JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?P< "8'B8R.K@b)9sE S=ONw(?FqVW5Ӥ[H9u N3OW>նK˦v\#V3o NjOJD/ $cJ2RWFr aR12HJzttJmTSxv}@M+J ߅4D}?:;TSS\i3 0j4S:5"?F dS*NGqO=K=SO8$P ZxƺV3##Rm?IڗgA␮{T>^ SCL)VJTeyb8m6i>eW/ʭǡ}L< ْWlac^Ydb 19~4Tvm[3tBa8`$#@4}s,;]ufX$aUr 壾Sc[iW;:[/C[+s`n1:ұ-]:;81T€@uwsnf(x[Y>rAoBy$ADi>!vr!dCZ 9~ ηt icqı}>*gR0ܨRGvSr9d&=Uji_jQv ҘJv}b=22:P2 )uS2S/;QL ;x\xsN_H0z>Rc_sR3Tp:P) zPYAzלQ4sɯEN5的gMM^O5s5efًGTB -Vb>Wj6 Vm+DXt8=kִM^"i/$ThHDZQڞuMV#\d(ӎVSw+?uCikC"Liʂ){~RFwGUGY:M=#u;-eoċ$mv f=2[,[ \l*|v<,sY;U[ >&23=+;#_Jdwt)do$rOV+EtN8!W%jYIʟva\lVDwRlLŚ<͵L'QN29Wpgb.}l&{ D$'{t5c 6s>Q͌g̫#!n{UÑ2C/ǽZ)hW 85G=$O9jsڠ `3 viQ_£ROjr:@9GzNٮomUҷLUYZL6ɐAz}fZMKC1ߤJApPJÇNvo8=+6ЯayK2 a69qzlzpPNjcO *Hi1讟][Hڲedx&'VPΧ֪L!]D=e'TZ3'-S)?<*[`sKbwo'Hҥ<5ur{6cFb=kT`!'5[Qyx?HV7]Nne9Tk;Vzzӳ:tZx?ʻ#$Edh\ R!Fmm!#>;dp ݰ̲z\ʛXh[*;H䳝Z%lԾb I!kymECRGN? q(pN9<>܎'~3  $ZKmRO˜Y`NnT1܇ЊwEN85_6vDIr!}i#/?Ok!raڶ dt?'c#=)]=Jf9j܀0O'$W/AkԃO(@%/-Cw ;zc+y0]ּz6, ㆍwHgQP7A?{q~>KvUA G{ AH}okgKKQv.!Qd|5oEǘGAOҦ]x>6RPsRʍEj"j$2}i𣟥2i{0b[UAU hxZD38mLm.THV0}H_֠&Ȧ%.*hlUG*zU( m@ f) ojhZ3*Wێ\#=TØ>IEqr> m30<|?hfȶڲ2d` f>Ӷ 1A%>aE,O|ҔlPOU( 4.8vSrs8)ۏ4Q@y p:f)0%zמ=hs&8$=袀岩 6@\Ex/z\ aEy$j( A (›z(aT2>'󢊤&UiNQWdMoung athletes who do weight train, we feel the benefits far outweigh any possible risks.<br>First of all, we are in the business of helping athletes and people reach their potential and without weight training this is virtually impossible. A study on 7th graders weight training has drawn preliminary conclusions that no interference of bone growth resulted from weight training. Dr. Mel Hayashi, a noted orthopedic surgeon from Thousand Oaks, California, states  The BFS Readiness Program should provide great benefits to the junior high athlete. I have no concerns as long as the athlete has good technique. Dr. Hayashi has been a chief orthopedic surgeon at the past Olympic Games and has been a chief resident at the Mayo Clinic. Many strength coaches of major universities throughout the nation have been asked when an athlete should start weight training. The vast majority responded:  In Junior High. The Eastern Bloc countries start their athletes' weight training at the age of 12. In addition, we know weight training is one of the greatest ways to build self-confidence and self esteem. A seventh grader can receive just as much satisfaction going from 85 pounds to 100 pounds on his bench as can a 12th grader going from 285 to 300 pounds. However, we also believe strict supervision is a must along with the teaching of proper technique to make the BFS Readiness Program work in the Junior High. Programs like the BFS Readiness Program are completely endorsed and approved by the National Strength Coaches Association.<br><br><br>HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH THE PROGRAM?<br><br>I have broken down the Readiness program into five sections from Unification to Graduation, but first lets discuss one of the most critical parts of a successful program.<br><br>UNIFICATION<br><br>All sports both boys and girls in grades seven through twelve should be on the same strength and conditioning program. In the vast majority of schools every sport does their own thing. Invariably with the multi-sport athlete this causes confusion and it is terribly inefficient. Many great dominant football programs have all grade levels use the same system of offense, defense and terms. A dominant strength and conditioning program should be the same way. All coaches should use the same terms, the same warm-up, the same flexibility, lifting, speed and plyometric program. Begin this concept in the 7th grade with the BFS Readiness Program.<br><br><br>GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT<br><br> The BFS Readiness weightlifting program highly recommends several trend-setting pieces of equipment. First, the Aluma-lite bar (15 pounds) and the Ultra-lite bar (30 pounds). These bars are very similar to a regular 45-pound Olympic bar except for the weight. They are designed specifically by BFS for training and learning. Even a smaller 7th grade boy or girl can learn any lift safely and correctly. It is loads of fun for these kids because now they can lift just like the older high school or college kids. They can build explosive power, strength and self-confidence while learning correct athletic positions which can be used in their sport. <br>The second piece of equipment is the BFS Training Plate and the BFS 10 lb. Bumper plate. When doing a Clean or any lift from the floor, the bar needs to be elevated high enough to get into a safe position about 8-9 inches off the floor. This allows for the back to be properly locked-in and the chest spread. By doing this, the athletes are able to place the lifting emphasis on their hips and legs as opposed to their backs and arms. You simply cannot do this with a five or a ten pound steel plate because the bar is barley off the floor causing the athlete to have to bend almost completel