We are at the point in the season where many coaches have expressed their frustration to me. The season is almost over and things aren’t going the way they want it to. They feel they have put in the time, they have worked hard and still they fall short at competitions. With many of these coaches what I have seen is a failure to come up with a comprehensive plan OR failing to plan at all!
When I was a rookie coach I was told to practice the “6 P’s” Precise Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. It took me a few years to understand everything that must go into a plan and to this day I always feel that I am adding small categories of things that need to go into my plan. I am adamant that my plan must be written down. That way if something works- I don’t have to remember it! If something doesn’t work I have a reference to go back to.
Planning: the preparatory work the coach must do to structure training systematically in alignment with the themes and objectives of training and the athlete’s level of conditioning.
The process is the result of the experience of the coach coupled with applicable sport science concepts.
Jan Olbrecht, Belgian sport scientist, likens the training plan to a table of contents in a book. It should be comprehensive, covering all aspects of the athlete’s performance.
The training plan (Table of contents) should include:
- The competition – classified as to their relative importance
Crucial
Important
Developmental - The specific training goals
- The specific competitive goals
- A broad overview of the means and methods of training.
- A projection of the number of training sessions, as well as volume and intensity of the main training components.
- The dates of in gym tests and the actual test to be used. (Physical abilities, 1/2 routines, stuck dismount day, etc.)
- Non-training commitments (school holidays, vacations, Exams)
- Contingency Plans. EVERYONE needs a back up plan.
- Some related Posts
I also know that we will have a session on planning at Gym Momentum Training Camp.
