I was inspired to develop a system by my early mentors. It was easy to see, even at the beginning of my coaching career, that coaches that were successful had a clearly defined system. So over the course of my career I have evolved a system that has worked for me in a variety of sport disciplines at all levels of sport from the developmental level to the elite. The system is general and eclectic therefore it is very adaptable to any sport discipline and rehabilitation environment.
The basis of the system is the foundational principles that I use to guide the design and implementation of the training programs. The principles are derived from my interpretation of sports science research, sound pedagogy, observation and analysis of other systems and my coaching experiences.The system is general and eclectic therefore it is very adaptable to any sport discipline and rehabilitation environment. I label it the Gambetta method not be egotistical or to stake some ideological high ground, but simply because it is a system that has worked for me. It is mine but because it is principle based it will work for anyone who invests the time to learn and apply the principles.
Over the next several weeks I will explain the principles and how I apply them in my system. They are all directed toward the development of the complete athlete so that at the end of the journey all physical limitations are eradicated and the athlete is ready technically, tactically, physically and psychologically to compete to win in the competitive arena. It is a process that takes time and coaching.
The principles are:
Train movements not muscles
Dynamic postural alignment and dynamic balance are the foundation for all training
Train fundamental movement skills before sport specific skills
Train core strength before extremity strength
Train body weight before external resistance
Train joint integrity before joint mobility
Train strength before strength endurance, power before power endurance
Train speed before speed endurance
Train Sport Appropriate – You Are What You Train To Be
Train to build work capacity appropriate for your sport or event
Tomorrow I will explain the concept and application of first principle – Train Movements not muscles.