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Strength training has become an integral part of preparing for and participating in sports. Strength is one of the four components of athleticism, along with power, speed, and agility. Optimal strength training and conditioning workouts are best directed by a coach with formal training in this discipline. Unfortunately, many high school and some college programs do not have access to certified strength and conditioning coaches. This task often falls to the individual sport coaches and medical staff (athletic trainers and physicians). In this article we present a framework for practical strength training knowledge including the concepts of specificity, prioritization, periodization, and progressive overload. We also discuss concepts of the sports medicine team and its approach to training and conditioning. This framework will give physicians and other athletic heath care providers the basic information needed to design and implement a safe and effective strength training program.