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The Aspects of Coaching that no one Talks About
Normally when people talk about weightlifting coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, or any other barbell coach, they normally talk about things like programming, technique, or the books that they have written. However anyone that has ever been a great coach knows that there is so much more. You might be the smartest coach in the world. However if you can’t relay that knowledge to your athletes, you are just a guy or gal full of useless knowledge.
I want you to notice that I said you are a “guy or gal” full of useless knowledge. I didn’t say “coach”. You have to earn the title of “coach”. Too many people run around calling themselves ‘coach’. A lot of these people have zero or very few athletes to their credit, and no results to speak of either. If this is you, you are not a coach at least yet.
If you don’t have any athletes, whom are you coaching? How are you a coach? You might have the knowledge, but that is just a small percentage of what you’re going to need. Today we are going to talk about the things that you are really going to need.
I have two friends that I love to talk with about the true art of coaching: Spencer Arnold and Zach Greenwald. Both of these guys are coaches, and they understand what it takes. I could talk with either of them for days about the subject. Zach and I are planning on developing a product for aspiring coaches, so you guys will have a road map that leads to being a great coach without all the trial and error that normally exists with the profession.
Until then I want to write a series of article to give you guys some great ideas and direction. Here’s a brief outline of the coaching continuum:
1. Why are you coaching?
• What triggered you to be a coach?
• Values
• Mission Statement
2. Characteristics of a High Level Coach
o Sports Psychology: do doubt.
o Coaching styles for different athletes
o Limiting the coaching cues at a meet
3. Competition Coaching
o Considerations:
• What to expect from your first meet?
• How to prepare yourself, as the coach?
• Case studies/strategy from high-level competition?
• Attempt selection at local, National and International meets and the differences
• Timing of Warm-Ups
• What to do in the different situations like being 12 attempts out after opener.
• Rules to be aware of like 30 second rule to declare attempt
Of course there are still other aspects of coaching that needs to be considered:
1. Programming
• Stimulus, response, and adaptation
• Specificity
• Overload
• Taper
• Variation
• Choosing accessory work based on variety
• Choosing accessory work based on weakness
• ROM testing to manage quantify stimulus, response, and adaptation
2. Technique
• Biomechanics
• Different Styles
• Similarities
• How to choose the best for you or your athlete
3. Assessment to quantify all aspects
• Exercise Ratios to Guide Programming
• Exercise Ratios to choose accessory work
• Ratios to quantify results
• ROM Testing to quantify proper stress
I am excited for this turn in my career. There is no better way to change the world than teaching the future coaches of the world the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of coaching. Coach Greenwald is a friend that sees eye to eye with me on the ‘why’ of coaching, and no one is better in the area of muscular balance. I am ready to turn the world of coaching upside down.
Let’s start with the question, “What triggered you to be a coach?”
The answer is the most important answer of your career. If you are coaching to make money or because you saw an opportunity, you are in the wrong field. There are plenty of ways to make money that won’t involve the lives of others. If money is the reason that you’re coaching, change careers now.
Coaches directly affect the lives of the people that they coach. Athletes have goals, and coaches help them reach those goals. Coaches help athletes set goals, devise plans, and commit to those plans. Those are skills that will help those young men and women for the rest of their lives with a lot more than just lifting weights.
Coaches help athletes deal with adversity. I am doing that right now as one of my athletes deals with an injury. My ability to empathize and care about my athletes ensures that my motive is for the right reasons. I just want to help my athletes.
The way that I deal with my athletes could become the way that they deal with people in their lives. If I provide a good example for them, they have a healthy model for their relationships in the future. This is the real art of coaching.
Coaches provide skills for the athletes to lead a better life. Skills like”
• Goal setting
• Work ethic
• Perseverance
• Overcoming adversity
• Positive relationships
This leads me to the answer of: what triggered my decision to coach? I love people. God has gifted me the ability to relate with people and to teach. Nothing excited me more than watching my athletes grow as people and as athletes. It’s my passion. I hope that this is the reason that all of you want to coach.
These relationships allow me to do something even bigger in my opinion. My athletes get to see the way that I love my wife and children. This is a witness of God’s love. Sometimes this love allows for moments to discuss God’s love. This is the main purpose of all my work. It’s not something that I push on my athletes. It’s just something that I hope they see, and I hope that one day I earn the right to tell them more.
If you are in the field of coaching for selfish reasons like personal glory or to get rich, you are in the wrong field. This is a career for people that love to help others. If this isn’t you, then you should consider a career change. This career isn’t about you. It isn’t about your goals. It isn’t about what you want. It’s all about what the athlete wants. I want you to think about this long and hard because the answers and what you do with them could affect the lives of several people. Coaches have the ability to affect lives one at a time in their athletes, but it’s not just the athletes’ lives. It’s the lives of the athletes and their families that will be affected. Think about this before you decide to be a coach.
Guys and gals, if you want a tool that will help you along your fitness path, I would be honored if you checked out the brand new “No Weaknesses” E-Book. For more information, click on the link below:
The Mash Elite “No Weaknesses” E-Book
