Not Lost, Just Misguided

I have been pretty hard on what I have called the lost generation of strength
coaches. It is time to reveal the method to my madness. I wanted to call them
out. Wake them up so to speak, maybe a little tough love. I am not sure they
are lost as much as they are misguided. When most of these coaches came of age
and into the field of S&C, it was at the time there was a proliferation of
information and certifications. It also coincided with the emergence of the “online
experts” with no filter. How can you blame them? My goal heading into the new
decade is to help educate and direct this generation so that they can be more
effective in their jobs and lead innovation and change. I want to see them to have
better bullshit filters, and guide them to find mentors not gurus. We are at a
cross roads or some would say a tipping point in the strength and conditioning
field (I prefer Athletic Development – more on that in another post). It is a
field that is now being recognized; therefore there is increasing scrutiny.
This scrutiny demands professional standards and a consistent body of knowledge
based on sound training principles and best practice. I do not pretend to have
all the answers, in fact I have more questions than answers, but as a field we
must be more consistent and professional. Certification(s) are not enough. We
must work together to increase the body of knowledge and improve best practice. We must recognize that
coaching is not personal training. It demands a commitment and a focus the same
as the sport coaches we work with. I vow to help to guide this generation and
define this field to the best of my ability. I hope some of you out there with
similar experiences to mine will join me in this effort.