Athletic Development – Defining the Field
The Sports Gene
READ THIS BOOK! In the past three years I have read over 300 books, the Sports Gene is one of the best books I have read in that time. David Epstein not only nails the science but he tells compelling ...
Searching For Marginal Gains
"The aggregation of marginal gains" is a phrase that became the mantra of Dave Brailsford performance director of British cycling. What is overlooked in this phrase is the term “aggregation....
Self-Management for Coaching Success
As coaches a huge part of our job involves management. Management of our athletes first, then management of our assistant coaches, support staff, facilities etc. To be a good coach it is absolutely ne...
I Think I can
Maybe this is subliminal programming from my childhood, but I grew up thinking I could. My favorite book as a child was the Little Engine That Could. When I had children I read it to them at lea...
Just Doing It
Just doing it is not good enough to get significantly better. You can go through the motions and just do it. Anybody can that, but if you truly want to be the best and achieve your potential you must ...
Getting It and Getting There
Why do some athletes get it and make it and others with equal talent and ability fall by the wayside. This is a lifelong fascination of mine. Talent and ability are a given to make it to elite status,...
Coaching Specialization
In the whole athlete development process we are very aware of the dangers of early specialization and even over specialization in young developing athletes. I was thinking yesterday after my interacti...
Mental Toughness Training
First of all as I have said several times over the years in this blog mental toughness is a figment of the imagination. Throwing a bunch of exercises together in a circuit and calling it mental toughn...
Training Essentials – The E’s
Energy – Coach and expect high energy from your athletes.Expect high energy do not be willing to settle for less. Enthusiasm – Genuine enthusiasm for what you do is contagious. Show your ...