Character & Leadership.

Lifelong Lessons

Join BFS President and CEO John Rowbotham as he appears on the BCPS health & physical education podcast. 

Justin O'Brien, BCPS Supervisor Physical Education, hosts this wide-ranging interview which covers many aspects of the BFS Total Program. From safety first and respect for budget constraints, to commitment to physical development as a lifelong tool and skill for all growing bodies and NOT just for athletes.

Fundamental Strength Training - The Bar

After 45 years in the business, we know what to look for. We’ll start by helping you identify your specific needs. Then we’ll show you how to decide on a bar that has the proper combination of price, strength and function. Beware of False Advertising Tom Lincir, president of Ivanko Barbell Company, warns, “Some manufacturers throw around impressive-sounding measurements of a bar’s strength that are either irrelevant or misleading. Ratings like “1,000-pound test” or “2,000-pound test” may sound impressive because the numbers are big. However, there is no such thing as “1,000-pound test”-it is all a fantasy created in an attempt to satisfy buyers.

Jersey Shore: From 0-10 to District Champions

Jersey Shore High is a Class AAA school in North Central Pennsylvania. In 2012 the team was 0-10, and the season could not have been considered a rebuilding year, as the Bulldogs had only won a total of five games in the past five years and had not won a district title since 1997. However, Gravish believed his team had a shot at the district title because his team had many athletes returning from the previous team, possessed a good worth ethic, and were motivated by the fact that no one. except for the Bulldog coaching staff. Coach Gravish, says that one aspect of the BFS program that he particularly likes is that it instills accountability among the players and helps them set performance goals every time they step foot in the weightroom. Jackson especially likes the BFS focus on striving to set personal records with every workout, as well as the fact that BFS is not a “football specific” workout but one that works for all types of athletes.

CJ Cummings: Making America Strong Again!

The United States has not had an Olympic champion in men’s weightlifting since 1960, when Charles Vinci won gold in the 123-pound bodyweight class. In Toyoko, our medal drought may end when Clarence “CJ” Cummings steps on the platform. Going into the Olympics, CJ Cummings is currently ranked fifth in the world, only 8 pounds off of the #2 ranking. On July 29th, CJ will be showing America’s best at the Tokyo International Forum – be sure to tune in!

From Ohio to Arizona: A BFS Success Story

As the Centennial Coyotes football team celebrated its 5th state championship in November 2015, many people could not remember a time that Centennial was not a football powerhouse. Centennial, led by Coach Richard Taylor, had just competed in its 8th state championship game since 2005. However, this run of success seemed like a dream in the early years of the program.

It Takes a Team!

A BFS weight room installation at Mountain Ridge High School is an opportunity for the school to come together and get invested in their own success. With sports teams and PE classes assisting the BFS installation crew the whole process was a fun time and great for team building. BFS has the equipment and the consulting experience to do the same for your school. Let our 40 plus years of working closely with high schools assist you in developing your dream weight room and training facility. From concept to completion - design to execution - BFS has the answers. 1-800-628-9737

A Common Thread in Wisconsin’s Middle Border Conference

Seven of the past eight years a Middle Border Conference School has played for the Division IV State Championship. Not a bad track record, but why are these schools so successful? One consideration is the style of offense. All of these offenses are run orientated with limited passing. The defenses are premised on stopping the run first and many athletes play both ways. With that said the other common denominator is, they all use is the Bigger Faster Stronger Total Program.

Experience and Execution at Mountain Ridge High School

A BFS weight room installation at Mountain Ridge High School is an opportunity for the school to come together and get invested in their own success. With sports teams and PE classes assisting the BFS installation crew the whole process was a fun time and great for team building.

Playing Up!

“We may not be able to pick the best athletes to come into our athletic program, but weight training is one of the things we have power over and we maximize that. We also come for the perspective that if you work hard you’re not only helping your team but helping your teammates. We want to give a positive experience and we want to produce quality members of society when they get out of Athens High School.”

Board Spotlight: Anne Shadle Goes the Distance

It was while attending South Sioux City High School in South Sioux City, Nebraska, that Shadle learned about the BFS Total Program. “A BFS clinician came to our school, set up our weight room, and taught our coaching staff how to implement the program,” says Shadle. “I liked the BFS program and thought it helped me stay healthy and set up a strong structural foundation for my future athletic career. Distance runners often have reservations about lifting weights, but this wasn’t the case with Shadle’s high school coaches. “The message I got from my coaches was that performance is all about the strength-to-weight ratio. It was important to be structurally strong and fast.” She says that not only did the BFS program fulfill her goals of being a faster and stronger runner, but also helped keep her injury-free. “Strength training for a distance runner is much more than just strengthening bones,” says Shadle.

Stay the Course with BFS

In college sometimes the stars align over a team of gifted athletes who demonstrate that “talent prevails”. At the high school level the playing field is more even, as schools are categorized according to the size of the student body. Another major difference is that most athletes at the high school level are multisport athletes – with the result that the strength and conditioning programs used at the college level (which are characterized by long off-seasons) are not practical in grades 9-12. Further, training methods that are appropriate at the high school level may not be appropriate at the middle school or even elementary school level. BFS understands these differences...

BFS Impacts Generations at Southwest Middle School

Southwest Middle School in Searcy, Arkansas was named "Best of the Best" for 2018 by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and looks to raise their goals even higher in 2019. Principal Carrie Parsley has welcomed teachers and staff back to school with a message from BFS that inspires everyone, from students to educators, to be the best they can be!

District Wide Commitment

In this video LT Erickson Ph.D., Twin Falls School District, Secondary Programs Director explains how incorporating the BFS Total Program and Weight Room Safety Certification give the students in his district the best opportunity to reach their full potential.

Team Goals and the BFS Total Program

The BFS Total Program is a time tested program for schools and students of all ages. With this program, incremental gains are set out in a self-driven system of keeping and breaking records.

Culture Shock!

When Coach Jessen at Piute High School was looking to change the culture of his school's athletics he did what many coaches and athletic directors do. He looked at upgrading his facility. But equipment is just a great FIRST step. Really changing the attitude of teams also takes a Total Program that gets all students and athletes involved and excited about physical development and physic

WIN AS ONE! Newcomb High School Skyhawks

The Skyhawks are SoaringNewcomb High School in New Mexico is part of the Central Consolidated School district in the four corners region of New Mexico. Through the district’s commitment to improving facilities for students and athletes, all three high schools and three middle schools were introduced to the BFS Total Program and equipped with new, highly functional weight rooms. Newcomb High School is the smallest high school in the district but the Skyhawks are proving to have unrivaled heart and character.

Steps to Success at Siloam Springs High

There are four assumptions you can make about athletes at Siloam Springs High School: 1) You are attending an outstanding academic institution, 2) Your coaches are dedicated to helping you fulfill your athletic potential, and 3) You are participating in a strength and conditioning program designed to work all aspects of athletic fitness, and 4) You are used to winning. Siloam Springs High School athletes fulfill the definition of student-athlete. They excel in sports and in the classroom, and their example makes us feel good about our future.

How NFL High School Coach-of-the-Year Bruce Larson developed a winning tradition

I don’t believe that I’ll ever forget my first conversation with Somerset’s Head Football Coach Bruce Larson back in 2002. Coach Larson’s message to me was clear and precise; Somerset High School was mired in mediocrity. Despite his efforts to change things, the community was OK with the status quo and the school wasn’t willing to make a large investment in a radical change. Larson convinced me that the plan I laid out for his school would be followed and he was willing to put himself on the line to get it done. His sincerity and willingness to learn the BFS System convinced me to work out a spring clinic...

Jim Brown - BFS Legend

Coach Jim Brown is a man on a mission. He is working tirelessly to help as many kids, students, and athletes as he can. His impact has stretched across 40 years. Since he first began implementing the BFS Total Program to his students in 1978 Coach Brown has recognized the value of a clear and consistent program that all students and athletes can run. Either for sports or physical education classes.

Leadership and Life

At BFS we are committed to helping coaches reach their full potential. We are pleased to bring you this powerful multi-part interview with D1 head coach Brian Holman.

The Winning Room

Bangor High School wanted to promote the idea that they were a total program, and for this reason, decided not to call their strength and conditioning facility a weight room, but a “Winning Room!” Mary Spade, assistant principal and athletic director at Bangor says, “We had had BFS at Bangor before I came here, but we kind of got away from it, so I decided to bring BFS back.” That decision started with a two-day WRSC Certification and Total Program clinic.

20 Sports, 1 Team at Jeffersonville High

By Carlos Molina. Most people don’t associate weight training with swimming, but they share a connection. The JHS Swim Team supplements their swimming practices with pumping iron to increase speed, strength, power, and reduce the risk of injuries.

BFS ROCKS SWEDEN

BFS is once again traveling to Sweden to work with their American Football program. BFS President John Rowbotham is excited to reconnect with his coaching colleagues in Europe and bring the BFS Total Program to a new generation of Swedish players. Catch up on previous international impacts from BFS with this 2012 Article from the BFS Archives!

Family Man, Teacher, Coach, Friend: Remembering Rick Bojak

Since our early years, BFS magazine has featured many articles sharing the wisdom and accomplishments of BFS Clinician Rick Bojak. Bojak was a class act who inspired countless young men and women to succeed in not just sports, but academics. Rick passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017. To get an idea of the lives this amazing man has touched and changed for the better, consider these tributes:

BFS Professional Development Can Make A Difference In Your Career, Your School, And Your District

Young bodies are growing and maturing and PE classes are where students can learn how much their bodies are capable of. In PE, and in school athletics, lessons in health and self-esteem are taught and BFS is a part of that. BFS is committed to strength, conditioning and agility training for your students. Bringing in a Professional Development Day can change the trajectory of many PE teachers relationship with the weight room.

BFS Impacts Large and Small Districts Across the Country

BFS is a company founded and built by teachers and coaches, for teachers and coaches. The BFS Total Program is a training program that came into existence to solve the problem of unifying training for sports and physical education students. The original coaches of BFS were inspired by track and field athletes who used the weight room to run faster, throw further and leap higher - all skills that are essential to excelling in most other sports. So the Total Program was born to bring these development and training techniques to the entire student body.

The Squat in 2017

Because the squat was such a controversial exercise at the time BFS opened its doors in 1976, almost every article that appeared in BFS magazine about the squat included a section about how it could help prevent injuries, not cause them, and improve athletic performance. The BFS founder and his team of clinicians also took our message on the road, each year giving hundreds of clinics at schools and athletic training facilities promoting the value of squats.

Five Things You Probably Didn't Know About BFS!

With over 41 years in the business, BFS has established itself as the leader in athletic and physical fitness training. We've not only shared our message through our magazine, website, and social media outlets, but our clinicians have given nearly 20,000 hands-on total program clinics, coaching certifications, and character education seminars. Despite this exposure, there are a few unique aspects of BFS that many people may not know about. Here are five of them: Read more

Spanning Generations with Sean Waxman

BFS had a great weekend at FitCon Utah's St George edition. At events like these we are often approached by people who come through the BFS program and have great stories to tell. (After 40 years of making an impact across the country there are a lot of stories tell!) This event was no exception.

BFS on the Road - Professional Development in New York Public Schools!

Working with New York City Public Schools this month has been an awesome experience for BFS. Our all new Professional Development seminars have really been making an impact across the largest school district in the country. Many PE teachers and administrators have hailed the day as one of the most fruitful seminars they have ever attended.

BFS on the Road in Aledo Texas!

BFS Clinician JIm Brown is on the road again. BFS Clinicians are privileged to travel around the country and help athletes students and coaches reach their full potential. On these journeys we get to meet with some of the brightest and best influencers in athletics.

BFS Whats Happening

The BFS Total Program is a comprehensive system with one goal. To help young people be the best they can be in athletics, in academics, and in life. In this issue of BFS Magazine, we have assembled articles for the archives to help you get started!

Bob Rowbotham’s Tradition of Excellence

40 Years Strong In 1979 Bob Rowbotham joined the Bigger Faster Stronger team as a clinician, and eventually took over the company as president and later CEO. Although there have been many advances in the fields of athletic and physical fitness since BFS headquarters opened its doors, the principles BFS was founded on have not changed. Coach Rowbotham has made certain of that.

BFS Leadership Program Exposes Young Leaders to Top Coaches in Athletics and Sports Science

In the first week of November, BFS hosted our Leadership Program which exposes top students and athletes to real-world applications of leadership. Coach Kyle Fiat and Athletic Director Rich Reed from Dulaney High School in Maryland, accompanied four leaders from the Lion's Lacrosse program to Salt Lake City to learn from top coaches and researchers in the world athletics.

Run the Total Program on your Terms

Boys, girls, soccer, football, volleyball or track - it does not matter, running faster and jumping higher will improve your winning chances. And strength training and conditioning will build your speed and power. The BFS Total Program provides a clear system of record keeping so you know that the training done in the weight room is translating to results on the field of play.

40 Years and Growing Stronger

There is no shortage of social media outlets that promise you the best athletic training system for young athletes. There are good programs, and there are some that are…well, not so good. What separates BFS from all of them is our 40-year history of success. That’s right – four decades!

Be an 11! The Case for Character Education

Every year BFS clinicians visit numerous schools and youth organizations to give Be an 11 presentations that guide young people in setting worthy goals, both athletic and personal, and then help them develop action plans to achieve these goals. The Be an 11 program shows young people the importance of making positive choices, maintaining their self-respect and being team players and role models for others. The Be an 11 program is simply about being successful in all areas of life.

3 Minutes on why 45 Years of BFS Means Success For You!

Breakout! The Championship Camp begins with a "coaches only" breakout session to get the staff up to speed on how the Total Program provides results through record keeping and goal setting. Then the student-athletes get two days of coaching and education on correct lifting, speed, plyometrics, all the while breaking personal records every week!

Character education a dominant attribute of high school sports! BFS Magazine tells the story!

High school football is making a lot of news in the last couple of weeks. And it is not good. From athletes in Texas blindsiding a ref to a top college recruit allegedly smearing a painful cream into an opposing player's face, these are the stories being told about high school athletes. At BFS we acknowledge these sort of events happen, but we firmly reject the notion that they are the norm. We work with 1,000s of students and coaches annually through our Total Program and Be An 11 Seminars and we have seen all the good high school sports brings to individuals, schools and entire communities!

Strong Beginnings: Amber Moss

One of the distinguishing aspects of today’s best athletes is that they tend to get an early start with sport skills and also conditioning. This trend prevails in women’s sports as well as in men’s – and one young woman who is benefiting from early sports preparation is Amber Mos

More Than a Game

A Message from BFS Editor Kim Goss, MS for that award, but he got back on track in the NFL. In his rookie season Peterson set the NFL single-game rushing record (296 yards), and the records kept coming, including his becoming the third-fastest player to reach 10,000 rushing yards

Physical Superiority Made Simple

When the strength coaching profession was in its infancy in the 1970s, it was difficult to find information about periodization. Much of the material appeared only in articles published in expensive journals or a few hard-to-acquire books, many not available in English. All that

Building Girl Power at Hayward High

Hayward High serves a student body that comes from a wide geographical area, quite rural. For some students, it’s a 30-minute commute via their parents to school; for others, it’s a 15-mile bike ride. So, when a student commits to playing sports as a Hayward Hurricane, it means t

BFS Expands in many regions. Team BFS Growing Strong!

BFS Expands in many regions. Are you ready to lead the way? BFS is a company built on the idea that we are helping athletes succeed. Since our humble beginnings in a garage in Salt Lake City in 1976 BFS has been committed to the idea of coaches helping coaches. Now as a nationwid

The Davis Twins: Defying the Odds

Barrett and Mary Catherine Davis are athletic twins who started weight training in middle school to help them become better athletes. Not only did they have a head start pumping iron many years before most coaches would consider allowing a young athlete in the weightroom, they ha

The BFS Online Learning Center, BFS at Home,

BFS at Home Safety and Strength Training BFS at Home is an initiative to help young athletes train train throughout the year. The BFS Total Program has built-in muscle confusion and recovery days that make it an ideal system for year-round development. The BFS Online Learning Cen

Multisport Powerhouse Sesely Omli

football and strength coach, Terry King. “Sesely is an amazing talent.” What makes this high school senior so impressive? Sesely is, first of all, a student-athlete. She carries a 3.96 GPA and plans to attend college to study kinesiology and dietetics. She also is involved in man

BFS Goes Viral

A Message from BFS Editor Kim Goss, MS vide free, downloadable PDF files of every article exactly as they appeared in the magazine. We’ve heard from countless coaches who make many of these articles “bulletin board” material, along with health science instructors who use BFS arti

Mr. Olympia Larry Scott: 1938-2014

The Iron Game lost a legend on March 8 when Larry Dee Scott passed away at the age of 75. In 1965 Scott won the inaugural competition of the most prestigious bodybuilding competition in the world, the Mr. Olympia. Scott competed at a bodyweight of 205 pounds, and his biceps were

Power Clean Meet Enters 11th Year

If you like Las Vegas and you love power cleans, then this spring, you need to head to the Entertainment Capital of the World. That’s when the best high school athletes compete in the WK$QQXDO 1DWLRQDO+LJK6FKRRO3RZHU&OHDQ &KDPSLRQVKLSV The quality of competitors grows e

The Benefits of Unifying a PE Curriculum

Dulaney High has benefited in many ways by integrating the BFS program into their physical education classes and school curriculum. of Unifying a PE Curriculum Dulaney High brings BFS into the classroom It used to be that the interests of physical education and athletic department

The Weightroom Checklist

Gentry High School in Gentry, Arizona, features a BFS weightroom that was carefully planned to ensure safety and efficiency. Checklist Practical advice to keep your gym safe and organized Ijust love it when a plan comes together!” is a famous line by John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, a lead

The Turnaround Artist

Catalina Foothills finished the 2012 season with a 0-10 record, but in 2013 they won eight games and made the playoffs. Jeff Scurran leads the Catalina Foothills Falcons to greatness Jeff Scurran has coached football for over 40 years and has yet to accept a job with a team that h

Chinese Weightlifters: Why They Win Olympic Gold

FOR WOMEN ONLY 6XQ&DL\DQSKRWRE\%UXFH.OHPHQV The Chinese have dominated women’s weightlifting since it was introduced at the Olympic Games of 2000 in Sydney, Australia. Chinese Weightlifters: Why They Win Olympic Gold How the strongest women in the world train BY KIM GOSS, MS

Update: BFS Advisory Board

On January 28-29, 2012, the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic sponsored a human performance seminar that included two BFS Advisory Board members, Dr. Peter Gorman and Dr. William Brechue. Shown l-r: BFS Editor in Chief Kim Goss, Dr. Frank Zolli, Dr. William Brechue

Character Education NOW!

BFS founder Dr. Greg Shepard is shown at one of his inspirational Be an 11 seminars, a character education program he created. Now! What coaches, athletes and parents will experience at a Be an 11 Seminar Those who know about the BFS organization associate it with strength and co

BFS Advisory Board

To keep abreast of the latest information in the areas of strength and conditioning, BFS has assembled an advisory board. One of the goals of the advisory board is to help teachers, parents, coaches and student-athletes understand the risks of concussions and a child’s right to s

The Education of a Pro Soccer Player

Pro Soccer Player How Anisa Guajardo turned her passion into a profession BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA hen Anisa Guajardo started her junior season playing soccer at Pepperdine University, she decided it was time to go from being a bench player to a play maker. Guajardo says, “I analyz

Box Jumping: Do It Right!

BFS PROGRAM Austin John Ryf is the 2010 BFS Male Athlete of the Year. He is a graduate of Winneconne High School in Winneconne, Wisconsin. In these photos Ryf shows how vertical jumping ability is an essential athletic quality in both basketball and football. Box Jumping: Do It R

Protein Powder Gets an Upgrade

If you’re serious about playing on the gridiron, you need high-quality protein – and lots of it! A new protein powder that helps athletes achieve physical superiority ince BFS was founded in 1976 our focus has been on strength, conditioning and character education. It still is, b

Power Weight Training

A look back at the basic ideas that have made BFS so successful for nearly four decades BY DR. GREG SHEPARD, BFS FOUNDER 3KRWRE\%UXFH.OHPHQV Mike McDonald is a powerlifter who during the ’70s held world records in the bench press in four different bodyweight categories at the

Total Program Success at Ferris High

hat an awesome start these last three years have been for Aaron Emeyabbi, the athletic director and head football coach at Ferris High School in Ferris, Texas. The school has experienced a huge turnaround since Emeyabbi took over the athletic program three years ago and implement

BFS Scholarship Athlete Presses On

Since winning the 2012 National High School Power Clean Championships, Brittanie Mastricola has been making great progress in the sport of Olympic-style weightlifting. A BFS-sponsored athlete, Mastricola has successfully made 50 out of 52 attempts in competition, and has exceeded

A Closer Look at the Paleo Diet

3KRWRVE\%UXFH.OHPHQV Developing the muscle power needed to lift heavy weights requires sound, basic nutrition. Shown is Doug Young, who won the IPF World Powerlifting Championships in 1975-1977 in the 242-pound bodyweight class. His older brother, Bob Young, played 16 season

Keeping up with the Carters

At Bloomfield High School, Mike Carter Jr. was a multisport athlete who excelled at football playing quarterback and at baseball playing centerfield. Keeping up with the Carters How BFS helped high school baseball player Mike Carter Jr. earn his college scholarship t takes great co

The BFS-Swedish Connection

On May 18 BFS Editor in Chief Kim Goss (right) attended an Olympic lifting seminar by Anders Lindsjö (left). Lindsjö competed in the 1992 Olympic Games and today is the head coach for the Swedish Olympic Weightlifting Team. Lindsjö says there are three main qualities to mastering

Coaching Legend Pat Summitt

FOR WOMEN ONLY 3KRWRVFRXUWHV\7HQQHVVHH$WKOHWLFV3KRWRJUDSK\ Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt with her team’s record eight national championship trophies. Pat Summitt Summing up the life of the NCAA’s winningest coach BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA at Summitt is one of the best coaches

The BFS Rules of Engagement

FEATURE STORY 3KRWRE\-LP(OOLV0LDPL1HZV5HFRUG 2NODKRPD Rules of Engagement Three simple rules to ensure athletic superiority BY DR. PETER G. GORMAN, PRESIDENT, MICROGATE USA t’s summertime – ready, set, play! For many, the end of the school year means family vacations, fun

The Rise of Youth

Youth A look back at how BFS can help young athletes catch the vision of athletic success Difference It has never been easier to win! BY DR. GREG SHEPARD, BFS FOUNDER A hands-on coach during his career, Dr. Greg Shepard believes that perfect technique is essential for athletic su

Jacob Tompkins BFS Male Athlete of the Year

hen it comes to selecting a BFS Athlete of the Year, all the great qualities we look for can be summed up in one word: balance. There are many superb athletes who have excelled using the BFS program, and many athletes who have excelled in the classroom. What BFS is searching for

Staying Strong at John Carroll High

hen Rich Stichel Jr. started coaching football at John Carroll High School five years ago, he had a tremendous challenge ahead of him. In the previous two Wseasons, the Patriots had won only three of their 21 games. Stichel, however, had never coached a losing team in the seven y

BFS Goes to the Arnold

WHAT’S HAPPENING 3KRWRVE\6WHYH)DXHUZZZIDXHUSKRWRUHÁHFWFRP BFS Goes to the Arnold The Arnold Weightlifting Championships were held on March 1-3, and in attendance this year were BFS editor Kim Goss and BFS scholarship winner Brittanie Mastricola. Mastricola not only made

Back to the Basics with Static Stretching

Model: Emilie Williams, Hunter High School, Salt Lake City Sound advice on developing a safe and effective stretching program t is our intention at Bigger Faster Stronger to provide coaches with a stretching program that not only benefits the athletes but also is useful in coachi

The BFS Difference

Here is Coach Shepard spotting a heavy squat when he was a strength coach at BYU. note: Although this article week developing their bench press by The BFS on the(Editor’s origins of Coach Shepard’s training doing many exercises and sets because Difference It has never been easier

Tottenville Highs's Rise to Success

BFS clinician Ray Cosenza (left) with Tottenville’s head football coach, Jim Munson. Since adopting the BFS program, the football team at Tottenville High School (Staten Island, New York) has built a 41-6 record. BFS clinician Ray Cosenza, Jr., has worked with head coach Jim Muns

Coach Andrea Hudy's Path to Basketball Greatness

Coach Andrea Hudy’s Path to… Andrea Hudy is a hands-on strength coach whose collegiate basketball teams have played in two Final Fours. How this D1 strength coach produces champions at the University of Kansas BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA desire to motivate and improve those around her

Unity and Organization: Your Winning Secrets

All high school athletes, male and female, will benefit from a total athletic training program. This photo was taken in 2005 during a BFS clinic at Amherst High School in Amherst, Wisconsin. Unity and Organization: Your Winning Secrets A look back at how BFS can put an entire athl

A closer Look at the Be an 11 Program

At a BFS clinic in Snowflake, Arizona, BFS clinician Jeff Scurran inspires young men and women to set high goals and develop action plans to achieve them. Be an 11 Program Why young athletes need this great character-building program more than ever BY DR. GREG SHEPARD, BFS FOUNDER

Fast Track to Success at Edgar High School

to Success at Edgar High School Hard work has paid off for these outstanding student athletes hey say you can’t go home again, but Greg Streit knows better. For the past seven years Streit has been a track coach at Edgar High School, the school he graduated from in 2000. As a stu

Staying Strong: Frederica Academy

Coach Clint Morgan and Coach Travis Absher celebrate during the obligatory Gatorade shower after their 34-30 state championship victory. Staying Strong: Frederica Academy How a great prep school created a championship football program from scratch n November 30, 2012, Frederica A

More Awards for Jared Abbrederis

WHAT’S HAPPENING 3KRWRE\'DYLG6WXND:LVFRQVLQ$WKOHWLF&RPPXQLFDWLRQV Jared Abbrederis, starting wide receiver for the University of Wisconsin, was selected first team to the 2012 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Abbrederis was the 2009 BFS High School Male Athlete of the

Women as Personal Trainers: Strategies for Success

areers in fitness, physical education and coaching are some of the most satisfying and rewarding in the country today. They also are very fast-growing fields – the US Department of Labor projects there will be 24 percent more jobs for fitness workers and 30 percent more jobs for

Power Clean Problems and How to Fix Them

How to Fix Them Easy coaching tips to get the most out of this great exercise BY KIM GOSS, MS 3KRWRE\%UXFH.OHPHQV n a perfect world, middle school athletes would begin with the BFS Readiness Program. They would learn how to stretch, run, lift and spot properly. By the time the

Showdown at Sibley East

A section title and the first-ever nine-win season – 2012 was a great year for football at Sibley East High School. at Sibley East BFS training took a team from middle of the pack to champs BY CHUCK HARTMAN, HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, SIBLEY EAST very program wants to get to the next le

Getting Young Athletes Off to a Strong Start

BFS PROGRAM Through his clinics Coach Shepard has personally inspired countless young athletes to achieve their goals in all areas of their lives. A look back at how BFS helps young athletes catch the vision of athletic success (Editor’s note: Although this article on the origins

The Power to Prevail

Athens athletes are using BFS to win games and prepare for life after high school BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA “Nothing can duplicate the confidence you gain from working hard in the weightroom. It gives you a physical and mental edge.” — Luke Mroczenski, senior at Athens High School e

The Roar of the Grizzlies

he 2012 Fruitland football season began with the bar set extremely high. Coming off six straight appearances in the Idaho 3A Championships, this Idaho high school team was expected to return for a seventh appearance with a team that included two Division I Boise State University

Body Image and the Female Athlete

BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA leaner athlete is a better athlete.” Do you agree with this statement? It’s a common belief that is certainly true from a biomechanical perspective: The less mass an athlete has to move, the less force is required to move it at a given speed, meaning that e

Stopping Bullying Now!

hen celebrities speak, the public listens. Often the message is merely their current pet peeve and hardly worth our attention, but sometimes what they say sheds light on a serious social issue. At such times their fame is useful because it can rally the public to do something pos

2012 BFS High School Male Athlete of the Year

Male Athlete of the Year Nick Benhoff is part of a new generation of lacrosse players n the past most of the recipients of our annual award for exceptional high school male student athletes were multi-sport athletes who excelled in football. This year, our selection for this pres

The Lighter Side of Weightlifting

Geoff Fleming is a former weightlifter and publisher of the classic weightlifting newsletter parody, The International Weightlifting Newsletter and Gazette. Fleming is allowing us to share with BFS readers some of his cartoons, such as this one describing the history of barbell b

Womens's Training vs. Mens's Training

vs. Men’s Training 0DU\3LHU*DXGHWSKRWRE\.DULP*KRQHP‹3ROLTXLQ3HUIRUPDQFH Important findings on how to coach women to achieve physical superiority BY PAUL GAGNÉ, STRENGTH COACH AND POSTUROLOGIST hose of us who watched the televised gymnastics competitions of the London O

The Power Clean for Athletes

Editor’s note: Although this article on the origins of Coach Shepard’s training methods was written 18 years ago, the ideas are still relevant today.] t BFS we believe the power clean is essential for athletes who want to achieve their full athletic potential. Moreover, athletes

What is BFS

BFS? Here’s why the BFS program is so effective for young athletes ne statement BFS clinicians keep hearing over the years is “We did parts of your program and had some success, but it wasn’t until we decided to do the entire BFS Program that our program stepped up to the next le

The Art of the Comback: Abbey Ristow

The Art of the Comeback: A serious knee injury was not going to stop her from achieving greatness hat other athletes may call extra work, Abbey Ristow calls opportunity,” says BFS program coach Chad Whalen of Ellsworth High School in Wisconsin. Enduring athletic energy, sheer int

Records fall at Power Clean Championships

Las Vegas has earned another nickname: Power Clean City! On May 12th, strong male and female high school athletes from across the country came to Bonanza High School in Las Vegas to compete in the 10th Annual National High School Power Clean Championships. As happens every year t

Breaking Barriers: Women in Strength Coaching

Breaking Barriers: Strength Coaching Strength coach Nikki Gnozzio is changing perceptions in her profession BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA Nikki Gnozzio has worked hard to earn a position as a college strength coach. ou could call them your secret weapon. Or your quiet iron. They are str

2012 BFS High School Female Athlete of the Year

Female Athlete of the Year Jessica Marie Staggs is one powerful young woman 3KRWR -LP(OOLV0LDPL1HZV5HFRUG 2NODKRPD hat do cheerleading, track and field, basketball, powerlifting and academic excellence have in common? Answer: Jessica Marie Staggs, the recipient of our annu

How Olympians Train: US Skiing and Snowboarding

FOR WOMEN ONLY 0DOFROP&DUPLFKDHO$OSLQH&DQDGDSKRWR Stacey Cook finished last season ranked 10th in the world in downhill skiing. How Olympians Train: US Skiing and Snowboarding An exclusive interview with strength coach Ernie Rimer BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA rnie Rimer is a stren

Periodization Analysis

BY DR. GREG SHEPARD, BFS FOUNDER/CEO (Editor’s note: Although this article for coaches was written 16 years ago, the ideas are still relevant today. The periodization methods that Dr. Mike Stone developed were used in many publications by the National Strength and Conditioning As

BFS High School of the Year

3KRWRE\-LP(OOLV0LDPL1HZV5HFRUG 2NODKRPD High School of the Year After one year with BFS, the Bears went from being a 0-10 football team to a 9-3 team. Wyandotte High is the recipient of BFS’s highest award yandotte High School is a terrific place to get an education, not

What's Your Goal?

During Be an 11 clinics, Coach Shepard has teams work to determine their goals and establish an action plan to achieve them. What’s Your Goal? Timeless insight into a proven mindset and training philosophy for success (Editor’s note: Although this article for coaches was written

Answering the Critics: The Back Squat

BY KIM GOSS, MS ver since BFS was founded in 1976, we have been promoting the back squat as a core exercise for athletes – but it hasn’t been easy. On occasion the medical community has discouraged its use, thinking it was harmful to the knees and could stunt a young athlete’s gr

What's Happening

FROM THE EDITOR A Message from BFS Editor in Chief Kim Goss, MS Game, Interrupted I would say that if Rabinoff were to compile a top 10 list he scandal at Penn State has been the focus of every of what Paterno should have done when he first heard major sports network and the gene

Penn State: A Be and 11 Perspective

Penn State: A Be an 11 Perspective Personal thoughts on leadership BY DR. GREG SHEPARD, CEO/FOUNDER BFS ’ve started many successful businesses in my life, one business plans. Business plans are a great idea – in fact, they are critical to success – but there is a big problem if t

BFS Builds Self-Esteem

Dulaney High School has implemented a strength and conditioning program that develops young women who are strong and confident. As a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist in the Baltimore County Public School system, I often work with students who are dealing wit

2011 BFS High School of the Year

High School of the Year How Dulaney High embraced the principles of the BFS Total Program BY LAANNA CARRASCO, MA eenagers who become physically fit and happier will always be a great thing to see. That’s what the students at Dulaney High School in Timonium, Maryland, have become

The Dark Side of Sports

Why parents and schools must take action now about this serious issue n the animal kingdom, predators go after the weakest prey. When stalking a band of gorillas, lions don’t face off against the alpha male who could put up a good fight; they are more likely to go after the babie

Hex Bar Squat Jumps for Ultimate Power

Jumping with a hex bar is biomechanically more specific than jumping with a barbell resting on the shoulders. Shown performing a squat jump is Lusia Angilau, a member of the women’s volleyball team at Southern Utah. Angilau appeared on our Sep/Oct 2009 cover, and had a 27.1 inch v

The Next Level of Athletic Fitness Training

TRAINING & EQUIPMENT 3KRWR 7KRPDV$QGHUVVRQ The true test of an athletic program is in competition. Shown here is game-day action from the Arlanda Jets, a football program in Sweden that will be featured in our next issue. The Next Level of Athletic Fitness Training How OptoJump

The BFS Football Experience

Football Experience Why the BFS program has proven to be the choice of champions Heritage High School won its first-ever state championship in 2009 after adopting the BFS program. y the time this magazine gets into the hands of most high school football coaches, their seasons will

How Good is Good?

BFS PROGRAM (Editor’s note: Having been involved with BFS for nearly a quarter of a century, I find it interesting that a lot of coaches I’ve talked to have kept every issue of BFS magazine. The reason is that much of the information, particularly the training physiology and idea

Speaking Up About BFS

BFS clinician Jeff Scurran has developed a reputation for turning around high school football programs. very issue of BFS magazine contains success stories from high school football programs that have won with BFS. For some, adopting the BFS program completely turned around their

A New Slant on Back Training

TRAINING & EQUIPMENT The glute-ham raise combines a hip extension exercise with a knee extension exercise. A New Slant on Back Training A look at great, but often overlooked, back extension exercises WRegarding athletes, if you focus on the strength aspect of this theory, a weakn

A Closer Look at the Opto Jump

Opto Jump The latest in a great testing and diagnostic tool t’s great to have a positive attitude and to expect that when a child participates in high school sports they will get excellent coaching – and that if an injury occurs, the staff will know exactly how to take care of it

2011 BFS High School Male Athlete of the Year

Male Athlete of the Year Parker Adams is this year’s winner of this prestigious award ne of the requirements of being eligible for the BFS High School Male Athlete of the Year award is being a good student as well as a great athlete. Parker Adams is great in both, excelling in mu

Building Champions at Brodhead High

BY KIM GOSS, MS irty Jobs is a reality show hosted by Mike Rowe on the Discovery Channel. Rowe profiles jobs that most people would consider undesirable, but these jobs are necessary for us to maintain our lifestyle. Although athletic directors don’t have to dig ditches in worm-i

What’s Happening

FROM THE EDITOR A Message from BFS Editor in Chief Kim Goss, MS Staying with It in a game? After all, you have a supportive audience watching ack when I was a strength coach at the Air Force your every move, your teammates and coaches encouraging Academy, I remember one summer in

The Death of Food

Soylent Green is people! Soylent Green is people! his is the classic line from the 1973 science fiction classic Soylent Green. The story takes place in a future in which food is so scarce that society lives off processed foods, one being a high-energy wafer called Soylent Green.