Athlete Performance Testing - Part 3

Just as performance testing gives the athlete an idea of what performance goals are feasible, testing also gives the performance coach a good feel for where the athlete’s overall athletic potential lies. To determine athletic potential, the performance coach will often create and utilize an athletic profile of the athlete.

When performance coaches profile an athlete, they look at the performance requirements for a particular sport, and then evaluate the athlete based on their performance results to determine what areas the athlete is proficient and deficient in. Based on their evaluation, the performance coach will then create a program to address the individual strengths and weaknesses of each athlete.


A sample athletic profile comparing an athlete’s performance testing results to ideal marks.

While most athletes tend to gravitate toward training only their strengths, it is the performance coach’s responsibility to bring up the athlete’s weaker areas while maintaining their stronger suites to create the most balanced, well-rounded profile possible. The saying “you are only as strong as your weakest link” rings true here!

Athletes who neglect their weaker areas of performance in favor of training only their strengths present a significant disadvantage on the playing field, as these weaker points will undoubtedly be exploited by competitors once they are identified.

This is why it is crucial to have a sound performance program that constantly evaluates athletic potential in an unbiased manner and places a premium on addressing weaknesses as well as strengths!

Keep Training!
Coach Anthony & Akron General Sports Performance