It seems there is a lot of lip service given to the concept of optimizing training, but what does it mean? It certainly is not writing the weight workout on a white board or posting the track workout on a bulletin board. I do know (learned it the hard way) that each individual athlete is unique – essentially a case study of one. So why do we persist in prescribing generic programs that assume one size fits all? I know it is difficult to design and write an individual program when you have large numbers, but individual needs can be met. You can group athletes by needs, you can assign training partners to address individual needs. There are many ways and it can be done. Generic programs are not optimizing training; all athletes are not the same. Don’t be a supervisor, be a coach. It takes time, detailed planning and effort, but it can be done.
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Darren Beattie
Or my own personal favourite is build out programs around qualities you want to enhance, group athletes together then meet individual needs with a group movement screen and specific warm-ups, cool-downs and supplementary work based upon assessments.