Author: Vernon Gambetta
Some More Books for Educated Coaches
Here are some that I neglected to share last week. I want to call you attention to two true classics – Science of Swimming by Doc Councilman and Modern Training For Running by Ken Doherty. These are two books every coach must read and own. Both have had a huge influence on me. Also note I have not included sport biographies or motivational type books by coaches. I will gather those at a later date and the ones that I think are meaningful.
The Trouble with 40 Yard Dash Times
This article is way off base. http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/3/1/4038740/2013-nfl-combine-high-school-40-yard-dash-times It assumes that all 40-yard dash times are comparable. There is no set protocol for timing 40’s from level to level. Running surfaces will vary; there is no control for wind if they run outdoors, if the track is level or downhill or if it is actually 40 yards! Of course hand times will be faster. To be accurate all events including short shuttles must be timed electronically. The start must be activated off a touch pad with the down hand in contact with the pad and finish must be determined when the beam is broken. No hand times, hand times are faster, electronic times are “slower” because they are accurate; there is no anticipation of the start or at the finish. The problem is coaches, players, scouts, and parents don’t want accurate, they want fast. Even the almighty NFL combine times are bogus – the start is not automatic only the finish is, therefore it is a bit more accurate but not 100% accurate and reliable. Just don’t understand why people keep fooling themselves with these bogus times.
Guru or Coach
Guru is all about style – Coach is all substance Guru is a fountain of information & disconnected facts – Coach is about knowledge Guru has secret training methods – The coach is open and shares Guru puts other down to make himself look good – Coach uplifts and gives credit where it is due Guru expects everyone to drink the Kool-Aid – Coach offers pure water Guru has no question, all the answers – Coach is guided by questions Guru makes exorbitant claims of success – Coach lets actions speak for themselves Guru is on the front page – Coach is on the back page Guru follows the $$$$ – Coach is driven by principle Guru complexifies – Coach simplifies Guru is exclusive – Coach is inclusive Guru is in the spotlight – Coach is in the background Guru is conditional – Coach is unconditional Guru is a shooting star – Coach is a shinning star
Focused Training
Multitasking does not work in life nor does it work in training. In designing and implementing an effective training session focus is essential. It is tempting to include more, to tick off the boxes so speak so that you touch all bases in a training session. Instead it is imperative to have a specific objective for the training session and a very focused means to achieve the objective. Less is more, trite but true. Give the body a very sharp direct stimulus designed to achieve training objective. Too many repetitious drills or exercises will dull the training effect. Look carefully at the construction of the whole workout from warm-up through to cooldown. Make sure everything included in the training session is in pursuit of the objective of the session, only include need to do activities, get rid of the nice to do. Be sure to consider what happens inter workout, essentially the preceding workout should set up the current workout and the succeeding workout should flow out of it. No workout should stand alone; they are all interrelated to achieve optimum adaptive response. In essence it is fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together until you have the whole picture.
Some Books for Educated Coaches
Here are books that I recommend if you want to consider yourself an educated coach. All these books are books I find myself referring to on an ongoing basis. Some are classics and some are contemporary. No doubt they represent my bias and my background in Track & Field, which has served me well in my career. There are a few more I will add later.
Seeing Things Differently
Are you seeing what you want to see or what is actually happening? There is an old aphorism that is particularly appropriate: “You don’t need to see different things, but rather to see things differently.” Today take a minute and look at what you are doing and try to see it differently. Look at what you are doing through someone else’s eyes. You will be surprised!
Game Day
Everyday is not game day! Game, match or meet day is special. That is what you point for and prepare for on the other days. What you do in the days leading to game day will determine your performance on game day. To be the best on game day requires being a “24 Hour Athlete.” It is more than the two hours of training, it is the other 22 hours that make the difference. It is total commitment, being all in all the time. Excellence in life determines excellence on the playing field. Win the day! Win the workout! Doing that gives you a chance to win on game day. Game day is special because of the commitment and preparation leading to it.
GAIN FAQ’s
What is GAIN? This is a community of professionals eager to learn and willing to share ideas and information. GAIN is not about more exercises, sets, reps and training methods it is about passionate people who pursue excellence with honesty, integrity and respect to make a difference in the lives of the people we coach and teach. Who attends? GAIN is open to Strength & Conditioning/Athletic Development coaches, Sport Coaches, Physical Therapists, ATC’s, Chiropractors, Doctors and Physical Education teachers. Those who attend are professionals seeking career advancement & renewal through a networking experience and who are interested in getting out of their comfort zone. How do I apply? Go to http://bit.ly/1yZ3Nin and complete your application. We will let you know within three days if you are accepted. Why do I have to apply? Can’t I just sign up? Having people apply is part of what makes GAIN special. It would be easier to make it open for anyone to enroll, but that is not what GAIN is about. We are looking for people who are wiling to share and challenge themselves and others to grow professionally. The people in the network with you are as important (maybe even more important) than the faculty experts. The connections and inspiration you get from those around you have a significant impact on the experience. Is GAIN a certification? No it is not a certification program. It is a professional development network; there is no accreditation or certification associated with it. Is GAIN a boot camp? No it is not a boot camp. There is an active learning component that attendees participate if they are willing and able but the focus is on teaching and learning through lecture, demonstration and discussion. How much does GAIN cost? Tuition is $1875. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and lodging. Who are the faculty? We have a faculty with a tremendous breadth of experiences and a track record of excellence in their chosen fields. They know how a performance team works, how all aspects of athletic development complement each other and most importantly they understand the process of developing athletes. How does the network work? The GAIN annual meeting is just the beginning. Participants have access to a secure website that offers access to an online forum and library. There are periodic scheduled hangouts for GAIN members. In addition GAIN members are eligible to come back each year at a reduced rate. Are there CEU’s? Yes there are CEU’s from the NSCA and NATA. When is GAIN? June 17 to June 21, 2015 Where is GAIN? It is held on the campus of Rice University in Houston Texas.