Author: Vernon Gambetta
Poetry in Motion
Every time I watch athletes move whether they are novices or elite I can’t help but marvel at the poetry of human motion. The body is so efficient and remarkable in it’s ability to solve complex movement problems. It just never ceases to surprise me, in many ways it is predictably unpredictable in it's ability to adapt. The body is not a machine constructed of interchangeable parts, it a kinetic chain consisting of interdependent links that work in harmony to reduce and produce force in reaction to gravity and the ground. In coaching to refine human motion we must stress connections, linkages, coordination and rhythm. This allow's the body to work it’s magic, produce the poetry of motion that allows it to self organize and solve complex movement problems. The human body has the remarkable ability to produce finely tuned movements that in the initial stages of learning appear uncoordinated and disjointed but through error detection and subsequent correction discard what does not work and refine and perfect what does work. So coaching is learning to guide, to direct and sometimes to stay out of the way and allow the wisdom of the body take over and be confident in our guidance.
Seeing the Game With Different Eyes
As an athletic development coach I watch a game or a competition quite differently. I am not a spectator or a fan, nor am I a sport coach who is concerned with tactics and strategy. Frankly my concern is the conditioning implications of tactics and strategy. I cannot afford to be a fan because that would detract from objectivity. I feel that watching a game of a team that I am working with as a conditioning coach makes me an active participant. I watch games or competitions to gather information and feedback to improve the athletes that I am working with. That is not to say that outcome is not important, because it is, that is the essence of competition and the ultimate measure in most peoples eyes. To insure consistent injury free performance it is essential to get beyond the outcome and see what I like to call the game within the game, the patterns and movements that occur that really make things happen. Those patterns and movements have direct conditioning implications that can be improved through a properly constructed program based on game analysis and observation. The sport coach watches the game to evaluate strategy, tactics and technique. The spectator watches as a fan. Both are outcome oriented. The conditioning coach watches to see the patterns, the moments, strength/power demands and the effect of fatigue. The conditioning coach is process oriented. We look for things we have been working on in training and see how they apply. The game or competition represents an opportunity to reinforce the positive aspects of training as well as to look for things to work on.
Level Of Expectation
I have long believed that you level of expectation determines your level of achievement. Set the bar high and do everything possible to prepare yourself to clear that bar. Prepare to clear it not once, but continually because once you break through you can do it again. Raise the bar and raise the level of expectation. As a coach, don’t coach to the least common denominator; bring everyone up to the standard of your most proficient athletes. Demand that of them and yourself. It so easy to give in and regress towards the mean where everybody average and everybody is comfortable. I don’t know about you but I cannot recall being around anyone who was successful in any walk of life but especially sport who was comfortable. If they got comfortable they stopped getting better, if they stopped getting better the opposition passed them by. Do something today that gets you and your athletes changing, growing, knowing learning, questioning. Find a way to keep clearing the bar and raising it. Live in a culture of high expectation and achieve, get in the peak performance zone and revel in the challenges that exist there. Don't wait, do it now. Strike while the iron is hot, get out there and start making yourself all those around you better. Raise the level of expectation.
Energy System Training
Despite all the fancy color-coded charts that coaches use to indicate the various energy systems it is virtually impossible to train and isolate an energy system. It is important to remember that the energy systems are intensity dependent, not time dependent. The body must produce ATP for muscle action to occur and ATP can be manufactured both through aerobic and anaerobic means. All the energy systems work together synergistically. They do not switch on and off based on the duration of the effort. Therefore think of a training emphasis, but stop deluding yourself by thinking energy systems. Intensity of the work determines the energetic demands, remember all systems of the body cardiovascular, neural, muscular, endocrine hormonal, and immune systems all work together to allow the body to meet the demands of training and competition. There are no switches that turn on or off, all systems coordinate and cooperate to solve the movement problems presented to the body. Achieving peak fitness relative to the activity you are training for depends on how efficiently you get all the systems working together. Get beyond energy systems and train the body for the rigors of the competition.
Get Past V02
In order to improve distance running performance it is necessary to think beyond the heart and lungs. There is more to it than that. It is a given to be a successful distance runner it is necessary to have a highly developed and efficient cardiovascular system as evidenced by a high max V02. Max V02 is only one piece of the puzzle. We now know that once a runner has trained their V02 to a high level there is little room for improvement. V02 maximum can only be improved to a certain level, after that the improvement and adaptation probably takes place in the active muscles. It is also relatively easy to maintain at that high level. Perhaps we need to focus more on the neural aspect of endurance performance. Running fast for prolonged periods of time demands a high level of coordination of all systems of the body. This should make us more aware of training the nervous system; it is the nervous system that is the command and control system of the body. The muscles are slaves of the brain and the heart is a muscle. Systematically train all systems of the body and the whole kinetic chain for optimum endurance performance.
Practice
I was raised in the practice makes perfect school of thought. Not long into my coaching career it became quite clear that practice did not make perfect, it made permanent. I quickly realized that whatever I practiced must be “right” or I would just be repeating errors. My train of thought evolved to the point where the goal became perfect practice so that what I made permanent would have a direct transfer to the competition. I was continually learning about the process needed to achieve “perfect practice.” The actionable word here is process. I learned that sharp focus on the process allowed me to take positive steps toward achieving perfect practice. My thinking evolved toward stressing quality practice instead of perfect practice since quality is a measure of perfect and although perfection is seldom achieved it is something to continually strive for. This was a breakthrough for me and the results were quickly apparent in my coaching. A continual stress on quality was also something I observed in great coaches and athletes. So what is quality practice? Simply put is mindful and goal driven. There are certain characteristics of quality practice. Step one – Show up everyday, not just physically that is a given. I mean show up mentally, be here now, in the moment with all your faculties. The second step is an outgrowth of the first; you must train the workout, not just do it. Going through the motions, punching the clock is not quality practice; it does not get it done. Focus, focus, focus – Have a measurable goal for each training session. Make the goal oriented to the process and the process related to the long term goals and objectives of the whole training plan. The process helps to break everything into bite-sized chucks that allow incremental steps toward the bigger competitive goal. Thoroughly plan the workout and work the plan. Time, measure and record everything. Progress occurs step by step. Make each session count! Each practice is an opportunity to improve if you are clear on what you want to improve. Have a routine and stick to that routine so that it almost becomes a ritual. Minimize distractions. Get it right the first time. Quality practice makes practice count.
Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN) Announcement
Be a leader and an innovator! Apply now and join a select group of professionals at the GAIN Apprentorship. Our goal is to define the field of Athletic Development by educating professionals in foundational principles and methodology as applied to coaching, physical education and rehabilitation. This program is not for the faint of heart or dilettantes, it is intense, intellectually challenging and demanding. GAIN Apprentorship = Apprenticeship + Mentorship The Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN) is a network of professionals who are interested in learning and sharing to improve their abilities and enhance their professional development. GAIN V will take place June 12 to 17 at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The program is open to sport coaches, conditioning coaches, physical education teachers, athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors and doctors. Complete the application form below and submit your application now, enrollment is limited. Professional tuition is $3,800 and scholastic tuition is $1900 (High school, junior high school, elementary school teachers and coaches are eligible for the scholastic tuition). Tuition includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and room. CEU's from NATA & NSCA. Please call me at 941-378-1778 or email mail me at gstscoach@gmail.com for information or if you have any questions. We combine theory and practice in a five-day residential coaching school format. This is an opportunity to observe, participate, question, and explore the application of the Gambetta Method – Systematic Sport Development Model of training, teaching and injury rehabilitation. The day begins at 6:30 AM with an “Active Learning” learn by doing session followed by breakfast. The morning consists of two hours of classroom sessions followed by an hour of learn by doing, then a break for lunch. The afternoon begins with two hours of classroom sessions, followed by a third learn by doing session. After a break for dinner the day is concluded with small group discussions and interaction with the faculty. The schedule is designed to optimize the experience for the all the participants through high-level instruction and hands on learning. The coaching school represents just a beginning. The graduates of the program can continue to participate via the secure web site, and continue to attend the GAIN coaching school for the duration of their careers if they so choose. Our faculty is experienced professionals who combine their knowledge, experiences and passion for teaching to help guide you. They are leaders in their respective fields who are in the trenches working in the field of athletic development. Vern Gambetta – Athletic Development Jim Radcliffe (University of Oregon) – Strength & Power Development Dave Ellis (President of Collegiate & Professional Sports Dietitians Association) – Nutrition – Fueling & Supplementation Kelvin Giles (Movement Dynamics)– LTAD & Physical Competency Assessment Frans Bosch (Professor of biomechanics and motor learning at Fontys University for Applied Science in The Netherlands) – Biomechanics of Sprinting & Current Concepts in Skill Acquisition Dean Benton (Performance Director Brumbies Rugby) – Athletic Development and Recovery/Regeneration Jack Blatherwick PhD (Consultant Washington Capitols) – Testing & Evaluation Joe Przytula ATC (Elizabeth High School, New Jersey) – Functional Biomechanics & Rehab/Return to Play Bill Knowles ATC (iSport International, Killington Vermont)– Rehab and Return to Play/Reconditioning Tracy Fober PT (Iron Maven Physical Health & Performance) – Athletic Development Ed Thomas Ed.D (Iowa Department of Education)– Physical Education Ed Ryan ATC (Ferris Industries) – Return to Play For those who have attended it has been a career changing experience. Take a giant step forward and apply now for GAIN V. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2012 GAIN Apprentorship Application Enrollment is limited, with priority given to those working with athletes on a daily basis as a coach, athletic trainer (ATC), physical therapist (PT), doctor or chiropractor. This is a highly selective process because the quality of this experience is dependent on the participants; therefore we want to select the best-qualified, highly motivated individuals to help insure a great experience for all involved. What do you do in the Athletic Development field? (Please be as specific as possible) What is your personal mission statement? What do want to learn from the GAIN program? What or how will your attendance contribute to the GAIN Network? Please attach a professional resume’ Please send the application to: Gambetta Sports Training Systems GAIN Apprentorship PO Box 50143 Sarasota, Florida 34232 or Email to: gstscoach@gmail.com
Building on Strengths
I was rereading some parts of the book Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath last night and it made me think about applying those concepts to training athletes. So often in evaluating our athletes and subsequently designing the training programs we focus on the weakness, what they can’t do and ignore the strengths, what they can do. We work so hard on the weaknesses that the strengths erode, in essence creating a leveling effect, a regression toward the mean. Instead maybe we should find what the athlete’s strengths are and build on those areas. Find a way to take advantage of the strengths and minimize the weaknesses, this may be a consummate example of the art of coaching. I don’t have an answer although I do know it is a delicate balance, in many ways constant compromise. I also know that it changes as the athlete progresses in their career and advances in training age. I would be interested in your comments and how you approach it.