Why Middle School Athletes Shouldn’t Wait to Learn Proper Testing Techniques
- Laura Baden
- May 5
- 2 min read
Setting the Foundation for Confidence, Performance, and Longevity
When most people think of combines or athletic testing, they picture high school athletes fighting for scholarships or trying to impress scouts. But in reality, the habits that fuel standout performances are built long before recruiting season begins.
That’s why at Earn the Edge Performance, we’re passionate about introducing middle school athletes (ages 11–13) to testing techniques and performance prep early. Not because we’re chasing stats—but because we’re building confidence, competence, and proper movement mechanics from the ground up.
Early Exposure Builds Better Athletes—And Safer Ones
Too often, young athletes are thrown into testing situations in high school with little to no instruction. They end up guessing how to run a 5-10-5 shuttle or power through a vertical jump. Poor form doesn’t just lead to poor results—it can also increase injury risk.
By teaching middle school athletes the how and why behind key performance tests, we:
Help them move with purpose and intention
Reinforce proper biomechanics that translate across all sports
Eliminate fear or anxiety around “being tested”
Create a smoother learning curve for future high school testing
Confidence Comes from Competency
When a young athlete understands how to approach each drill, they feel in control, and that’s a game-changer. Instead of walking into a combine nervous and overwhelmed, they show up prepared, focused, and ready to compete with joy—not fear.
That’s especially important at this age, when confidence is still forming and comparison to others can feel intimidating. Our job is to create a safe, empowering environment that teaches them how to win the small moments: good footwork, explosive starts, clean change of direction, efficient breathing. These are all skills they can master now.
A Lifelong Investment in Movement Literacy
We’re not here to rush athletic development—we’re here to lay a foundation that supports athletes for years to come. Teaching testing techniques early is like giving them a playbook for how to move well, recover well, and eventually, perform well when the spotlight’s on.
If your middle schooler is passionate about sports—or even just getting started—introducing them to proper testing form is one of the best gifts you can give them. Not because they need to compete early, but because they deserve to train smart, move confidently, and build resilience from the very beginning.
Want to Give Your Athlete a Head Start?
Join us for Day 1 of the Earn the Edge Performance Combine (June 18th at Peterswood Park), where we’ll break down the drills, coach proper form, and give athletes ages 11–13 the tools to move with purpose. It's not about the numbers—it's about building the athlete behind them.
Let’s build the future of our athletes, one confident mover at a time.
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