Functional Path Training

What if?

What if there were no strength coaches?

What if there were no personal trainers?

What if off season football was playing baseball or running track?

What if there were no NFL or NBA combine?

What id there were no Nike, Reebok and Under Armour throwing money around?

What if there was mandatory daily Physical Education from kindergarten through twelfth grade?

What if coaches were trained teachers?

What if sport were school based?

What if there were no travel baseball, soccer and basketball?

What if there was no freshman eligibility in college?

What if there were no Internet or social media?

What if there were no 24-hour news and sport channels?

The list could go on and on. I know this was the “good old days” when I started coaching in 1969. Maybe an old  being nostalgic. We cannot turn back the clock but we can learn from the past. There are many lessons from those days that apply directly to the problems we face in sport coaching today. Sport does not exist outside of society; it mirrors and magnifies the good and bad of society. Hopefully this will get all of you thinking about solutions.

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.

GAIN 2016 - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is GAIN?

This is a community of professionals 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.

Where can I learn more about GAIN?

Go to http://www.thegainnetwork.com/ or call 941-378-1778. You can also email Vern Gambetta at [email protected]

How do I apply?

Go to http://tinyurl.com/nb7rx2j and complete your application. 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.

Is GAIN a certification?

No it is not a certification program. It is a professional development network; there is no accreditation or certification associated with it.

Is GAIN a boot camp?

No it is not a boot camp. There is an active learning component that attendees participate if they are willing and able but the focus is on teaching and learning through lecture, demonstration and discussion.

How much does GAIN cost?

Tuition is $1875. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and lodging.

Who are the faculty?

We have a faculty 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.

Coaching

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.

Vern Gambetta, Founder of GAIN Network, Currently Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems

Sport Science

Ken Clark, PHD, West Chester State University PhD in Biomechanics, Researcher in Human Performance, Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCS, USA-W), interested in all things speed

Brian McCormick, PhD is an author, basketball coach, and consultant. He has published 21 books for basketball coaches, including 21st Century Guide to Individual Skill Development, coached youth through professional basketball in the United States and Europe, and advised coaches at all levels. 

Athletic Development

Jim Radcliffe, Head S&C Coach University of Oregon

Mike Bahn, US Skiing & Snowboard Strength & Conditioning Coordinator. Formerly with Phoenix Coyotes & Arizona Diamondbacks.

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

Sports Medicine/Rehab

Bill Knowles, ATC Philadelphia Union Academy and HP Sports

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

Randy Ballard, ATC Assistant Trainer, University of Illinois Working With Track & Field and Volleyball

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

Physical Education

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

How does the network work?

The GAIN annual meeting is just the beginning. Participants have access to a secure website that offers access to an online forum and library. There are periodic scheduled hangouts for GAIN members. In addition GAIN members are eligible to come back each year at a reduced rate.

Are there CEU’s?

Yes there are CEU’s from the NSCA and NATA.

When is GAIN?

June 14 to June 18, 2016

Where is GAIN?

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

Play

PLAY first! - That is where it all starts. Sport is not supposed to be work it is play. Start with free play that is natural and instinctive; it does not require coaching or supervision. In free play the children, not the adults, determine the structure so they follow their instincts and explore all dimensions of movement with the only limitations their imaginations. The youngster will learn the joy of athletic movement through discovery. Through play they learn how to compete, how to win and lose, how to settle disputes on their own without adult supervision and interference. We must let them be kids first! We have deviated from this in search of the holy grail of early specialization and on accruing the magic 10,000 hours that is the supposed guarantee of athletic excellence. This is philosophically and pedagogically flawed. It destroys kids. Free the kids, let them play. Give back recess.

Youth Sports Problems – Some Solutions

Here are the conclusions to my presentation on LTAD at the 2015 NSCA Convention in Orlando. We know the problems we need to focus on solutions, here are mine:

Reinstitute mandatory daily physical education K – 12 NOW!

Stop trying to identify the athletically gifted instead lets give them all the gift of athleticism

Declare “Adult Free Zone” where kids can just play

More play days – Les structure along with fewer leagues and tournaments

Some final thoughts:

DO participate in a variety of sports and activities

DO NOT try to “hurry up” the development process

DO NOT specialize too early

DO NOT lose sight of long-term objectives

         What is the final goal?

         Were good life skills taught?

GAIN 2015 Lessons – Greg Thompson on PE as a Foundation

Greg is a elementary school PE teacher in Farmington Hills Michigan. It is hard to find a word to express this mans depth of knowledge and passion. If there is something more genuine than genuine Greg is it. In addition to teaching PE Greg also coaches soccer achieving USA Soccer A Badge, the highest level of certification in the US. I asked Greg to kickoff GAIN with a presentation on PE as the Foundation. Needless to say he knocked our socks off. He set the tempo for the whole program with his ideas.

He started by surveying experts from around the world on what was important in a good foundation established by PE:

Moving Well

Static Balance – Ability to make a stable base

Dynamic Balance

Object control skill and ability to combine them with locomotor skills

Landing Mechanics

Flexibility – Only if you can express with balance, strength and speed

General Strength

Aerobic Fitness

Behavior

Some other thoughts from Greg:

“Figure it out” – Give them the tools to solve moment problems and let them figure it out. They are OK to express themselves through movement.

He treats the body like a paintbrush

Create desirable difficulties

It is one thing to value it; it is another thing to have a plan for teaching it.

Games become an express of skill so teach skill first

Behavior must be addressed – Growing people into responsible adults

Not sure my brief words can do justice to Greg’s ideas and methods. Greg is the teacher we wish we all had in school and the teacher we want our children to have. Greg came to the first GAIN eight years ago as an attendee. He truly represents what GAIN is about – Quality, excellence, passion, sharing and humanity. Thanks Greg for helping make GAIN what it is.

Global Coach Conference Vierumäki 2015: early bird deadline June 30th!

Early bird deadline June 30th!

I am privileged to present at this conference , hope to see you there.

The early bird deadline for the ICCE Global Coach Conference in Vierumäki, Finland is Tuesday, June 30^th.  See www.icce-2015.com for all the details and to register.

This will be a great opportunity to expand your coaching knowledge and develop your coaching network with an incredible group of coaching leaders:  Baroness Sue Campbell, architect of the UK team at London 2012; outstanding coaches including Erkka Westerlund (Finland – ice hockey) Gerard Kemkers (Netherlands speed skating), Per Nymoen (Norway cross country skiing), and Vern Gambetta (USA athletics and physical preparation); applied researchers like Wade Gilbert, Wayne Allison, Pierre Trudel, and Jean Coté; some of the best Coach Developers in the world – Penny Crisfield, Kirsi Hämäläinen, Liam Moggan and Kathy Brook; high performance system developers Leena Paavolainen and Adrian Beurgi; Dr. Frank Dick, motivational speaker and coach of world leading athletes in multiple sports; and many more!

 

Register today – we look forward to seeing you in August!

 

John Bales

President, International Council for Coaching Excellence

Global Coaching Office

Leeds Beckett University

Headingley Stadium, St. Michael’s Lane, Leeds LS6 3BU, UK

House of Cards

How can you expect an athlete to excel at the highest level if they are physically illiterate? You would not think of asking someone to write a book if they can’t spell, punctuate or construct a correct sentence. That is what we are asking our athletes to do. Know the basics of movement; combine the basics into more complex movements, but never stray far from the basics. Simplicity will yield complexity. If you try to go too fast too soon without mastery of fundamentals then you are building a house of cards. It is not if it will fall, it is when. This is the genesis of inconsistent performance at later stages of development and definitely the cause of injuries. Injury prevention and performance enhancement start with physical literacy. Not real sexy and exciting but necessary. Build you athlete on a strong foundation and the construct strong walls not a house of cards that will blow over with the slightest breeze.

GAIN VIII June 17 to 21, 2015

We are almost there to the start of GAIN 2015 our eighth gathering. Each one has better than the previous one, this year is shaping up to be the best ever with new delegates from all over the sporting world. It has developed into the professional development community/network I hoped it would be when I started it. We have three areas of focus 1) Physical Education 2) Sports Medicine/Rehab 3) Coaching/Athletic Development. There is no better experience than top professionals in these three areas asking questions, challenging each other and sharing.

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

GAIN VIII Theme

Applying practice based evidence to ensure a difference in performance.

Each day we have a theme that directs out teaching and attention. The daily themes for this year are:

Day One – Getting Started

Day Two – The Foundation

Day Three – The Application

Day Four – The Next Level

Day Five – Bring It Home

Hopefully next year you will be able to join us for GAIN or a GAIN specialty event starting next fall.

Creating Robots

In the name of teaching technique beware of the tendency to needlessly segment and break skill into disconnected parts. This takes away the flow of the movement and disconnects rather than connects. Teach through discovery and by giving the athlete increasingly difficult movement problems to solve. If you want to know how to do it watch Karate Kid Part One. Great examples of use of external cues and implicit learning.