Growth Spurt or Strength Deficit? Why Young Athletes Lose Coordination

Have you ever watched your child run, jump, or change direction and thought:

“They suddenly seem awkward.”

For many young athletes, this is completely normal.

During periods of rapid growth, athletes often experience what coaches sometimes call the “Bambi Effect.” Their arms and legs seem longer overnight, their center of gravity changes, and it can take time for their brain and body to learn how to control these new dimensions.

But growth isn’t always the whole story.

Sometimes what appears to be “gangliness” or poor coordination may actually be the result of underlying strength or stability weaknesses that affect how an athlete moves.

The challenge is determining which one you’re seeing.

Growth Spurts vs. Strength Deficits

When an athlete goes through a growth spurt, temporary decreases in coordination are common. Their body is changing rapidly, and they simply need time and practice to adapt.

However, if an athlete consistently struggles with balance, stability, landing mechanics, or changing direction, we begin looking deeper.

This is one of the primary goals of our Youth Athletic Development assessment and ongoing coaching process.

We’re not just evaluating how an athlete moves today. We’re trying to understand why they move the way they do.

Common Areas That Can Affect Athletic Movement

Core Strength

The core serves as the bridge between the lower and upper body.

A strong core helps athletes transfer force efficiently when running, jumping, throwing, and changing direction. It also helps maintain posture and control during movement.

When core strength is lacking, athletes may appear less coordinated, less stable, or have difficulty controlling their body during athletic movements.

Hip Stability and Glute Strength

The glutes and lateral hip muscles play a critical role in stabilizing the pelvis and controlling knee position.

Weakness in these muscles can contribute to:

• Knees collapsing inward during landing
• Poor balance during cutting and direction changes
• Reduced power production
• Less efficient running mechanics

When we see movement patterns like these, we compare them against assessment findings to determine whether hip strength may be a limiting factor.

Foot and Arch Strength

Many people assume their feet naturally function well.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

The muscles that support the arch of the foot help create a stable foundation for movement. If the foot collapses excessively, it can create instability that travels up the chain into the ankle, knee, and hip.

Simple exercises such as balance drills, foot activation work, and ankle-strengthening exercises can often help improve foot function and stability.

Adductor (Inner Thigh) Strength

The adductors are often overlooked but play an important role in athletic performance.

These muscles contribute to:

• Deceleration
• Change of direction
• Sprinting mechanics
• Hip stability

Weakness here can affect an athlete’s ability to control movement efficiently, especially during high-speed athletic actions.

Why Movement Quality Matters

Strong core muscles, stable hips, resilient feet, and well-developed adductors all contribute to better movement patterns.

When athletes move well, they are typically able to:

• Run faster
• Jump higher
• Change direction more efficiently
• Move with greater confidence
• Perform their sport more effectively

Just as importantly, improved strength and movement quality can help build resilience against injury.

Assessment Is Just the Beginning

Our assessment process provides valuable information, but it isn’t the end of the evaluation.

Every training session gives us additional insight into how an athlete moves, responds to challenges, and develops over time.

Our coaches are continually observing movement patterns, identifying potential limitations, and adjusting training to help athletes build strength, coordination, and confidence.

Because sometimes an athlete simply needs time to grow into their new body.

And sometimes they need a targeted plan to address weaknesses that may be holding them back.

The key is understanding the difference.

As you consider how your athlete spends their off-season—particularly during the summer months—remember that developing strength, coordination, and movement quality can pay dividends not only in performance, but in long-term athletic development as well.

Want to Learn More?

Check out these related articles:

• Is Strength Training Safe for Kids?
• Is Hamstring Flexibility Limiting Your Speed?
• How Proper Foot Strike Improves Sprinting
• Move Like and Athlete: Fast Arms, Fast Legs
• Single-Leg Jump Progressions for Athletes: Improve Knee Stability, Prevent ACL Injuries & Build Explosive Power

Interested in Our Summer Athletic Development Program?

Our Summer ADP is designed for athletes aged 8-18 who want to improve their strength, speed, movement quality, and overall athleticism.

Programs are available in flexible 4-week and 6-week options throughout the summer.

Follow us on social media, give us a call with any questions, or register today through the link below.

Contact Performance Institute today to learn more about our Summer Athletic Development Program or click here to register.

Email or call us at 604-291-9941 or share this article with someone you care about to learn more about all our programs. We work with clients as young as 8 and as “young” as 80+!