Tag Archive for: Coach Education

Martin Bingisser

Peer-to-Peer Coaches Education

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A Swiss hammer coach recently told me of an experience he had while visiting a German throwing conference years ago. At the conference there was a debate about the proper terminology to use when teaching technique. One coach preferred one phrase, his rival another. All the while the lead coach insisted: “We all have to be on the same page!” But do we? The Swiss coach pointed out that our country functions with four official languages, and is perhaps stronger because of it. One can argue that the language and cultural diversity makes us stronger. Read more

Martin Bingisser

Derek Evely on the Coaching Profession, Periodization, and More

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Back in February I was a guest on Robbie Bourke’s All Things Strength podcast and recently Robbie invited Derek Evely on to discuss a bit more about coaches development, training, and more. Read more

Martin Bingisser

Another Training Talk with Dan Pfaff (Part 2)

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On Tuesday we published the first part of our training talk with the extraordinary coach Dan Pfaff. Dan has been enjoying a successful summer as head coach at Altis. To start out our interview we discussed in-season training methods and his 3-day rollover plan. In this final part of the interview we take a step back to discuss his training philosophy and how he takes that to create a plan. Read more

Vern Gambetta

USATF Coaching Education Program – 30 Year Later

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Yesterday when I working on two chapters for the new and revised Level One Coaching Manual to be published by Human Kinetics I realized that thirty years ago this past week was when we had out first instructor training school and curriculum development meeting. We gathered at Cal State University, Long Beach. Ron Buss was the women’s track coach there and he graciously took care of all the facilities and organization. There were around fifty of us (Somehow the records have been lost as to the exact number – another story for another time). It was an amazing week! Each aspect of the level one curriculum was presented and critiqued and revised onsite. The last two days we had essentially our first level two for those instructors, it was very high level presented by coaches like Ken Foreman from Seattle Pacific and top sport science people. The highlight of that segment was Dr Joe Vigil then of Adams State talking for three hours on the most intricate details of exercise physiology with no notes. It was vintage Joe Vigil. Read more

Vern Gambetta

USA Track & Field Coaching Education – An Overview (Part Three)

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This is Part Three of the original article that appeared in the IAAF Technical Journal that was published under the title “Coaches Education – a perspective,” New Studies In Athletics, Vol. 6 # 4,1991, pp. 7-11

Can you teach someone to coach? Coaching is definitely an art. It is a feel for saying and doing the right thing at the right time. I question if this can be taught. On the other hand the technical aspects can be taught and coaching skills can be improved in this manner. Communication skills, leadership skills, and psychological skills all can be enhanced through education. All of this is dependent on the desire of the coach to want to be better. Just because a coach attends a course and passes a test is no guarantee of that individual’s ability to coach. This is another reason that the focus should be on education rather certification. Read more

Vern Gambetta

USA Track & Field Coaching Education – An Overview (Part Two)

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Part Two of the article that appeared in the IAAF Technical Journal it was published under the title “Coaches Education – a perspective,” New Studies In Athletics, Vol. 6 # 4,1991, pp. 7-11
The curriculum is composed of two basic components: sport science and event specific. The goal in each area was to teach fundamental principles that the coaches could immediately apply. It was designed so that coach with little or no background in sport science or coaching could understand the material. Evaluation at level I consisted of a multiple choice, open book, take home exam. Read more

Vern Gambetta

USA Track & Field Coaching Education – An Overview (Part One)

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A couple of weeks ago when going through some old computer files I came across an article I wrote on the USA Track & Field (Then known as TAC) Coaching Education program. This weekend I will be going to the USOTC in Chula Vista for some planning meetings on the coaching education program. As I have gotten back involved over the last eighteen months I have become increasingly aware of how few people know the history and origins of the program. The programs started with a meeting at the 1981 TAC Convention in Reno. A group of us felt that we needed to start a coaching education program. Read more