedersen, M.Ed., CSCS
Strength & Speed Coach • Pursuit PE ⚡️