Focus

We have more evidence everyday that multitasking does not work in everyday life. It is inefficient and leads to shoddy results. The same is true in training. For training to be effective there must be a clear focus. There must be a plan and the plan must be executed. Each session must be evaluated in the context of the plan  and the objectives of the plan. The athlete, the coach, in fact the entire performance team must never lose sight of the objectives of the plan. The training session is the smallest building block of the plan. There will be good training sessions and bad training sessions, frankly that is part of the rhythm of adaptation. Each session must be kept in context. There should be no overreaction to great or bad sessions. I have seen situations where there was a bad workout or a poor competition result and the coach wanted to abandon the plan and start something new. It is too easy to bounce around grasping at straws, trying something new all the time. This may yield instant gratification in terms of short-term results, but in the long term it will lead to poor or inconsistent performance.

Invest the time up front to devise a great detailed plan based on thorough evaluation of the demands of the sport, qualities of the athlete(s) and competition performance. Then decide on measureable markers that will provide objective feedback on incremental progress toward the long-term goals. Devise contingency plans that anticipate obstacles or roadblocks. Once you have done all of this then you coach, you need to be there at the training sessions, there is no substitute for your eyes and ears to monitor progress both intra and inter workout. Your presence and focus will lend stability to the athlete and ensure execution of the plan. Build the athlete incrementally training session to training session, week to week to week, month-to-month and year-to-year. It is a journey, training is a cumulative process, keep the focus, stay the course, and the results will follow.