With so many coaching ideas available online, it can be difficult to determine what to use and where to fit in it. On this week’s episode we discuss how to evaluate training methods, how much of a stimulus you need, and ideas for where (and if) to fit it into the plan. Read more
We all know that hammer throwers are a bit different, but the event itself also stands out among track and field disciplines in several manners that you might not realize. First off it requires a unique combination of physical characteristics such as speed, strength, power, coordination, and agility. However more importantly the way the sport is set up makes it different. These differences can also have an large impact on how you approach training and technique. Below are three ways the hammer throw really stands out and some initial thoughts on how that could affect training. Read more
A history of training methods for team sports is essentially a history of adapting individual sports methods to the team environment. We frequently get asked how the methods of Dr. Anatoliy Bondrachuk could be adapted from track and field to team sports. To tackle this question we invited Derek Evely back on the show to exchange some ideas. Read more
Over the last dozen years Dan Noble has helped transform the Hill Academy from a brand new school to one of the top performing high schools in North America. How has he done it? By forging his own path and rethinking what has always been done in sports like hockey, football, and lacrosse. On this episode of the podcast he joins us to discuss what made him rethink his philosophy, how he went about integrating ideas from Frans Bosch and Vern Gambetta, and what he does to get the most from training through better organization. Read more
No coach at any level ranging from youth to professional ever wants to admit that he failed. However, in order to grow and get better I feel it is necessary. Over the past number of years at Notre Dame High School we have created a reputation of producing throwers year in and year out regardless of the talent we have inherited. It is our expectation that multiple shot putters will make the CIF finals, some will move onto Masters meet, and at least one will qualify for the state meet. And we meet that expectation. Recently we have had four years with at least four throwers over 50’10” in the same season. One season we even had six throwers over that mark. On the woman’s side we have had two girls over 49 feet in the shot as recently as two years ago. We have also had as many of 4 of the top 9 in the CIF finals and 3 of the top 12 in the Masters meet. Read more
Is more better? More miles, more tons, and more training sessions. Certainly, more can be better at various stages of a career, but and that is a very big but, you can quickly reach the point of diminishing returns. Now what? Then you are signing that old blues song the more better blues. Read more
What you do in training, the exercises are no more than just stuff unless you know WHY you do what you do. It is easy to go to these so called “summits” and come away with more stuff but all the stuff comes up short because there is little underpinning of why. To make training transfer to performance demands a deep investment in WHY to give the WHAT meaning, purpose and direction. Read more
In my presentation at GAIN 2017 last week, I went on a tangent to talk about cutlery. Like most people, I’m attracted to sharp and shiny things, but the reason I brought up knives is that the provide a great analogy for exercise selection. Read more
Earlier this week we looked at why runners need to lift. Now that you understand the why, let’s look at what kind of strength training provides the specific neuromuscular and physiological benefits we discussed above. To review, there are three purposes to lifting:
At North Shore Country Day School students range from age 4 to 18. As athletic director, Patrick McHugh has had a chance to put in place a truly long-term athletic development process. The key word there is process: long-term development is not a model, but a process that is never linear. On this episode he talked about his philosophy and more. Read more
