2025-2026 Blue Lightning Track Club Handbook

Please review and sign the Blue Lightning Track Club Handbook to ensure compliance with
all rules, guidelines, and requirements essential for maintaining Club Membership.

HB1-Club Handbook (#103)

ABOUT OUR TEAM 

The Blue Lightning Track Club (BLTC) competes in both AAU and USATF youth associations. BLTC is based in Conyers, GA, formed in 2014 and led by Coach Steve Strother, 4-time NCAA All-American, SEC Champion, 11-time All-SEC Sprinter at Auburn University, and New Rochelle, N.Y. Sports Hall of Famer. 

Coach Strother brings world-class coaching methods to youth athletes. He competed and trained under several world-class coaching systems, including 2-time Olympic Coach, Mel Rosen at Auburn University.

Coach Strother was recently profiled by Auburn University's School of Arts and Sciences as an alumni example of a student-athlete to student recruits around the world. 

"Thank you for choosing the Blue Lightning Track Club - Where Champions Are Made! 

We strive to create a positive, motivational, mentoring, and inclusive organization dedicated to helping youth to reach their potential. 

In addition to exposing youth to the exciting sport of track and field and the foundations of speed, strength, endurance, we focus on the value of sports for developing a good work ethic, sportsmanship, and healthy habits. We mentor young leaders to pay it forward on and off the playing field. 

BLUE LIGHTNING CHAMPIONS MANTRA

Head Coach Steve Strother has a positive approach to coaching and uses a Champions' Mantra with every athlete he coaches. He believes that when coaching an athlete, getting them to believe in their potential, and when reinforced by daily action, unlocks the combination to become a Champion.

The Champions Mantra is emphasized the entire season and focuses on empowerment and developing and unleashing their inner Champion on the track, in the classroom, and community. 

 "The Champion's Mantra approach - we motivate and build our Champions (athletes) up mentally and physically. We reinforce and instill confidence in each practice, activity, and communication. We believe in a no-negativity approach to our Champions and team, and that every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Champions on THREE, 1-2-3! 

Steve Strother, Head Coach

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COMPETITION AGE GROUPS

 

 

EVENTS COACHED AT THE BLUE LIGHTNING TRACK CLUB

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Hurdles
100
200
400
800
1500
3000
Relays

INDOOR EVENTS

Hurdles
60
200
400
800
1500
3000
Relays

OUTDOOR FIELD EVENTS

Long Jump
Triple Jump
High Jump
Shot Put
Javelin

INDOOR FIELD EVENTS

Long Jump
High Jump
Shot Put
Triple Jump

 


COACHES / COACHING / SPECIALTY COACHING

The head coach is the primary coach and assistant head coach (if one is designated) for the Blue Lightning Track Club to coach your Champion. Throughout the season, there will be background-screened and trained parent volunteers who will assist with coaching your Champion. Many youth coaches became coaches by first volunteering as parents.

Events Coached and Managing Expectations

There are 31 events in youth track and field. Youth, middle, and high school, and NCAA coaching staff below the Division 1 level are limited in coaching resources to cover all of the events. An exception to coaching for all events is available for the world and Olympic teams, which compete every four years. The limited coaching staff is especially apparent, from junior colleges down to the youth club level. Parent volunteers play an integral role in filling the void in youth sports.

Coaching Expertise

The Blue Lightning Track Club specializes in sprints, relays, middle distance (800-meters), jumps, and throws, and has qualified Champions to compete at the National Junior Olympics in the following events: 

  • Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump
  • Sprints - 100, 200, 400 meters
  • Middle Distance - 600, 800, 1000,1500, 3000 Meters
  • Relays - 4x100, 4x400, 4x200 (when available at meets)
  • Race Walk - 1500 / 3000 Meter Race Walk 
  • Indoor events: 55, 60, 150, 300, 600, 1000 meters

 

*Specialty event coaching for jumps, throws, and hurdles.

Specialty Coaching 

There may be additional coaches and specialists working with the Blue Lightning Track Club throughout the season to coach specific events upon request. If your Champion competes in an event currently not coached by the Blue Lightning Track Club, then an outside specialty coach could be secured. A specialist may require an additional fee determined by that specialist or coach. Note: The Specialty coach focuses on one aspect of coaching; the athlete still receives comprehensive coaching and training as outlined in this handbook.

Shared Rental Facility Fee

At Blue Lightning Track Club, we understand the importance of providing our athletes with the best training opportunities, even in challenging weather conditions. There may be practices that require training indoors during early nightfall and inclement weather days. In previous years, we have utilized indoor spaces such as a soccer complex and a baseball facility in Covington, both of which required a nominal shared rental fee of $10 per Champion. We believe in investing in our athletes' development, ensuring they have access to top-notch facilities and the chance to reach their full potential.

Team Uniform and Gear Guidelines

Only the official authorized Blue Lightning Track Club Uniform is permitted for track meets.

Track Bag

Each athlete should have a some type of track bag at every meet, consisting of track shoes, towel, and water bottle (filled with water). Consider purchasing a Blue Lightning Track Club backpack.

Shoes for training

For training, it is crucial to wear proper running shoes. Shoes designed for basketball, tennis, and soccer are inadequate for track and field athletes as they can lead to long-term harm to the feet, legs, and lower back. Designer athletic shoes are also unsuitable for track and field training, as they lack the necessary support, comfort, and flexibility. Recommended stores for purchasing shoes include Academy Sports, Dicks Sporting Goods, Hibbett, and Ross. Spikes are encouraged for all competitive events, unless the facility or event specifically prohibits them. The aforementioned stores can also be visited for spikes.s

Shoes for Competitive Events

Spikes are encouraged for all competitions unless otherwise noted or prohibited by the facility or event.

Stores: Academy Sports, Dicks Sporting Goods, Hibbett, Ross

Sweats and Other Athletic Wear

When it comes to attire, we recommend sweats (warm-ups) for all practices and t-shirt and shorts for the Summer months and hot weather. Other athletic wear options include tights, hoodies, wool hats, earmuffs, gloves, sports bras, and athletic supports. Remember to have a track bag at each meet, containing track shoes, towel, and water bottle (with water).

Backpack

 We also suggest considering the purchase of a Blue Lightning Track Club backpack to keep all of your athlete's meet gear together in one place.

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