RAMPAGE: a coaching session framework

Designing effective training & practice sessions

Although the development of general athleticism (defined as the ability to repeatedly perform a range of movements with precision and confidence in a variety of environments, which require competent levels of motor skills, strength, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and endurance) is usually the primary focus of conversations and practice guidelines of long-term athlete development, it should be recognized that ‘athlete development’ goes beyond fundamental movement skills and typical strength & conditioning-type activities like speed and agility training, plyometrics and strength training. Overall athletic development is a culmination of not only these physical attributes but also the technical and tactical skills required of the sport and the mental or psychological skills of the athlete (focus, concentration, motivation, etc.).

And at the youth level, this can all be attained within the timeframe of a well-designed and executed practice session.

First, take a moment to consider how youth coaches design and conduct training or practice sessions? ……….. ok, many probably don’t have a practice plan …… or rely on what they did as a young athlete. Maybe run a few laps, circle up and stretch, a few skills and drills (usually with long lines), and scrimmage. Of course, there are educated and certified youth sport coaches with well-thought practice plans or utilizing existing national governing body templates and curriculum.

But here, let’s consider RAMPAGE - a training/practice session framework for the coach.

What is RAMPAGE?

RAMPAGE is built around the popular RAMP dynamic warm up (Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Prepare) and adds elements of Activity & Games + post-session Evaluate (RAMPAGE) to target a range of physical, technical, tactical and psycho-social components of sports performance rather than just standalone areas (e.g., technical only).

The framework provides practitioners/coaches with what can be planned and delivered and when within a coaching session. This has application across multiple ages and stages of development and contexts (e.g., physical education and talent development).

Based on previous research, the RAMP portion of the session can improve motor competency, reduce injury risk reduction and enhance mental alertness and preparedness for the training session. It provides an excellent opportunity to micro-dose each of the physical qualities of athleticism.

The Activity and Games part is standard to best practices in practice or training session design and often seen by coaches as the main part of the overall session. The final Evaluation part of the session can be used for cool-down activities while reviewing and evaluating the session. This can also be a good time to integrate lessons on recovery (nutrition and sleep), mental skills, and character development; however, these aspects should be threaded throughout a practice or training session.

Link to the original paper here

To learn more about RAMPAGE, check out this overview by lead author Dr Kevin Till on the LTADchat.