Injuries: Either Prehab or Rehab

Injuries are a part of the game, but what if you could purchase an insurance policy or training that would eliminate future injuries from happening.

Prehab programs range from dynamic warm-ups specific to gender and age to training programs that address specific needs of the individual and sport to recovery protocols that speed the process of the body recovering from training stimulus.

While we realize that you are not able to eliminate all injuries, this type of training has proven to prevent injuries from occurring. 

Here are a couple examples from real athletes:
1.  Male, age 13:
Situation: Had a small twinge in his lower back.  Not major, just once in a while.  The normal answer to these pains is to rest for a couple days and then the pain will dissipate.
Process:  After an initial appointment with Dr Sandell from Spine and Sports Institute, the diagnosis was the start of a tropism in his lower back
Solution:  Three appointments with the Doc and a specific flexibility and strength program focusing on his hips and glutes.  Three weeks later.. He was pain free and did not miss any practice time or games.

2.  Female, age 14:
Situation:  With continued rise in ACL injuries in females on the radar, an insurance policy of prehab training might be worth the time and expense.
Process: Have her complete an Athlete Functional Test with a sports physician. The test results show that she was quad dominate and has valgus knee.
Solution:  ACL prevention warm-ups and workouts twice a week and then continuing workouts specific to her needs. And best of all, no injuries to date.

Stephen McCarthy at Eden Prarie Tubby Smith Camp

We excited to announce that we have accepted a staff coaching position at the Tubby Smith Camp in Eden Prairie, MN this summer.  As one of the leading coaches in the nation, we are looking forward working his team the week of July 9-12th, 2012.

If you would like more information on how you can attend the camp, contact Stephen McCarthy at 612-741-0982.

For more information on the camp, check out the Tubby Smith Camp Website

Grassroots Hoops Club Selects The McCarthy Project

We are excited to announce that Grassroots Hoops Club has chosen The McCarthy Project for training their athletes.   We will be running a summer training program for their elite teams, as well as, consulting them on the 6 Dimension of Training.

"We are totally thrilled that Brian and his elite teams will be working with us over the summer this year.  They have had outstanding results over the last couple years, we are looking to build on that success and help them develop a more complete athlete for the next level."  Stephen McCarthy, Director of The McCarthy Project.

For more information, connect with us at 612-741-0982.

To connect with Brian Sandifer, check out the Grassroots website.

Strategic Relationships

We use and support the following companies:

1.  Spine and Sports Institute: The best sports med docs in the nation.

2.  Mental Edge: Shaun Goodsell's concepts are top notch and have proven themselves over time.
3.  CrossFitTC: Great location and great people for facilities
4.  Inov8: Leading edge barefoot technology in footwear
5.  MIchelle Mix:  Nutrition and lifestyle information that is changing people's lives
6.  MobilityWOD:  The best do-it-yourself mobility and flexibility site on the web.
7.  Five Star Basketball:  World renowned teaching and skills development for basketball
8.  Impact Lives: Ramon Pastrano's Leadership and Social Innovation programs for athletes.

Our Company History and Background

The following information is an overview of our company and our training methods since its inception in 2001.

1. History of the Company
2. Staff 
3. Training Methods 
4. Client List 
5. References

Facilities Used for Training:

CrossFitTC
6493 Sycamore Ave North
Maple Grove, MN 55369

University of St Thomas
2115 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105


Phone: 612-741-0982

Six Dimensions of Training

Over the years, we have strived to develop a complete and comprehensive philosophy on how to develop elite performance in youth athletes.  Through many years of trial and error, as well as research,  we have landed on a some foundational concepts.  The six concepts or dimensions of training guide each decision we make, every day.

The 6 Dimensions are as follows:
1.  Training: The ability to develop all aspects of the athlete based on the individual and their sport.
2.  Sports Medicine: The understanding of current injuries, potential injuries, and how to develop programs that account for both areas.
3.  Sport Psychology: We attempt to teach our athletes "How To Think," rather than "Just Do It" because that is what we are doing. 
4.  Sport Nutrition
5.  Recovery
6.  Technology: Use of external devices to enhance the training effect. i.e. use of bands to mobilize and stretch on your own.

Then test the results, train, and test the results again.  We track performance with the following companies

1.  Spine and Sports Institute's Athlete Functional Testing:  We document current strengths and weaknesses within each athlete and prescribe the training to match your specific situation.
2.  Nike Sparq Ratings: Allows you to see how you stack up with athletes within your team, as well as, all over the nation.

For more information, contact us at 612-741-0982.

Training We Offer

At the McCarthy Project, we offer the following services:

1.  Individual Training
2.  Team Training
3.  Public Speaking

For more information, contact us at 612-741-0982

Five Star Coaches Clinic

I just returned from Springfield, MA from the Five Stare Basketball Coaches Clinic. The clinic was held at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. It was a great day for the basketball junkie side of my life.  I sat a listened for 8 hours in one day about the diamond press, special plays, conditioning and connection with players.  Here are couple pictures from the trip. Enjoy.

Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame

Mitch Buonaguro from Siena College on Specialty Plays

Springfield College "The Birthplace of Basketball"

Statue commemorating James Naismith on Springfield's campus

The Hidden Truth of Success

I connected with an old friend this week.  Shaun Goodsell of Mental Edge.  He has been working with youth athletes for over 14 years.  He has a great new video that will assist athletes on the road of figuring out that how to develop the proper mindset to create success.

We have all seen the guy who walks into the gym who is the biggest, baddest looking guy in town, but always injured or quits when things get a little tough from him.  Well, the solution is right between his ears.

Check out Shaun's website and his new video called Staying in The Sports Zone.  It is well worth the small investment.

Personal Note: I have personally worked with Shaun over the years. He has spent countless hours working with me to change how my mind works.  You will not find a better person to walk through life in good times and when life throws you a curve ball.