Alan Stein Interview // Professional Strength & Conditioning Coach

AlanStein

Alan Stein is the owner of Stronger Team and the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the nationally renowned Nike Elite Montrose Christian Mustangs boy’s basketball program.

Alan brings a wealth of valuable experience to his training arsenal after years of extensive work with elite high school, college, and NBA players. His passion, enthusiasm, and innovative training techniques make him one of the nation’s leading experts on productive training for basketball players.

Q1. Would you describe your career path in the sports industry? How did you get started?

[Alan Stein] I have played basketball my entire life and even played at Elon College (now Elon University). Since my junior year in high school I have had a strong passion for strength, conditioning, and performance enhancement training. So having a career where I combine both of my true loves is a dream come true! As for particulars, I was a Sport Management major at Elon (gradutated in 1999) and have worked has a private, professional strength & conditioning coach ever since (www.StrongerTeam.com).

Q2. Can you name a person or book that has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person or book impact your life?

[Alan Stein] Wow, that would be hard to narrow down as I am an avid reader. The first few books that really got me hooked were Leading with Hearth by Coach K and Success Is A Choice by Rick Pitino. Both books are must reads for anyone who has a leadership role; regardless of vocation as the basic fundamentals of quality leadership transcend any industry. I have been extremely fortunate to meet both of these outstanding coaches in person!

Q3. When it’s all said and done, what kind of legacy would you like to leave behind? How would you like to be remembered?

[Alan Stein] I would like for folks to remember how passionate I was about my work and how honored and thankful I was to work with so many amazing players, coaches, teams, and to have had some life changes experiences and opportunities.

Q4. I read on your blog about your trip to Jamaica, working with youth in a poor community. Would you briefly inform the readers on that trip and explain why you describe it as special and life changing?

[Alan Stein] For a recap and background on the Nike Star Search Camp in Jamaica; please visit http://blog.strongerteam.com/post/2009/07/21/Jamaica-Basketball-Camp-Recap.aspx. It was life changing and humbling to see such poverty coupled with such enthusiasm and joy.

Q5. What are the biggest misconceptions of players and coaches regarding strength and conditioning development?

[Alan Stein] Strength and conditioning for basketball is a means to end; not an end itself. Basketball players are NOT power lifters, Olympic lifters, bodybuilders, track athletes, or marathon runners… so they shouldn’t train as such!

Q6. If you were consulting a middle / high school basketball player that had little to no experience with strength and conditioning development, what would be the essential elements that you would instruct them to incorporate into a balanced training program?

[Alan Stein] Work all major muscle groups equally, perform slow and controlled repetitions, focus on proper form/technique, and use resistances that allow you to safely perform 12-15 quality reps. Try to work you body through all three planes of motion along with as many different angles and ranges of motion as possible. And obviously, work hard.

Q7. You were at the LeBron James Skills Academy when the “infamous” dunk happened. Now, I know you said, along with many other basketball minds, that it was not a big deal and over hyped, and I agree. I’m curious though, what was the reaction in the gym? And if it wasn’t a “big deal,” as the tape I viewed suggested, then why do you think the tape was confiscated?

[Alan Stein] The dunk was absolutely no big deal and there was almost no reaction in the gym. Contrary to what everyone thinks; those tapes were going to be confiscated any way. It had nothing to do with the dunk. Nike has always had a very strict (and very appropriate) policy on not allowing those games to be filmed… ever. The gentleman who was filming knew the rules.

Q8. What books are you reading?

[Alan Stein] Just finished several fantastic books; Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Game On by Tom Farrey, and Know Yourself As A Coach by Denny Kuiper. I am currently listening to (Audiobooks) The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle and reading Coach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan for Success by John Wooden. My goal is to read (and/or listen to) 50 books in 2009!

Q9. What blogs in the sports and development industry would you recommend following?

[Alan Stein] First and foremost; my blog! Blog.StrongerTeam.com. I also recommend anything by Brian McCormick (www.TrainForHoops.com), Kevin Eastman (www.KevinEastmanBasketball.com), and Ganon Baker (www.GanonBakerBasketball.com). They all do outstanding work.

Q10. What are your impressions of the social networks (Twitter, etc)? Do you have a strategy?

[Alan Stein] I am really into social media as a means to promote my business, spread the gospel of proper and productive training, and to network with folks from all over the planet. I really enjoy connecting and helping as many players and coaches as I can.

www.Twitter.com/AlanStein – daily motivational quotes and training tips
www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom – motivational talks from camps and an Exercise of the Week
www.Facebook.com/AlanSteinJr – daily motivational quotes and training tips

Thank you to Alan Stein for taking the time to do the interview. Check out his website at Stronger Team.

C.Harv