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I'd like to begin by thanking those of you who took the time to
e-mail me comments and questions. Especially those dealing with
the general topic of evaluating coaches. As you know, I plan to
make this a theme running throughout the coming year's editions.
This is a topic about which little apparently has been written.
Hopefully we can pool our resources and advance both theory and
practice in this area. We will continue this issue with a look at
some of the available web-based materials in this area.
We will also be taking a look at some concerns that most coaches
have. Since in many parts of the country we are on the threshold
of the dreaded "off-season," a look at conditioning plans
is probably a good idea.
By the way, I will answer all of your questions--maybe not in the
mostly timely manner--but I will return your mail.
Mike
Clark
Coaching & Sports Section Editor
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| A commercial site that includes a great deal of information is eteamz.
The site currently deals with 12 different sports and in many instances
includes a variety of information--ranging from drills to conditioning
information. As with many sites, the information is inconsistent,
and many times a single contributor dominates. However, there is good
information available! Also note that the site provides services to
coaches that go beyond the basics. |
| When considering what goes into an off-season conditioning program,
coaches often jump onto the "strength training" band wagon.
(Note that there is a move towards renaming this idea--resistance
training is becoming much more common a term.) You need solid information
before settling on a program for your athletes. An entire series of
articles are available at the CIS
site. |
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Last time around, I noted a number of "givens"
about evaluating coaches. This time, let's look at some materials
that are out there.
Typical of "old
school" thinking is a piece from an athletic administrator
in a large, urban setting. Note that the process is top-down. The
administration and school board set the expectations and coaches
are rated based on subjective assessments.
A
more contemporary approach focuses on meeting well defined expectations
in a more humanistic way. (This may have to do with a difference
in the goals of the organization. This example is from the Positive
Coaching Alliance and is based on work done with youth sports organizations.)
A related approach, but with a different emphasis, is available
at the Little
League site. Here the emphasis is on parents making an evaluation
of a coach, but the principles are similar to the previous example.
An example of an evaluation that involves the athletes
can be found at the Ringette
Nova Scotia site. The idea of players and parents both being
considered is not new but certainly not broadly accepted.
Finally, to give you something to really sink your
teeth into--and probably download to read at your leisure--consider
the CBET
program from the Coaching Association of Canada.
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To see what might be done in a coaching education program, check
out two sites. The first broadly outlines content and is from the
Australian
Football League. Note that Australia has a much more organized
approach to coaches' education than the U.S. Also recognize that
a professional sports organization has taken a leadership role in
promoting the preparation of coaches.
A more detailed account of what goes into a coaching education
program appears at USA
Volleyball
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If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions
about particular topics, please email one of the following Coaching
& Sports Section Editors: |
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At the start of all your teaching,
You would show me what to do.
Always leading by example,
DEMONSTRATION of "how to."
Then you’d say, "Why don't you try it.
I have shown you how to be."
IMITATION--I attempted,
As you watched me lovingly.
"Do it this way. Do it that way.
Try is once again like this."
Your CORRECTION drilling habit,
As we watched my skills progress.
With occasional assistance,
You retreated humbly.
You were finished--I had learned it.
REPETITION was the key.
Swen Nater
On his coach, John Wooden
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Much of what appears under the heading of "off-season conditioning"
is sport specific. And not at all "scientific." To find
useful material, look at a number of sites and consider their ideas
in light of your experience. Also, consider whether the idea of
off-season conditioning or cross-training (by trying another sport)
is a better idea for your athletes. Also not that there is a sense
in which age matters. Younger athletes probably won't benefit from
sport-specific off-season activities as much as older players.
An example of a "simple-minded" introduction (which
may not be that helpful) is one for soccer.
Softball
is the topic of a much better presentation--one that includes actual
outlines of activities. (Although there probably should have been
some additional illustrations with the materials.) An additional
softball site --that could benefit from including more details--focuses
on pitchers.
Football--particularly
the quarterback position--is the topic of a site that is well-illustrated.
(Some of the agility activities are the same ones discussed in the
previous site.) An intense
general strength and conditioning program for football players
offers reasonable detail. But it's real plus may be the opening
which asks, "What level do you want to take your play to? What
are you willing to do to improve yourself as a player?" These
are questions that every coach and player has to answer for themselves.
A site for basketball
stresses agility and plyometrics. This program probably would be
a bit much for younger players. However, the introduction, which
answers the question "What Is a Workout?", might be useful
for any coach.
Although aimed at baseball, the American
Sports Medicine site should be of help to any coach starting
to think about off-season work for younger athletes. In a similar
way, comments from Canadian
Sports Therapy will be of use in thinking about how to get athletes
to stick with a program.
Specific to hockey
is a thorough workout that incorporates a variety of activities.
A sort of antidote for much of the thinking on these sites can
be found at one aimed at baseball
players. The author--a former major league pitcher--writes, "Players
up to age 12 shouldn't worry about staying in shape, as (hopefully)
their normal daily activities give them plenty of exercise. There
are exercises and drills that a player who wants to improve coordination
and skill can do, however concentrating on physical conditioning
is not necessary until about age 13."
And while you're at it, consider one of the more common injuries
suffered in programs involving running--shin
splints.
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