Functional Path Training

Coaching Art & Science

To be an effective coach it is necessary to be informed by science and artist to rival da Vinci. We know so much more today from a scientific perspective than when I started coaching 48 years ago and the information is easily accessible. But are we applying it as well as we can? We can do better. We have several generations of coaches who have been driven by science but come up short in the art, the practice and the craft of coaching. It’s not the science that is the problem it is the lack of artistic ability, the things you must do to be an effective coach of people.

Today the trend is toward evidence based practice. Looking for thin g we can quantify and research. That is fine as far as it goes. But the evidence must clear and irrefutable and therein lies the problem. So much of the research that is the basis for the evidence is flawed and questionable. It is done for short periods with physical education students as subjects in sterile and artificial laboratory environments or with inadequate control groups. I implore you to look more closely at the basis of the evidence before embracing the evidence as a basis for you your coaching.

As a coach who feels the need to be informed by science I have always felt that we must temper that with practice based evidence – those techniques and methods that have stood the test of time, that have produced consistent reproducible results in the competitive arena. The characteristic of all these programs is the consistent application of the irrefutable principles of training. These principles and methods have been validated by science. They are simple and clear when properly applied. No doubt we need to do a better job of clarifying why programs have worked and stood the test of time. We can do a better job of tracking over the long term and communicating results in clear language that will facilitate sharing of knowledge. We need to be able ask questions of each other and the scientists that will make us all better. It is not art or science, nor is it all evidence based. It is a constant juggling act with all professionals working together to help the athlete achieve their best.

Effective Training/Training Effectively

One of the biggest mistakes I have seen in training design is biased one sided training that emphasizes one component of training to the exclusion of others. Effective training demands that all components of training be trained throughout the training year. Different components receive different emphasis depending on the time of the year, stage of career, competitive schedule. As I design my training I think of major emphasis and minor emphasis. A major emphasis will show up more frequently during a training cycle, a minor emphasis less frequently. As the athlete progress throughout their career the emphasis will change to meet the athlete’s needs and insure continual adaptation.

Coaching Wisdom from a Master Coach Clay Erro

Clay is the former football coach at Enterprise High School in Redding California. He is the winningest football coach in Northern California history. We have been privileged to have Clay as a GAIN faculty member. More important than his success was his ability to teach young men to be responsible adults and citizens. His approach was unconventional with premium on relationships and teaching.

There were no rules, rather some simple guidelines:

We not me

No excuses

No messengers

No sympathy groups

Here are a few other gems from Clay:

Are you here or present?

The quickest way to get better is to get smarter

Competitions are opportunities, chances to measure YOUR progress.

Coach your position

Clay is the coach we all wish we would have had. We will have Coach Erro on the GAINcast soon to go into detail on his approach.

Tactical Periodization – Is it really new?

What exactly is tactical periodization? Is it the newest buzzword or a new name for what great coaches have always done? Before you jump on the bandwagon and try to understand some of the poorly translated Portuguese books and interviews on the subject look at history for a minute. Look at Dean Smith and John Wooden – they did not call it tactical periodization but their practices were designed to thoroughly and systematically prepare for the demands of the game. Look at Chip Kelly when he was at Oregon or Herb Brooks with the 1980 Olympic Ice Hockey team. Basic sound pedagogy designed to speed up the game. Practices were fast to make the game slow down for them and speed up for the opponent. They focused on key “moments of the game.”  Everything was driven by the demands of the game, no fluff. In short tactical periodization is not new, just wrapped in a different package – good marketing.

Difference Makers

Big things do matter, but the little things also matter. Pay attention to detail but never get caught up the minutiae and lose sight of the big picture

Leadership matters. It must be strong and consistent.

Strong, clear & compelling message. The must be one voice and one message. Everyone singing from the same song book

Culture matters! Never compromise the culture for a shortcut to success.

Accountability for everyone from top to bottom is necessary.

More on the Coaching Process

No algorithm, no formula – High degree of emotional intelligence & flexibility

Grounded in pedagogy – A coach is a teacher first

Driven by clearly defined core beliefs – Core beliefs are actions not just words

Lifelong learner – Seeking answers by asking better questions

The coach is a communicator – That means listening as well as talking

Life/sport balance for the coach and athlete – We coach people who compete in sport. We have lives also.

Stop and Think

Before the day starts today take a minute and reflect. Why are you doing what you are doing when you are doing it and with whom are doing it? If you can’t sensibly and logically answer these questions in the context of the whole development process of the athlete then maybe you should not be doing it