What does it take to become an award-winning Director of Strength and Conditioning in the National Football League (NFL)? Justin Lovett reveals the “we over me” mentality that guides his role with the Los Angeles Rams. Lovett reflects on receiving the 2024 NSCA Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award after being an NSCA Member for over 20 years. He draws parallels between working with high school and NFL athletes — where the desired training responses are the same and ability levels vary — making versatility key. Lovett also stresses the importance of finding clean and effective training methods to accommodate wear and tear in football athletes. He compares the Rams’ hiring philosophy to gathering “infinity stones,” emphasizing character attributes, culture alignment, and staff chemistry. Lovett and NSCA Coaching and Sport Science Program Manager Eric McMahon discuss progressing into leadership and the rise of performance director roles, as well as how to seek out career and networking opportunities. Connect with Justin on Instagram: @strcoachlovett, Twitter/X: @justin_lovett, or LinkedIn: Justin Lovett | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs or LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs

Trainer Tips are infographics designed to help you, an NSCA professional, educate clients and promote your services. These member-only resources can be used for client education, motivation, and promotion.

Learn how to use sprinting as a means of screening athletes for power, strength, range of motion, and coordination. In this session from the NSCA’s 2018 National Conference, Derek Hansen also identifies appropriate sprinting and running mechanics for optimizing performance and minimizing injury, and outlines a process for using sprinting as a return-to-play modality for soft-tissue and joint injuries.

The initial interview is the starting point for the client-trainer relationship and sets the tone for the emotional connection and the development of trust and value for a long-lasting professional relationship.

This article provides a sample six-week, non-linear program for improving muscular strength, power, endurance, anaerobic capacity, and aerobic capacity. However, this is not a “one-size fits all” program, and manipulation of the program variables may be warranted for some individuals.

Interventions for a Stable Shoulder Complex – Building a Solid Foundation

In this session from the NSCA’s 2016 TSAC Annual Training, Tonya Butler-Collins identifies key sources of funding from alternative sources outside of traditional banks. This session teaches how to partner with non-profit entities for grants and identify missions, visions, and goals in order to align appropriate partners for funding.

David Crump describes strategies on client retention and how to make memorable experiences for your client as a personal trainer.

In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 TSAC Annual Training, Tim Doyle teaches about the complexity of developing tests and standards for tactical populations and the importance of sound science backing the tests and standards.

This 2018 TSAC Annual Training video features Charles Kornhauser and Ryan Holmes discussing their experience in identifying the challenges in physical training for police recruits, and their development of programs based on task analysis and injury prevention for individuals in the academy.