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Weight lifting certainly has its benefits, but kids shouldn't be lifting in middle school. I believe it's a little too much. Kids shouldn't be worried about hitting the weights at that age. However, for high school programs, I think weightlifting is great. It not only can help to make you stronger, it can also help to make you quicker (if you do Plyos) and help to build to team unity and discipline.

HOWEVER, weightlifting does not nearly make as big as a difference as practice makes in my mind. Weightlifting can help mold a player into someone who is strong and disciplined, but it does not make athlete. Athletes are born not built in my opinion, and from that point, it is a matter of harnessing this athleticism in practice through drills, watching film, etc. But, that is just my opinion, and it's fine if others disagree.

Well put! Sounds like you know a bit about coaching and the importance of fundamentals. Believe you me, others will disagree.