weight training competitions

Coach,

I think this can be very successful at your school. You can also use this as a mentoring tool that will make your job easier. Since you said an upperclassman will lead the group, ensure that he knows your philosophies inside and out as well as proper technique in all the lifts. Your leaders can "teach" to the younger guys and get them on the same page with the what, how and why and they will also learn the techniques that you teach. This develops great leadership skills, of course, but it gives the upperclassmen a bigger responsibility and they will be more likely to take ownership in their group. It also teaches the younger guys about being a leader and gives them something to strive for when they become juniors or seniors. Better yet, it allows you to be more mobile and gets you around the weightroom to observe and educate more athletes and students.

As for numbers, I have found that groups of 3 or 4 works very good in terms of rest intervals, plate loading/unloading, etc. Too many in a group and they may start horseplaying b/w sets when they should be spotting, coaching and encouraging their teammate.

Let me know how this goes, I am very interested in what you are doing.

Good luck,

Jimbo