In part one of this post we discussed the possibility of Coaching Without Periodisation.
In part two we will look at an alternate way of working with athletes and helping each individual you coach to realise their full potential and achieve their training and performance goals.
Seems like every coach has a video, a camera, a DVD player and some analysis software these days.
Coaches spend more time behind a desk, staring at replays and performance analysis data than they do actually working and communicating with athletes and staff!
Modern analysis techniques and equipment have given us the luxury of detail- the ability to evaluate, measure and analyse performance in far greater depth than ever before.
Most analysis techniques used in elite sport evolved from research methods used in the academic world, where a wide range of analysis tools are used to systematically investigate technique, movement, skills, decision making etc as part of a the study behind a journal article, research project or thesis.
The problem with all this analysis is that analysis, by its nature is destructive. Analysis breaks down performances, techniques, skills etc into component parts or measurable events. It looks to identify what went wrong with an athlete or team and what problems, faults and mistakes led to a poor performance.
The world needs more coaches. Good coaches. Passionate coaches. Committed coaches. Innovative coaches.
Coaches.
Coaches are the driving force of change in sport and every sport needs more great coaches.
Many nations – including the UK, Canada, South Africa, France and Australia are investing in coach education, coach development, coach mentoring, coach accreditation and coaching the coaches programs.
And – as usual – instead of inventing new, exciting, innovative, creative and more importantly effective ways of educating and developing the next generation of coaches, everyone is following trends, fads and the old tried and trusted training techniques – many of which have failed over and over again all over the world.
Here are ten really dumb things we do and call it Coach Education.
It was not all that long ago when the words “strength training” and “gymnasium” conjured up images of muscle hulks and Arnold Schwarzenegger – that is before he become the Governator!
However, in recent years, strength and conditioning has gained acceptance as an applied sports science and is respected as a profession in its own right in many high performance sporting systems around the world. It has become a fundamental and integral aspect of the training and preparation of elite athletes in a wide range of sports.
This article will cover some of the contemporary issues in strength training for high performance sport and suggest some practical applications for the practicing coach.
The basic issues: Strength training or no strength training?
Fifty tips for parents of young athletes, to help them get the most out of their chosen sport.
The greatest challenge sport has ever faced in upon us.
It affects coaches.
It affects teachers.
It affects sports scientists and sports medicine practitioners.
It affects sports administrators, managers and sporting organisation Board members.
It affects the parents, carers and partners of athletes.
Are you up to the challenge?
Coach education is at the crossroads.
One thing is for certain, the way we have trained, educated and developed sports coaches in the past is not working. It has failed.
Let’s talk about a new approach in Coach Training, Education and Development: A Client Focused Approach.
Let’s talk about CoachT.E.D. (pronounced Coached): Coach Training, Education and Development.
And most importantly, let’s talk about training, educating and developing more coaches and better coaches: coaches who can provide every person involved in sport with the environment and the opportunity to develop a passion for sport, a life long love of physical fitness and activity and the chance to choose a path to realise their potential as athletes and human beings.
In part one of this article we looked at different types of Sporting Parents.
Here are a few more……see if you recognise anyone you know.
There was a time when a new head was the solution to all problems in a high performance sports team.
Team not winning – get a new head coach.
Team’s culture not right – get a new head coach.
Team’s attitude and commitment flagging – get a new head coach.
Times have changed.
A new head coach is no longer the solution in high performance sport.
Talent Identification – the way we currently do it – doesn’t work.
Here are some things that do and some ideas on how to do it better.
Remember this:
So what’s this got to do with why Talent ID programs in the Western world are dismal failures?
Boards can be the greatest asset to a Sporting Organisation….they can also be the biggest liability.
Lots of articles and books describe what a Board member is supposed to do from a statutory, legislative perspective but in general that’s not the problem.
The biggest problem in sporting Boards stems from Board members trying to influence the operational side of the Club.
Read this to learn why people often become Bored with Boards……….
