Some Random Thoughts on Sports, Coaching and Life

Advice from best selling author David Baldacci:

“Don’t write what you know about, write what you’d like to know about. And never chase trends. Don’t write about dinosaurs because Crichton did, or codes because Brown did. Write something you’re passionate about and want to learn more about. Have fun with it. Don’t treat it as a job. Exercise your imagination, treat it like a game.”
-David Baldacci

This prompted my thoughts: Don’t always practice and focus on what you are good at, take a chance and practice what you are not good at. Approach it with passion. Accept the fact that you may not get it the first time. Be uncomfortable, use those mistakes to learn. Use your imagination and visualize how much better you will be when you master it.

On Injuries in the developing athlete: Rather than look for blame, look for cause. In my experience the majority of injuries at the High School and youth level can be traced directly to poor fundamental movement skills. It is fundamental movement skills AKA Physical Competencies that underlie sport skill. We basically are putting the cart before the horse. The second factor is improper progression. The same programs are imposed on the freshman and the senior without any regard for Physical maturation, cognitive and emotional development. Third major factor is early specialization.

Your philosophy is your voice – It speaks louder than any words!

On the coaching of Brother Colm coach to Olympic 800 meter champion David Rudisha:

“If Rudisha was trained by a system to be a perfect athlete, it might destroy him,” he said. “If you get a supercoach, they only look at a blueprint—a product. Brother Colm goes to the roots. He understands people, where they come from.”
-Brother Colm

My take home message from this and what makes Brother Colm so successful is that he coaches the person not the event.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
-Victor Frankel

Think possibilities. Focus on what you can do. Accentuate your strength and minimize the weaknesses.