Question 1

What age does my child need to be to join Lone Star TFC?

Accepted Answer

We train athletes ages 7–18. Our youngest athletes (7–11) focus on foundational movement, coordination, and sprint mechanics. Older athletes (12–18) progress into structured force production, velocity work, and competition preparation. There is no minimum experience level required — we assess every athlete individually before their first session.

Question 2

Does my child need prior track and field experience?

Accepted Answer

No. Many of our athletes come from other sports — football, basketball, soccer, baseball — and have never competed in a track meet. Our intake assessment identifies where your athlete is right now and builds from there. Prior experience is not a requirement; coachability and effort are.

Question 3

How do I get my child started?

Accepted Answer

Complete the athlete intake form on our Register page. The form collects basic information about your athlete — age, sport background, goals, and any injury history. Once we receive it, we'll reach out to schedule an initial assessment and walk you through the next steps.

Question 4

What is the intake assessment and what does it involve?

Accepted Answer

The Speed Science Diagnostic is a 90-minute force-velocity profiling session that tells us exactly how your athlete's body produces power. The results determine whether they need more speed-focused or strength-focused training — so every session targets the right adaptation. It's the required first step for all Speed & Performance athletes.

Specifically, we collect sprint data (10-meter and flying 10-meter times), jump data (standing long jump, vertical jump, reactive strength index), and movement observations. This tells us which of the seven athletic qualities is the athlete's limiting factor — and that determines the training block we assign them to.

Question 5

What exactly does Lone Star TFC train?

Accepted Answer

We train the seven physical qualities that drive athletic performance: Force Production, Plyometrics & Elasticity, Acceleration, Max Velocity, Deceleration, Agility & Change of Direction, and Speed Endurance. Every athlete is diagnosed and placed into a training block based on their limiting factor — not a generic program. The goal is to make your athlete faster, more powerful, and more durable in the specific way they need it most.

Question 6

How is this different from a regular track team or school PE?

Accepted Answer

School PE and most youth sports programs train fitness — they run kids, do drills, and build general conditioning. We train athletic qualities with intention. Every session has a specific purpose tied to a specific quality. We use force-velocity profiling, sprint mechanics analysis, and periodized programming to develop athletes the way elite programs do — just applied to youth athletes in Montgomery County.

Question 7

What does 'Train to a Number. Not a feeling.' mean?

Accepted Answer

Most youth training is feeling-based — a coach watches your athlete and says 'you need to be more explosive' or 'work on your drive phase.' That's a judgment call. It's subjective, inconsistent, and impossible to measure progress against.

We do it differently. Every Speed & Performance athlete starts with the Speed Science Diagnostic — a 90-minute force-velocity profiling session that tells us exactly how their body produces power. The results determine whether they need more speed-focused or strength-focused training, so every session targets the right adaptation. It's the starting point for all Speed & Performance athletes.

When we say 'Train to a Number,' we mean every session has a measurable target. Progress isn't 'they looked faster today' — it's whether the number moved at the next test. Your athlete leaves the diagnostic with a profile they own, and every training block is built to move that specific number in the right direction.

Question 8

What is the coach-to-athlete ratio?

Accepted Answer

We maintain a 1:8 coach-to-athlete ratio by design. That ratio is not a marketing number — it's a training requirement. At 1:8, every rep gets eyes on it. Technique is corrected in real time. Athletes build good habits instead of reinforcing bad ones. We cap group sizes to protect that ratio.

Question 9

Will this help my child in other sports, not just track?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and that's intentional. Speed, acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction are the physical foundation of every field and court sport. Football players improve their 40-yard dash and first-step quickness. Basketball players improve their lateral speed and vertical. Soccer players improve their sprint endurance and cutting mechanics. The qualities we train transfer directly to whatever sport your athlete competes in.

Question 10

Where do sessions take place?

Accepted Answer

We train at two facilities in the Conroe area. Strength and power sessions (Olympic lifting, plyometrics, loaded strength work) take place at Iron 24 Conroe, Monday through Thursday. Speed and track sessions (sprint mechanics, acceleration drills, track-based work) take place at Calfee Middle School on Saturdays. Both locations are in Conroe, TX.

Question 11

What seasons does Lone Star TFC compete in?

Accepted Answer

We run three competitive seasons aligned with the TAAF calendar. Spring Outdoor (Season 01) runs mid-January through mid-May for athletes ages 9–14. Summer Outdoor (Season 02) runs mid-April through early August for ages 7–18. Indoor (Season 03) runs November through January. Each season has its own training block structure and competition schedule.

Question 12

What is TAAF and how does it relate to Lone Star TFC?

Accepted Answer

TAAF stands for the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation. It is the governing body for youth track and field in Texas, organizing regional and state championships for athletes ages 7–18. Lone Star TFC competes under TAAF in Region 1, which covers the Greater Houston and Montgomery County area. TAAF competition is separate from school UIL athletics — athletes can participate in both.

Question 13

How many days per week does training require?

Accepted Answer

Training frequency depends on the season and the athlete's program. Most athletes train 3–4 days per week during peak season — a combination of strength sessions at Iron 24 and speed sessions at Calfee. We build the schedule around the seasonal training block so athletes are peaking at the right time for competition.

Question 14

How much does it cost to train with Lone Star TFC?

Accepted Answer

Pricing varies by season and program type. We offer seasonal memberships for athletes competing in TAAF, as well as punch card options for athletes who want speed and strength training without a full seasonal commitment. Full pricing details are available on the Track & Field seasons page and the Programs page. Complete the intake form and we'll walk you through the right option for your athlete.

Question 15

Are there any additional costs beyond the training fee?

Accepted Answer

TAAF athletes will need a TAAF membership registration (paid directly to TAAF) and may have meet entry fees for individual competitions. We'll communicate all competition costs in advance so there are no surprises. Training gear and spikes are not included but we can advise on what your athlete needs.

Question 16

Can my child train without competing in TAAF meets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer punch card training options for athletes who want the speed and strength development without a full competitive season commitment. These are popular with multi-sport athletes who are in-season with another sport and want to maintain or improve their athleticism without adding a full competition schedule.

Question 17

Is speed and strength training safe for young athletes?

Accepted Answer

Yes — when it's done correctly. The research is clear: properly supervised, age-appropriate strength and speed training is safe for youth athletes and actually reduces injury risk by building stronger tendons, ligaments, and movement patterns. The key words are 'properly supervised' and 'age-appropriate.' Our coaches are certified in youth athletic development and our programming is designed around the physical maturity of each age group.

Question 18

How do you track my child's progress?

Accepted Answer

Every athlete is re-tested on their baseline metrics at the end of each training block — the same sprint and jump tests from the initial assessment. We document the numbers, explain what changed, and communicate what the next block will address. Parents receive a clear picture of where their athlete started, where they are now, and what comes next. No guesswork.

Question 19

What if my child has a previous injury?

Accepted Answer

Disclose any injury history on the intake form. We take that information seriously and factor it into the assessment and training plan. We are not a physical therapy or medical provider — if an athlete has an active injury requiring medical clearance, we'll ask for that before they begin training. For athletes returning from injury, we build back progressively and communicate with parents throughout.

Questions Parents Ask Before They Register

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