This is great advice, Matt. The only thing that I would really double down on is the importance of real-life experience. It's the nuances of program design and exercise technique that trip up the otherwise book-smart students. We have to get past the idea that these skills can be learned in the classroom or online and push our students into the weight room, onto the field, and in front of athletes. This is why I'm constantly telling my students to spend time under the bar, to chase athletic and physical goals, and to put in the time coaching others. And at the very least, land yourself an internship and put in the hours observing. I learned a "short and sharp" dip in the push-press and to "stay over the bar" in the snatch when training with a weightlifting club team. I cut my teeth in agility drills as a high school S&C assistant coach and later in DI weight rooms. I have run the 300yd shuttle with the collegiate tennis teams I worked with. And this was all prior to taking and passing the CSCS 7 or 8 years ago. I say all this to encourage people watching this (and those who watch my channel as well) to pause the video, close the textbook, and get out there and coach. Train. Compete, even. Put these things that Matt is teaching you into practice. That's when you will truly start to lock it in. You'll know that push-press was soft and sloppy not because the textbook says so but because a) it is supposed to train the SSC and should be snappy b) a tighter dip means more tension and better elastic return, and c) it just plain looks wrong, different from the elite weightlifters you geek out on or those slow-motion videos that WL House shows on youtube. Keep up the good work on this channel, Matt. It's cool to see where you've grown to as we enter 2024.
All great advice doc! Definitely agree experience is key. What helped me a ton was a 400 hour internship that turned into about 600 seeing and helping 6 different coaches train hundreds of athletes and movements. Definitely got a feel for what looks right and what cues make sense in the gym. That said, they also coached us to spot Olympic lifts at that D1 facility, so there was still a need to refine the “book specific” details. I often say though that if you don’t feel like you could step into a weight room and lead a group of athletes then you shouldn’t pass and become a CSCS. You need that real in person experience to get that feel and truly be a qualified S&C specialist. With the variability of access to good coaches to learn from, I hope coaches take advantage of in person experience as much as possible as well as the videos like your page and other high quality study material to refine their craft and elevate the profession. Take care brother.
I’ll be taking the CSCS exam on May 24th. I just completed my BS exercise science. I have been a CF L1 for 2+ years with about 350 hours of coaching. And a USAW L1 for about 1.5 years. Also did 3 internships with doing an exercise program with the schools ROTC cadets .. in addition I’ve been training and exercising for around 17 years.. including 10 + years in the Marines involved in unit PT… I plan to study 30 minutes per day until this exam and make sure I know NSCA specifics.. do y’all see anywhere I should focus sense I feel that applied will be more my strength? Thanks - Jordan
I've a question: how can you prepare yourself to answers questions about movment you've never studied like Atlas Stone and Single Leg box drop? How can you anticipate subjects that are not in the book?
Love your content! Took the CSCS exam but I have to retake the practical applied section. I struggled with the organization and administration portion and the program design. I retake my exam in 2 days. Any advice?
Hello. I am wanting to do strength and conditioning and take my CSCS. I don’t have a related degree and hope to get my CSCS before that is a requirement. Do you think it is impossible for someone without a degree in the field to pass. All of the strength and conditioning knowledge I know is through courses and books that I have read. Also for someone who doesn’t have a degree in the related field. How long do you recommend to study. I potentially want to study 2+ hours a day. Your videos I think will help me a lot.
We’ve had a ton of students without a related degree go through The Movement System CSCS Study Course and pass. I would recommend at least 6 months of time diligently reading the book and watching videos and taking notes. Also you’ll want to shadow or intern at a S&C facility. You can email around to find one.
Hello Mat. Nice job! You explain difficult thing in the simple manner. I have a question from your experience perspective. I had a 10 years of coaching in soccer as S&C coach, have Bahelor and Masters + EXS Specialist. And answer on your 4 questions very easy:)) How long does it take to learn in my case? Your predictions Thanks
You may be reading it incorrectly. Correct technique involves shuffling left at the first cone then right then left back to the center cone before backpedaling.
Join the CSCS Study Group on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/2415992685342170
This is great advice, Matt. The only thing that I would really double down on is the importance of real-life experience. It's the nuances of program design and exercise technique that trip up the otherwise book-smart students. We have to get past the idea that these skills can be learned in the classroom or online and push our students into the weight room, onto the field, and in front of athletes. This is why I'm constantly telling my students to spend time under the bar, to chase athletic and physical goals, and to put in the time coaching others. And at the very least, land yourself an internship and put in the hours observing. I learned a "short and sharp" dip in the push-press and to "stay over the bar" in the snatch when training with a weightlifting club team. I cut my teeth in agility drills as a high school S&C assistant coach and later in DI weight rooms. I have run the 300yd shuttle with the collegiate tennis teams I worked with. And this was all prior to taking and passing the CSCS 7 or 8 years ago. I say all this to encourage people watching this (and those who watch my channel as well) to pause the video, close the textbook, and get out there and coach. Train. Compete, even. Put these things that Matt is teaching you into practice. That's when you will truly start to lock it in. You'll know that push-press was soft and sloppy not because the textbook says so but because a) it is supposed to train the SSC and should be snappy b) a tighter dip means more tension and better elastic return, and c) it just plain looks wrong, different from the elite weightlifters you geek out on or those slow-motion videos that WL House shows on youtube.
Keep up the good work on this channel, Matt. It's cool to see where you've grown to as we enter 2024.
All great advice doc! Definitely agree experience is key. What helped me a ton was a 400 hour internship that turned into about 600 seeing and helping 6 different coaches train hundreds of athletes and movements. Definitely got a feel for what looks right and what cues make sense in the gym. That said, they also coached us to spot Olympic lifts at that D1 facility, so there was still a need to refine the “book specific” details.
I often say though that if you don’t feel like you could step into a weight room and lead a group of athletes then you shouldn’t pass and become a CSCS. You need that real in person experience to get that feel and truly be a qualified S&C specialist.
With the variability of access to good coaches to learn from, I hope coaches take advantage of in person experience as much as possible as well as the videos like your page and other high quality study material to refine their craft and elevate the profession. Take care brother.
I’ll be taking the CSCS exam on May 24th. I just completed my BS exercise science. I have been a CF L1 for 2+ years with about 350 hours of coaching. And a USAW L1 for about 1.5 years. Also did 3 internships with doing an exercise program with the schools ROTC cadets .. in addition I’ve been training and exercising for around 17 years.. including 10 + years in the Marines involved in unit PT… I plan to study 30 minutes per day until this exam and make sure I know NSCA specifics.. do y’all see anywhere I should focus sense I feel that applied will be more my strength? Thanks - Jordan
Dude, your stuff is gold
I know your area is CSCS, but you could create content about CPSS. Like the job market, what the exam is like, among other information.
I've a question: how can you prepare yourself to answers questions about movment you've never studied like Atlas Stone and Single Leg box drop? How can you anticipate subjects that are not in the book?
Love your content! Took the CSCS exam but I have to retake the practical applied section. I struggled with the organization and administration portion and the program design. I retake my exam in 2 days. Any advice?
Take a practice test if you have the time. That can help you pick up a few points: www.themovementsystem.com/offers/cF2D5UwS/checkout
Hello. I am wanting to do strength and conditioning and take my CSCS. I don’t have a related degree and hope to get my CSCS before that is a requirement. Do you think it is impossible for someone without a degree in the field to pass. All of the strength and conditioning knowledge I know is through courses and books that I have read. Also for someone who doesn’t have a degree in the related field. How long do you recommend to study. I potentially want to study 2+ hours a day. Your videos I think will help me a lot.
We’ve had a ton of students without a related degree go through The Movement System CSCS Study Course and pass. I would recommend at least 6 months of time diligently reading the book and watching videos and taking notes. Also you’ll want to shadow or intern at a S&C facility. You can email around to find one.
@@TheMovementSystemawesome. Thank you for the advice and the quick reply will definitely be checking that out.
Hello Mat. Nice job! You explain difficult thing in the simple manner.
I have a question from your experience perspective. I had a 10 years of coaching in soccer as S&C coach, have Bahelor and Masters + EXS Specialist. And answer on your 4 questions very easy:)) How long does it take to learn in my case? Your predictions
Thanks
Is the exam a paper exam or an online exam at the testing center? Also do we get a calculator and scratch paper for the calculation based questions?
It’s at a testing center. Scratch paper is provided but no calculator
Perez Maria Thompson Mark Davis Frank
In t test in cscs book it is mentioned u go to he right and than left but in your ex athlete moved left than right and u r saying it is right tch how
You may be reading it incorrectly. Correct technique involves shuffling left at the first cone then right then left back to the center cone before backpedaling.
Sorry my bad ur right
Does your cscs course still help with the exam?
Yes
Allen David Hall Maria Clark Donna
Is it safe for a 11 year old to take amino acids?
Is it save for a 11 years old to eat protein like chicken, beef, eggs or soy? Yes.