Family Update:
The family is doing well, although a cold as spread first to Brennen, then to Jenn and now the girls. They are all coughing and sneezing. I have been pretty fortunate over the years. I rarely get sick and if I do it is only a slight cold or something that is gone quickly. I think it is because I had every sickness known to man when I was little that God is giving me a break:) .
Sunday we are having an birthday celebration for Brennen's 1st B-day. The girls wanted to invite some friends over so they can take part in this BIG event (can you imagine when he turns 2- we'll be bringing out the fireworks). It should be a fun day and I know we will all enjoy his big day.
Understanding What Is Appropriate...
There is such a need for quality training and fitness information to hit the mainstream and it needs to happen quickly.
The other day I watched a club volleyball team perform "Big" box jumps. The boxes were easily 24-26 inches high. The girls are only 7th-8th graders and not very athletic at this stage. By no means am I mentioning this to disrespect the coach or the girls but attention needs to be paid to poor training techniques and strategies to make sure change occurs. These girls had to jump onto the boxes (which none of them could get high enough to perform properly), then they had to jump off (this was even worse because none of them landed properly). The coach then had them perform single leg step up jumps (I call them bench blasts). Now think about this folks... the boxes were easily 24-26 inches high. Most of the girls were 5'5" and under.... so this means when they put their foot on the box they were well over 90 degree at the hip. They couldn't even perform a normal step up let alone explode. Imagine the compressive forces in the hip and low back, not to mention the landing on one leg. WE NEED CHANGE FAST!
Once again I am not picking on this coach or team, but it was a perfect example of what not to do and it needs to stop or we will continue to have injured athletes due to poor training. It was my obligation as a specialist in training to say something to the coach. So, I told her my background and that I would be willing to come in and teach the girls how to jump and land as well as move correctly. I also mentioned I was concerned about the drills she was having the girls perform and how they could lead to possible injury. She was open and willing to have me come in. I thought that was awesome. Many times when I have offered to help coaches who badly needed help they refused and became irritated that I would even ask to help.
We need to understand what is appropriate if we are going to train athletes. In order for this to occur in the mainstream coaching community the professionals who understand need to speak up and share more information. The more you share the more coaches will realize they need your assistance. This will not only help you as a professional, but it will begin to help hundreds and possibly thousands of athletes as it trickles down over the years. Change doesn't occur by itself. It takes persistent action by dedicated professionals.
The best course of action is to create simple templates of how to perform basic exercises (strength, speed and agility, and flexibility to start with). Exercises should be broken down into the most fundamental patterns so it is easy for all coaches to understand and teach to their athletes. As the coaches becomes more comfortable with the fundamentals they can learn how to advance to the next level. HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT: We, as professionals, must make coaches understand by starting with the fundamental patterns and doing them correctly it will bring the athletes to a higher level of performance then if they use more advance skills the athletes are not ready for. Coaches have to know why we do it this way.
Our goal is for all athletes to perform at their highest potential and to be safe in the process. So, we must start with the basics and bring them along at the appropriate pace.
Let me know your thoughts....
Yours in Speed,
Lee
PS: Hey, Speed Insiders! I can't wait until you receive your new Speed Insiders Newsletter this month. It is really sharp and full of info. If you are not a Speed Insider then quickly go to http://www.speedinsider.com/ and try out my Speed Insiders program for 2 months completely FREE!
PPS: 2009 means some new positive changes for the Speed Insiders program- the awesome newsletter is one of the changes and more changes are on the way. You are going to love them!
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2 comments:
Lee,
Great article. At our facility we are working with primarily baseball players right now. And it is interesting to watch them practice and see that the coaches only tell them what they are doing wrong in their swing. "Turn your hips more," is a common phrase. The coaches can only point it out, but for some reason don't think to consider, maybe this kid does not know how to MOVE to rotate his hips?
Seeing as how you said you are often turned away after offering to advise and direct a fitness program, do you ever see these coaches changing their techniques after you mention it to them? Or do they continue in their old ways? Are the parents of the kids who are receiving the misguided trianing, ever made aware of what their children are being set up for?
Thanks Aaron,
I usually see coaches stop doing what they were doing (because they don't know how to fix it) but many do not want help.
I can honestly say I have picked up tons of athletes in my speed academy because parents are afraid of how the coaches are training them. They want their kids to be instructed properly.
Keep up the great work Aaron!
lee
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