8 Must Read S&C Articles

These are the most important fundamental studies every S&C coach needs to read if they're truly serious about their career and development.

Will Saville

By Will Saville
Last updated: March 17th, 2025
2 min read

Coaches who haven’t read these yet are seriously missing out!

Here we have compiled a list of eight studies we believe every strength and conditioning coach should read, and more importantly, understand (in no particular order).

#1 Strength Training

The Importance of Muscular Strength in Athletic Performance. Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., & Stone, M. H. (2016). Sports Medicine, 46(10), 1419–1449.

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#2 Monitoring Training-Load

Training Monitoring for Resistance Exercise: Theory and Applications. Scott, B. R., Duthie, G. M., Thornton, H. R., & Dascombe, B. J. (2016).  Sports Medicine, 46(5), 687–698.

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#3 Agility & Change of Direction Speed

Agility and Change-of-Direction Speed are Independent Skills: Implications for Training for Agility in Invasion Sports. Young, W. B., Dawson, B., & Henry, G. J. (2015). International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 10(1), 159–169.

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#4 Youth S&C

National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Long-Term Athletic Development. Lloyd, R. S., Cronin, J. B., Faigenbaum, A. D., Haff, G. G., Howard, R., Kraemer, W. J., … Oliver, J. L. (2016). Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(6), 1491–1509.

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#5 Needs Analysis (A system-based approach)

Performance Modeling. Read, P. J., Bishop, C., Brazier, J., & Turner, A. N. (2016). Strength and Conditioning Journal, 38(4), 90–97.

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#6 Plyometric Training

The Stretch-Shortening Cycle: Proposed Mechanisms and Methods for Enhancement. Turner, A. N., & Jeffreys, I. (2010). Strength and Conditioning Journal, 32(4), 87–99.

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#7 Sprinting

Effects of Running Velocity on Running Kinetics and Kinematics. Brughelli, M., Cronin, J., & Chaouachi, A. (2011). Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(4), 933–939.

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#8 Periodisation

The Science and Practice of Periodization: A Brief Review. Turner, Anthony MSc, CSCS Strength and Conditioning Journal: February 2011 – Volume 33 – Issue 1 – p 34-46
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Will Saville

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