IYCA – High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist

Become an Expert High School Athlete Strength Coach with This Specialized Certification
Join an Elite Group of Performance Coaches as Certified High School Strength & Conditioning Specialists

***High School Strength and Conditioning Specialists has been updated to NOW INCLUDE our full Olympic Lifting Instructor Course, a new video library and a new Group Organization section!***
The high school level is one of the fastest-growing segments of the strength & conditioning field. Opportunities to work with high school athletes or in high schools are at an all-time high. Unfortunately, these positions are often filled by people who may mean well, but are simply misguided and under-qualified. You have everyone from overzealous parents to sports coaches thinking they know how to train athletes, and the kids simply aren’t getting what they deserve.

Unfortunately, these misguided parents and coaches are often over-training the athletes, wasting their time and energy, or putting them in dangerous situations.

What young athletes need is an expert performance coach, someone like you, to help them reach their highest levels.

The IYCA is on a mission to change the landscape of strength & conditioning in high schools.

To make that possible, the IYCA has revamped the High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist Certification to ensure that it is the most comprehensive, practical and scientifically sound certification available for anyone working with high school athletes.

With authors from major colleges, NFL teams, highly-acclaimed high school programs and world-renowned sports performance facilities, the HSSCS is the gold-standard in education for the high school strength & conditioning coach. In fact, the HSSCS is the ONLY certification geared specifically to coaches working with high school athletes.

Training high school athletes can be difficult, and coaches should be extremely well-educated before implementing programs that have the potential to impact young athletes for the rest of their lives. Just because a coach is really strong, in great shape, watched some videos or attended a clinic does not make him/her qualified to work with young people.

That is precisely why the High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist Certification was created – to ensure that every coach has the foundational knowledge to give these kids the very best training programs available.

We want to empower all athletes to reach their full potential, whether that means simply making a high school team or moving on to the next level to play in college.

It’s about helping athletes build confidence, strength, and awareness. You help them build skills that they will take with them and use for the rest of their lives.

Working with high school athletes is about getting results, but it’s also about making a positive impact that will last a lifetime.

You can be “That Coach”
We’re proud to be the only organization in the world that not only delivers sound, scientifically-based training information, but also dives deep into coaching, sport psychology and how to make a difference in your community. This is what sets us apart, and thousands of outstanding coaches are on board.

In fact, some of the most successful strength and conditioning coaches in the industry are certified through the IYCA. Coaches like…

Eric CresseyMike RobertsonWil FlemingDave GleasonDavid JackJim KielbasoJoe Powell…and thousands more!
To be the best coach possible, you need to learn from the best. You need to learn the scientific underpinnings of training, the practical tips on how to get the most out of athletes, and take advantage of the experience of as many outstanding coaches as possible. That’s why the HSSCS doesn’t just have a couple of authors – the HSSCS brings you the knowledge of 20 incredible coaches with over 300 years of combined experience!

You need to be truly excellent and differentiate yourself from other coaches. You just found the way to make that happen.

What is the High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist Certification?
This course takes years of research and practical application and provides you with the most critical aspects of training High School athletes.

The High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist will teach you:

The IYCA’s revolutionary approach to Long Term Athletic Development. We’ve been preaching this unique training system for nearly a decade, before it became a hot topic in the industry.
How to plan and approach your training to account for the specific needs of your high school athletes including sports specialization (when it’s necessary) and how to account for the difference in training needed for your freshman through seniors.
What the best of the best are doing through hands-on, practical experiences. 20 highly-respected coaches share their insights and knowledge gained from coaching thousands of athletes.
Programming systems that will empower high school athletes to reach their full potential. These sys

IYCA – High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist: Build Stronger, Smarter, Resilient Athletes

The IYCA High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist certification is a flagship program designed specifically for coaches, educators, and performance professionals working with adolescent athletes. This course offers an in-depth, age-appropriate framework for developing functional strength, power, mobility, and mental resilience in high school-aged populations.

With a deliberate balance between scientific principles and practical coaching tools, this certification equips you to train young athletes not just for the next game, but for long-term success and durability in their athletic careers.

Whether you’re running a high school weight room, coaching a varsity team, or building performance programs in a private facility, this course provides the knowledge, structure, and confidence to lead with impact.

What You’ll Learn in High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist

This robust certification blends evidence-based theory with field-ready application. You’ll walk away with the skills to develop comprehensive, adaptable training programs tailored to the high school level. Inside the curriculum:

Athlete-Centered Program Design
Learn how to structure safe and effective strength and conditioning plans that respect growth stages, hormonal development, and individual movement profiles.

Technical Mastery of Movement Patterns
Gain detailed instruction on coaching squats, hinges, presses, pulls, and loaded carries—along with regressions and progressions appropriate for all levels.

Energy System Development for Teen Athletes
Explore how to condition athletes for their sport without compromising recovery or interfering with growth and maturation.

Injury Reduction & Long-Term Athletic Health
Discover how to build durable athletes through proper movement mechanics, load management, and strategic recovery protocols.

Behavioral and Psychological Coaching
Enhance your influence by understanding how to motivate, communicate, and lead high school athletes—inside and outside the weight room.

Practical Weight Room Management
Develop systems to organize training sessions efficiently, maintain safety, and build a culture of accountability and excellence.

Who Should Become a High School S&C Specialist?

This certification is designed for professionals who work directly with youth athletes in competitive or developmental settings, including:

• High School Strength Coaches managing team or school-wide training programs

• PE Teachers & Athletic Directors seeking structured, science-backed performance curricula

• Sports Performance Specialists transitioning into youth-centered programming

• Personal Trainers who want to expand into the high school athlete market

• Youth Coaches looking to apply sound training principles without risking injury or burnout

Why Choose IYCA?

The International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA) is globally recognized as a pioneer in youth athletic development education. With a firm commitment to research-based methods and long-term athlete success, IYCA certifications are built on a foundation of real-world coaching experience and scientific credibility.

The High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist course reflects this philosophy by offering an actionable roadmap for professionals who want to empower young athletes with more than just reps—it’s about character, competence, and confidence.

What Makes This Certification Different?

• Designed Exclusively for High School Athletes: No guesswork. No watered-down pro templates.

• Focuses on Development, Not Just Performance: Train the person and the athlete—at the same time.

• Field-Tested by Experienced Coaches: Real tools, real templates, and real transformation.

• Scalable for Teams or Individuals: Apply the methods in large group settings or small private training environments.

Lead the Next Generation of Athletes with Clarity & Purpose

As high school sports grow in competitiveness and complexity, so does the need for qualified strength and conditioning professionals. This certification gives you the roadmap to deliver safe, progressive, and transformational training experiences to athletes in their most pivotal years.

→ Enroll now and set the gold standard for high school athletic development.