The individual session is the core element of training. It is how coaches deliver their programs, build athletes, and connect with people. On this week’s GAINcast we look in detail about how we can rethink and improve upon training session and microcycle design.
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Coaches love to talk about the value of process, but what exactly is that? Process is often shrouded in vague explanations and misleading concepts. On this week’s GAINcast we dive into process, what it is, what it isn’t, and why it is so crucial to coaching success.
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The best sports scientists bridge the gap between theory and practice. They bring coaching experience to the table and help help solve the real problems athletes are facing. This describes Esa Peltola. His diverse experiences in coaching, physiology, talent identification, and sports science helped him drive athletes to the next level, including coaching the first Australian to break 10 seconds in the 100 meters. On this week’s GAINcast he shares his journey.
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As we enter the final month in the year, it’s a good time to look back and share some of our recent thoughts about training and coaching. On this week’s GAINcast we cover a wide variety of topics including coaching and athlete specialization, finding a process, tips on organization, athleticism, sprint technique, and more.
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The site theme in April was coaching excellence. We looked in detail at what separates the good from the great coaches, and how coaches can move from one level to the next. Below we have links to all our new and archived content on the topic, including 9 new articles and 2 new podcasts.
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Everyone is looking for the secret formula for success. The funny thing is, it might just be one word: why. In Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
This month’s topic on HMMRMedia is the individualization of training. The one size fits all model is a thing of the past; both scientific research and hard won experience have shown the need to individualize training. But many coaches still struggle to figure out how to start with individualization. Read more
When I was in Minnesota last month I had a chance to share a beer with former Pan American Games hammer throw champ Jim Driscoll for a great discussion on training and coaching philosophies. At one point the conversation turned to how we can improve our coaching and he mentioned that he recently invited an experienced coaching colleague come and watch him coach. His colleague sat quietly on the side throughout the sessions. After his athletes had left the sat down to discuss what his colleague had observed and where he could improve his coaching and communication. It was a simple and effective idea, but it was the first coach I have ever heard to have implemented this approach. Read more
Every composer starts with the same notes. Every author starts with the same alphabet. All artists start with the same palette of basic colors. Then why aren’t there more Beethoven’s, Hemingway’s and Rembrandt’s? The answer is genius and the creative process. Coaching is similar; at the heart of coaching is the creative process. The coach is no different than the composer or the artist. The coach’s palette is the human body expressed through movement. Graham, Wallis described the four stages of the creative process. The steps in this process are easily adapted to the coaching environment. It is important to remember that this is not a linear process. Read more
I spend a lot of time with friends who are coaches. Invariably the topic turns to today’s athletes, and to one question: “Are they different?” Read more
