Functional Path Training

GAIN White Papers

Go to http://thegainnetwork.com/ and scroll down and download the PDF’s of these GAIN White papers. More will be coming over the next several months. I hope you enjoy and find them useful. Any feedback would be appreciated. Also if you are interested you can watch the opening talk of GAIN 2018.

Athletic Development - Defining the Discipline

This is my attempt to move beyond strength and conditioning and define a discipline that addresses current reality.

Developing Athletes - Why We Are Where We Are A Personal & Historical Perspective

Here I take a historical look over the past sixty years to see why we are where we are in sport and physical education today. This just scratches the surface but hopefully will stimulate thought and put it all in a historical context.

Announcing GAIN 2018 Faculty

Our faculty is a very special group with a tremendous breadth of experiences and a track record of excellence in their chosen fields. They know how a performance team works, how all aspects of athletic development complement each other and most importantly they understand the process of developing athletes. The faculty and their willingness to share and interact make GAIN special. They know how to connect the dots and still stay grounded in the basics. They completely live the GAIN Mission which is: To focus on the possibilities for enhancing human movement with no limits or limitations and emphasize connections and links between all disciplines in the same manner we emphasize connections and linkages in the body.

GAIN XI is June 12 to 16, 2018 at Rice University in Houston Texas. Apply as soon as possible. For more information & to apply go to  http://thegainnetwork.com/

Who are the faculty?

Vern Gambetta, Founder of GAIN Network, Currently Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. Vern brings 49 years of experience having worked with sport at all levels of competition.

Peter Weyand, PhD Professor of Applied Physiology and Biomechanics at SMU One of the world’s foremost experts on human performance, Peter is a frequent source for journalists worldwide on the topic of performance limits such as how fast humans can run. 

John Pryor, Former conditioning coach Japan Rugby, now the conditioning coach for Fiji Rugby and The Brumbies in Super Rugby. John has developed a system for blending speed and strength development based on his experience and incorporating the concepts of Frans Bosch that apply to all sports. He is not afraid to challenge conventional thinking.

Jim Radcliffe, Head S&C Coach University of Oregon, a pioneer and a true master of the profession. In his thirty plus years at University of Oregon he has worked with championships team in a variety of sports. Jim began as a high school coach and teacher who never strays far from the basics.

Martin Bingisser, HMMR Media, Swiss National Hammer Throw Coach, many time Swiss national hammer throw champion. Martin is the founder of HMMR Media, an online coach’s education platform, and co-host of the GAINcast and HMMR Podcast. He is also active as a coach, servicing as the Swiss national coach in the hammer throw, throwing coach for LC Zurich, and fitness coach for GC Rugby Zurich. Martin is a graduate of University of Washington and is a practicing lawyer in Zurich Switzerland.

Grace Golden PhD, is currently is a Senior Lecturer & Program Director for the Graduate Athletic Training Program at the University of Oregon. Her education includes  BS in Physical Education/Teacher Preparation (University of Oregon, 1989), MS in Physical Education/Athletic Training (University of Oregon, 1991) and a PhD in Exercise and Sport Science (Oregon State University, 2007).  She has been Head Women’s Athletic Trainer (University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 1997-2000), Assistant Athletic Trainer (Stanford University, 2000-2001), Associate Head Athletic Trainer (UCLA, 2007-2009) and Clinically focused on lower extremity screening and long-term rehabilitation of ACL injuries, her philosophy and approach are strongly influenced by emphasizing the existing intersections of fundamental movement skill development, motor learning theory, and apt performance programming in active individuals who have experienced lower extremity injury in order to emphasize physical literacy & athletic performance and the potential to prevent injuries.  

Nick Garcia, Athletic Development Coach & Assistant Track Coach, Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California. An accomplished athlete himself Nick has developed an outstanding athletic development at Notre Dame high school where he works with all sixteen sports. He earned his bachelor's degree and his master's in Physical Education from Cal State Northridge.

Steve Magness is a performance coach, author, and lecturer. He currently serves as a coach to 20 professional runners, is the Head Cross Country coach at the University of Houston and a Lecturer of Strength and Conditioning at St. Mary’s University, UK. As a writer, He just published two books, Peak Performance with co-author Brad Stulberg and The Science of Running.

Dan Noble Athletic Development Coach at The Hill Academy. He is the owner of Noble Sports & Performance and directs our offseason programming through Hill Performance Training. Recently, Coach Noble served as the Director of Athletic Performance for the Chinese Women’s National Ice Hockey Program. Dan specializes in fostering the development of elite athletes through a process that focuses on mastering efficient movement patterns, mechanics and creating sustainable, adaptable athletes

Bill Knowles, Director of Reconditioning and Athletic Development for HPSports is world-renowned in the field of Sports Reconditioning and Athletic Development. As a specialist with years of experience at the Professional, Olympic, and Elite Junior levels of sport; he specializes in developing injury prevention, performance training and reconditioning strategies for athletes and teams. Bill has lectured and trained staff around the world on his concepts of managing joint compromised athletes in their quest for a return to competition following injury.  He has equally presented an adolescent model of injury prevention and performance for soccer players.  Bill works consistently with the Philadelphia Union Academy in Major League Soccer/USA. Bill has worked with governing bodies of sport such as the RFU (England Rugby), The FA, Australian Institute of Sport, Chinese Olympic Committee, US Soccer, US Skiing, The England Institute of Sport, and the NCAA.  He has trained athletes and staff from over sixty professional teams throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.

Ryan Podell is sports science/conditioning coach for the Indianapolis Colts. Before that he was sports scientist with the Portland Trail Blazers where he was responsible for collecting and managing all training information and data to create more efficient ways to develop players. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science and his master's in sports performance from Ball State University.

Ed Ryan, ATC serves The Andrews Institute as the Director of Athletic Medicine providing service on behalf of Nemours Children’s Hospital to the US Tennis Association’s National Campus in Orlando Florida. Ryan served as the 2007-16 USA Basketball Women's National Team athletic trainer and medical services coordinator for all USA Basketball teams. A 21-year member of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Sports Medicine staff, Ed served as the Medical Director and head athletic trainer for numerous events, including the Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics, Winter Paralympics, and the Pan American Games.

Homayun Gharavi MD studied medicine and sports science at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. He is the founder of the German Academy of Applied Sports Medicine (DAASM) based in Regensburg. He developed an innovative elastic sling training system, the 4D PRO Reaction Trainer.

James Marshall is the Head Coach of Excelsior Athletic Development Club based in Willand, Devon UK. Having been employed as a strength and conditioning coach within professional rugby and with several National Governing Bodies he decided to set up his own club. He now coaches gymnastics, athletics and weight lifting to young people in the local area. His special interests are in understanding movement and coach education. A GAIN regular attendee since 2010.

Randy Ballard, ATC, Director of Integrated Performance He oversees the collaborative efforts of I-Perform, which includes representation from the Sports Medicine, Strength & Conditioning and Sports Nutrition units to promote an integrated athletic department that provides student-athletes and teams with programming and resources for optimal performance, athletic development and global wellness. Ballard was integral in the creation of the I-Perform program, which launched in the spring of 2014 with the goal of putting forth a unified approach to student-athlete health, well-being and performance.  Randy is a graduate of Kansas State and has a master's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas.

Joe Przytula, ATC (AKA Mr. GAIN) is currently the Supervisor of Physical Education and Health at Elizabeth Public Schools USA- the second largest school district in the state of New Jersey. Prior to 2012, he was the head Athletic Trainer and a physical education teacher. He graduated from Montclair State College with a BS in physical education with a concentration in athletic training. He was NJSIAA athletic trainer of the year in 1998, recipient of the Governor’s teacher award in 2008, and NJAHPERD Active Schools Champion in 2018. Joe’s model of athletic development and rehabilitation is strongly influenced by manual therapy, the Gambetta Method, and physical therapists David Tiberio and Gary Gray. He has extensive involvement in improving community access to nutritious food, and engineering walkability/bikeability back into neighborhoods.

Landon Evans director of sports science in the Department of Athletics at the University of Iowa; a strength & conditioning coach for the track & field program; and an active research member with the Virtual Soldier Research program within the College of Engineering. He has also served as the sports nutrition coordinator for the Department of Athletics.

Greg Thompson has been teaching and coaching for over 30 years. He has degrees from Alma College and Wayne State University.  He currently teaches elementary Physical Education at Longacre Elementary in the Farmington Public School District in the suburban Detroit. Since coming to Farmington, he has served as K-12 Physical Education Coordinator and Department Chair.  In addition to his teaching duties, he serves as Acting Principal. His programs have earned two EDEX awards, one for assessment and one for “Rise and Shine”, his before-school exercise program.  In 2014 he received the Governor’s Champion for Health award from the Governor’s Fitness Council. Since 2010, he has been a member of the GAIN faculty. As a coach, Greg has successfully completed the USSF “A” License as well as the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. He has performed as Director of Coaching for the Livonia Soccer Club and the Dexter Soccer Club.  He is currently with Michigan Rush-Northville as Athletic Development Director.  At the collegiate level, he has worked with Schoolcraft College Men’s Soccer, Madonna University Men’s Soccer, and currently with University of Michigan Men’s Club Soccer.  Coach Thompson was recognized with Madonna University’s coaching staff as NAIA Regional Coaching Staff of the year.

Steve Myrland, District Performance Coach for Athletics, District Wellness Director Middleton Wisconsin School District. Steve is an innovative thinker who can connect the dots like no other. He has worked as an athletic development coach in the NHL and at the University level including National Championship teams in Soccer and Ice Hockey at University of Wisconsin.

Testing =Training & Training = Testing

Testing and training go hand and glove. Evaluation through testing is an ongoing process that will determine the direction and content of training. Therefore it is important to build testing into the training plan. The traditional approach has been to schedule specific days for testing, usually at the beginning or the end of a yearly training cycle. This testing usually consists of criteria tests that profile the athlete with respect to the biomotor capacities in a particular sport. They are usually scheduled two times during a yearly training cycle. I have grown increasingly uncomfortable with this approach. Using testing only two times in a yearly cycle gave me good baseline information, but it did not give me information on the ongoing progress of training that I needed to make the day to day and week to week adjustments in the training to obtain optimum adaptive response.

There is a necessity to incorporate testing into the actual training process on a day-to-day basis. The solution is that testing equals training and training equals testing. At various points in each training session there are distinct windows of opportunity to get feedback as to the effect of training. It is imperative in those periods to look for and utilize the feedback. Build testing in the training. We must keep in mind that training is cumulative so it is important to keep the big picture in mind. Ongoing evaluation enables us to keep everything in proportion and perspective. We need to train all the qualities throughout the training year; therefore we must monitor the progress.

GAIN 2018 - Apply Now

This is the eleventh year of GAIN; it started 2007 with twelve attendees and four instructors and has grown to eighty attendees from all over the world and eighteen faculty. GAIN is a community of professional’s eager to learn and willing to share ideas and information. GAIN is not about more exercises, sets, reps and training methods it is about passionate people who pursue excellence with honesty, integrity and respect to make a difference in the lives of the people we coach and teach.

Who attends?

GAIN is open to Strength & Conditioning/Athletic Development coaches, Sport Coaches, Physical Therapists, ATC’s, Chiropractors, Doctors and Physical Education teachers. Those who attend are professionals seeking career advancement & renewal through a networking experience and who are interested in getting out of their comfort zone.

When is GAIN?

June 12 to June 16, 2018

Where is GAIN?

It is held on the campus of Rice University in Houston Texas.

How much does GAIN cost?

Tuition is $2050. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and lodging at Rice University.

Where can I learn more about GAIN?

Go to www.thegainnetwork.com/ or call 941-378-1778. You can also email Vern Gambetta at gstscoach@gmail.com

How do I apply?

Go to https://tinyurl.com/ycu2sesl to apply, submit your application now, enrollment is limited. We will let you know within ten days if you are accepted.

Why do I have to apply? Can’t I just sign up?

Having people apply is part of what makes GAIN special. It would be easier to make it open for anyone to enroll, but that is not what GAIN is about. We are looking for people who are wiling to share and challenge themselves and others to grow professionally. The people in the network with you are as important (maybe even more important) than the faculty experts. The connections and inspiration you get from those around you have a significant impact on the experience.

Who are the faculty?

Our faculty has a a tremendous breadth of experiences and a record of excellence in their chosen fields. They know how a performance team works, how all aspects of athletic development complement each other and most importantly they understand the process of developing athletes.

How does the network work?

The GAIN annual meeting is the beginning. Participants have access to a secure website that offers access to an online forum and library including video of past GAIN Annual Meetings. In addition, GAIN members are eligible to come back each year at a reduced rate.

GAIN 2018 Theme

Connecting the Dots – Back to Basics

GAIN Mission

To focus on the possibilities for enhancing human movement with no limits or limitations and emphasize connections and links between all disciplines in the same manner we emphasize connections and linkages in the body.

GAIN Goals

Provide a career defining educational experience for all involved

Define the field of Athletic Development

Reinforce the concepts that:

Training = Testing and Testing = Training

Training = Rehab and Rehab = Training

Making Connections

Body is a complex adaptive system, not a bio-machine or bio-computer. Given that the body is a kinetic chain and all systems of the body work synergistically to produce efficient movement then training is all about connections. How can we better link, sync and coordinate to enhance efficient movement. Biomechanically it helps to think toe nails to finger nails to finger nails, everything is connected. The better and more effective the training the more effective the connections between body parts and the various systems of the body. In theory and for mental convenience we can isolate but that is not the way the body works in real life. As coaches, we need to consciously make connections to make training more effective and efficient. We need to understand that that although we may target a particular system i.e. neural, cardio vascular, endocrine hormonal that they all affected regardless of the emphasis. The ultimate connection is connecting training to the competition. Never lose sight of the fact that the goal of training is to prepare the athlete for competition, therefore all training must connect to competition by thoroughly preparing the athlete for the demands of the competition.

GAIN X – Short but Spectacular

As one who is not given to hyperbole GAIN was too short but it sure was spectacular, it was easily the best we have ever had. After ten years, we don’t have it figured out but we sure are on our way. GAIN is not a conference, it is an event, an event that is meant facilitate networking and building a community of professionals who will question and challenge each other to be the best. It directed in four prongs 1) Athletic Development 2) Sport Coaching 3) Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation 4) Physical Education with the goal to foster communication and sharing between these disciplines.

So many people have gone into making GAIN what it is today. I want to recognize them with a special thank you

Melissa Gambetta (My Wife) – The brains behind the operation, the person who does all the hard stuff to make it run smoothly

Ed Ryan who graciously gives up his time each year out of his busy schedule to do the onsite operations

Tommy McHugh AKA Tommy Tech who does all the filming, manages the web page and his dad Patrick McHugh who helps him

Rice University Men’s Track & Field who are our on-campus sponsor, specifically Brek Christensen, assistant coach.

The GAIN Originals (Still Coming to GAIN) 

 

 

Tove Shere

Adam Moss

Bill Knowles

Steve Myrland

Greg Thompson

Patrick McHugh

Phil Bazzini

Joe Przytula

The Faculty

 

Wade Gilbert, professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. Dr. Gilbert's areas of expertise include coaching effectiveness, talent development, and sport psychology. Editor - International Sport Coaching Journal | Consultant - USOC Coaching Education.

Michael Joyner MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He has done extensive work in Physiology of Elite Athletes. Elite athletic performances are experiments in nature on the limits of human physiology. Dr. Joyner uses data from real-world competitions to understand the limits of human physiology. 

John Pryor, Former conditioning coach Japan Rugby, now the conditioning coach for Suntory Rugby, Brumbies in Super Rugby and Fiji.

Jim Radcliffe, Head S&C Coach University of Oregon, a pioneer and a true master of the profession.

Martin Bingisser, HMMR Media, Swiss National Hammer Throw Coach

Nick Garcia, Athletic Development Coach & Assistant Track Coach, Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California

Steve Magness, Head Cross Country and Assistant Track Coach University of Houston

Bill Knowles, ATC Philadelphia Union Academy and HP Sports. Pioneer in reconditioning and return to play.

Ed Ryan, ATC Head Trainer US Women’s Olympic Basketball Team, Formerly Head of Sports Medicine at USOC

Randy Ballard, , ATC , Director of Integrated Performance, University of Illinois

Joe Przytula, ATC Supervisor of Physical Education and Health, and athletic trainer with Elizabeth Public Schools, Elizabeth New Jersey USA.

Greg Thompson, Elementary Physical Education Teacher Farmington Michigan, Currently Athletic Development and Age Group Head Coach, Livonia City Soccer Club

Steve Myrland, District Performance Coach for Athletics, District Wellness Director Middleton Wisconsin School District

Our Partners

Their generosity makes it possible to have the quality faculty we have.

1080 Motion - http://1080motion.com/ makes of 1080 Sprint and 1080 Quantum

Bridge Athletic - https://bridgeathletic.com/ makes of Bridge training management software

Lane Gainer - http://lanegainer.com/ makes of the famous Bullet Belt

GAIN Swimming 2017 - Join us in September

 

 

Coaching Athletic Development for Swimming

From Design to Implementation

 

The GAIN swimming network is part of the GAIN network whose goal is to provide an experience that will significantly enhance participant’s expertise by sharing information with other professionals in a setting that encourages an open exchange of ideas. GAIN Swimming follows a workshop format consisting of lecture, discussions, hot topic panels, team spotlight presentations, practical learn by doing participation and demonstration. If you are sincerely interested in advancing your professional development as a swim coach apply now.

Mission Statement

To instill a culture of daily physical preparation that grows & nurtures adaptable swimming athletes who understand the wisdom of their bodies, its ability to self-organize and solve movement problems.

Goal

At the end of the journey all physical limitations are eradicated and the swimmer is ready technically, tactically, physically and psychologically to compete to win.

 

What is Dryland training?

It is more than just another workload that you impose on your swimmers. It must be highly correlated with the objectives of the water workout to achieve optimum results.

Dates & Site

September 8-10, 2017: Carmel Swim Club, Carmel, Indiana

Benefits

Access to GAIN Swimming Forum on secure web site

Access to the GAIN Swim library including videos of past GAIN Swim Conferences

Cost of Attendance

In Network - (Those that are currently using GAIN swimming services) $750 for three coaches, $100 for each additional coach

Individual - $750

Outside Network - $1500 for three coaches plus $100 for each additional coach

Location

         Carmel Swim Club, Carmel Indiana

To Register

https://www.teamunify.com/MemRegStart.jsp?team=incsc&event_id=791825

Deadline for registration is September 1

For Further Information

Please contact Vern Gambetta at gstscoach@gmail.com, Chris Plumb at cplumb@carmelswimclub.org or Ian Murray at imurray@carmelswimclub.org You can also contact the Carmel Swim Club directly at 317-575-8244.

The Faculty

Our faculty is experienced professionals who have been in the trenches working in the field of athletic development for swimming.

Vern Gambetta - Founder of GAIN Network, pioneer in dryland training for swimming

Chris Plumb - Chris Plumb is the Head Coach/CEO of Carmel Swim Club.

Ian Murray - Associate Head Coach of Carmel Swim Club

Chris Webb – Head Coach, T2 Aquatics in Naples Florida

Tentative Schedule

Friday September 8

Registration – 3:00 to 4:00 PM

Opening Session – 4:00 to 7:00

Saturday September 9

Early Morning - Observation of Carmel Dryland – 6:00 to 8:00

Breakfast - 8:00 to 9:30

Morning Session – 9:30 to 12:00

Lunch – 12:00 to 1:30

Afternoon Session - 1:30 to 5:30

Evening Dinner & Social (No Host)

Sunday September 10

Morning Session - 8:30 to 1:00

GAIN 2017 Theme

Each year for have a theme that serves as a focal point for our presentations and discussions for that year. This year our theme is:

Making Connections to Foster Meaningful Change & Innovation

The central focus of GAIN is the network of professionals to be able to connect and share, since this is the tenth meeting of GAIN and we want to emphasize the connections in the network more than ever. There is strength and wisdom in connections and it is through connections that meaningful change can and does occur. If you are interested in meaningful change and learning join us. To apply go: http://www.thegainnetwork.com/ 

The GAIN Story

GAIN started in 2007 but the genesis of GAIN goes back to the start of my coaching career in 1969. It is forged in my experience early in my career when I was able to gather in an Intense concentrated setting with bright inquisitive minds in one place to share and learn. It quickly became clear to me that anytime I could gather with professional colleagues to exchange ideas that my performance as a coach would improve. It started to come together for me in July 1972 at the first AAU Learning By Doing Track & Field Clinic. This clinic lasted four days from 7:00 AM in the morning to 9:00 PM at night and then there were the discussions about what we had learning that went late into the night. I came away from that experience vowing to repeat that experience wherever and whenever possible. It was career changing for me. I now had a network of coaches I could communicate with, I no longer felt like the Lone Ranger. Going forward into the 1980’s a group of us would gather at every opportunity, usually at National Championships or conventions with the express purpose to share ideas and cross check each others training programs.

In 1992 when I started teaching Building and Rebuilding The Athlete seminar which started as a two and one half day seminar and then after a couple of years it was shortened to two days. It was a broad overview of all the components of training and rehab for the athlete. The emphasis as the name indicated was on the complete athlete, making connection and emphasizing linkages.

Needless to say it was not in-depth, the volume of information and format only allowed us to scratch the surface. Each seminar someone would ask me if I ever was going to something beyond Building and Rebuilding. Because of various factors I was unable to until 2007 when we had our first GAIN at the Holiday Inn Sports complex in Sunrise Florida. There were twenty brave souls in attendance (that included faculty and staff); I don’t think any of us had a good idea what it would be. We are now looking at beginning GAIN X this June. It has evolved and grown into the career changing experience I hoped it would be. We have highly motivated attendees who are professionals in their various areas and a superb faculty who are high-level practitioners who have their skin in the game, they know through practice based evidence what it takes to achieve at the highest levels of sport.

Join us in this learning journey of professional development. To apply go to http://www.thegainnetwork.com/. There is no experience like this total immersion for five days with highly motivated professionals. I am only a facilitator, a catalyst - the strength is in the network & the subsequent connections into a learning community of highly motivated professional eager to challenge ideas, generate new ideas and take a different look at old one.

GAIN Mission/Philosophy

The GAIN Network’s goal is to provide a global platform for education, innovation and motivation in Athletic Development.  We focus on developing and strengthening the connection between all elements of the sports performance team to produce adaptable athletes that are prepared for optimum performance.  

GAIN 2017 Theme

Making connections to foster meaningful change and innovation

Past Participating Organizations

English Football Association

Rugby Football Union (RFU)

Texas Tech University

University of North Carolina

Pace University

Rice University

Houston Rockets

Portland Trailblazers

Milwaukee Bucks

Washington Capitals

Phoenix Coyotes

Philadelphia Flyers

Australian Institute of Sport

US Skiing

Northampton Saints (Rugby)

Arsenal Football Club

West Ham United Football Club

Everton Football Club

Scottish Rugby

Scottish Institute of Sport

New South Wales Institute of Sport

Queensland Academy of Sport

FBI

Leicester Tigers (Rugby)

Queensland Reds (Rugby)

Manhattan College

ACT Brumbies (Rugby)

Essenton Football Club

University of California Berkeley

Collegiate School, Richmond Virginia

North Shore Country Day School, Chicago

Philadelphia Union Soccer Academy

Westmont College

University of Minnesota

University of Arkansas

University of Illinois

Scottish Athletics

University of Oregon

Arsenal Football Club

Philadelphia Eagles

The GAINcast Podcast

Join us on the new GAIN cast podcast

• Website for GAINcast: http://www.hmmrmedia.com/gaincast/
• Subscribe on iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gaincast/id1076641143
• Subscribe with other apps link: http://gaincast.libsyn.com/rss

Thanks to Martin Bingisser at HMMR Media for hosting the podcast. Over the next weeks I will have some of the GAIN faculty members on as guests. I would like to hear from you about topics of interest to you.