One of our longest-running partnerships has been with Florida Kraze Krush (FKK), a youth soccer club we’ve worked with since 2008. Over these 17 years, FKK has grown into a top-tier club, competing at nearly every level from ages 5 to 18. From the beginning, FKK’s focus has been on developing well-rounded players, a mission driven by Director Hue Menzies. His vision emphasized work ethic, mental and physical strength, academics, and teamwork—preparing each player for the next level of competition.
Back in the early 2000s, performance training was well-established for professional teams and most colleges, but it was rarely part of youth sports. Hue’s approach was groundbreaking; he understood that true player development includes building physical strength, speed, and injury resilience. Together, we introduced one night of performance training as part of FKK’s programming—a huge deviation from the status quo in youth sports.
After a successful trial period, we transitioned to bringing the club’s elite teams from each age group into our Performance Center. Younger players focused on strength basics, movement patterns, and proper mechanics. As they progressed, their training grew in complexity, with older groups incorporating strength and power work. By the time these players reached their junior and senior years, they were doing the same foundational lifts and plyometrics they’d encounter in college programs, setting them up for a smoother transition.
For Menzies, this was about more than physical readiness; it was about instilling a mentality. The commitment to train in ways that aren’t always fun, like strength and conditioning, develops discipline. Playing soccer is fun, but the training required to excel goes beyond the field.
Our training schedule mirrors the structure of college programs: in the summer, high-level teams train three days a week, while during the season, they meet once weekly for maintenance and recovery. This consistency ensures that by the time these athletes head to college, they’re already familiar with the training expectations, making the transition less of a shock.
At SPECTRUM, our goal is to bring the professional training systems to youth athletes. This partnership with FKK is a major step toward that vision, overcoming challenges and pushing the boundaries of youth sports development.
