Coaching is teaching, the key to good teaching is communication and the key to communication is not more talking, it is more listening. Good coaches listen more and talk less. Then they act (not react) on what they hear.
Nothing ever happens in a vacuum. Everything is related. This is certainly true of the body as a kinetic chain and with the interdependence of the various systems of the body and also true of sports and movement skill. [Read more…]
The body is a link system; this link system is referred to as the kinetic chain. Functional training is all about linkage – it is all about how all the parts of the chain work together in harmony to produce smooth efficient patterns of movement. Most conventional academic preparation in Exercise and Movement Science focuses on studying individual muscles based on classical anatomy. This is where the confusion begins as to what is functional movement. First of all we must remember that we do not function in the anatomical position. The anatomical position is static; it provides us with the perspective of mental convenience to arrange of all the individual muscles for ease of study and observation. In many respects learning about individual muscles is easier than learning about movements because it is simpler. In order to truly understand functional training we must get away from the focus on muscles and focus instead on movements. It is important to emphasize that the brain does not recognize individual muscles. It recognizes patterns of movement, which consist of the individual muscles working in harmony to produce movement the desired sport movement.
In over ground movement like running and jumping gravity is a major player. In order to completely understand function we must understand the role that gravity plays. The fact that we live, work and play in a gravitationally enriched environment cannot be denied. Gravity has minimal effect on the body in the anatomical position, but maximum effect on the body in movement. It helps us to load the system. Therefore we must learn to overcome its effects, cheat and even defeat it occasionally. Over reliance on machines for training will give us a false sense of security because they negate some of the effects of gravity. Gravity and its effect must be a prime consideration when designing and implementing a functional training program to prepare the body for the forces that it must overcome.
Always carefully look at he movement that you are trying to enhance. What are the forces involved? What is the dominant plane of motion? Movement occurs in all three planes of motion simultaneously: Sagittal, frontal, and transverse. Therefore it is important to train movement in all three planes. It is imperative to understand the movements and then design the training program accordingly. How does that muscle fit in as a link in the whole kinetic chain?
If it is to be it is to be, it’s up to WE.
Success is not about me, it is about we, it is about collaboration, working together with other people to achieve a shared goal. You can’t do it alone. You need a support team. [Read more…]
It’s easy to feel confident when you have a Highlight-reel coaching resume’. But any self made coach will tell you that it’s not WHAT your done, but HOW you did it that matters most.
Many coaches may not have common personality traits, but they do share a small set of similar psychological characteristics. I believe there are 3 common characteristics shared by the successful coaches. (I am sure there are more than 3 but if I wrote them all now, there would be nothing for me to write about another day!). [Read more…]
I just finished a book that is a must for every coach’s library, Practice Perfect – 42 Rules for Getting Better at Getting Better by Doug Lemov, Erica, Woolway and Katie Yezi.
It is a very good blend of the science behind practice and the author’s practical experience. Obviously the cornerstone for effective athlete development is practice, but too often it is just about putting in the time. Now with the 10,000 hour figure looming out there everyone is even more concerned with putting in the time (Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell). It is not the time in practice, it what you put into the time. Practice must be deliberate, focused and connected to the desired end result – performance in competition.
In an article in the January 19 New York Times on 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman says it quite well: “ Every game is different, No matter how you look at it, you have to pay homage to the football gods every week in practice, in meetings, in your preparation. Then you have to go out and perform on game day.”
What are you doing in practice?
Do you know why?
Are the practices appropriate for the people you are coaching?
Are you paying homage to the gods of gymnastics?
Read Practice Perfect for answers to these questions and many more to help your athletes be better at getting better.
In this book, the authors engage the dream of better, both in fields and endeavors where participants know they should practice and also in those where many do not yet recognize the transformative power of practice. And it’s not just whether you practice. How you practice may be a true competitive advantage. Deliberately engineered and designed practice can revolutionize our most important endeavors. The clear set of rules presented in Practice Perfect will make us better in virtually every performance of life. The “how-to” rules of practice cover such topics as rethinking practice, modeling excellent practice, using feedback, creating a culture of practice, making new skills stick, and hiring for practice. Discover new ways to think about practice. Learn how to design successful practice. Apply practice across a wide range of realms, both personal and professional
Typically your level 4 team is your youngest competitive group in the gym. Over the course of the year, this group will spend about 400 hours in the gym on their gymnastics education. Your Level 10s may spend about 1300 hours in the gym on their gymnastics education.
How much time are you spending on YOUR gymnastics education? [Read more…]
In order to come up with a PLAN for your workouts and practices, each gymnasts should really take the time to answer these questions. [Read more…]
The other day I was able to step out of the gym and take a look as the Level 9s and 10s trained. It reminded of how important it is to learn how to train. It also reminded what a big step this is in the development of the athlete. The group ranged from first year Level 9s to some 10s who have competed at Nationals a number of times. The contrast in the workout was amazing to watch. Everyone did the workout. [Read more…]
I know I am a little late for Valentines day but who really needs a reason or a special holiday for chocolate.
Healthified Freezy Chocolate-Banana Shake
Directions
Step1 In a blender, combine milk, yogurt, frozen banana, cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla. Cover and blend until smooth and frothy.
*Note: To freeze banana,
peel and slice banana. Place banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap. Freeze about 1 hour or until firm.
80% less sat fat • 100% more fiber than the original recipe. Tastes like a chocolate-dipped banana—plus it’s an excellent source of calcium. Now that’s healthified heaven!
Healthified Decadent Hot Chocolate
Directions
Step1 In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cocoa. Stir in milk and half-and-half until blended. Cook and stir over medium heat until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Remove from heat.
Step2 Add chocolate chips; stir constantly with wire whisk until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in vanilla. To serve, pour hot chocolate into 4 cups.
50% fewer calories • 77% less fat • 20% more calcium than the original recipe. When it’s cool out, warm up with a cup of hot chocolaty goodness. You won’t believe it’s better for you!
Recently, I attended a rock concert by The Who. In the middle of one of their classic songs, “Teenage Wasteland,” (Baba O’Riely) lead singer Roger Daltry, stopped singing, stepped back from the front of the stage and looked around the arena in amazement. Everyone in the standing-room-only audience of was singing, standing, swaying, and singing the song together. All were lost in the moment, thinking of nothing but the present . . . [Read more…]
