Dr Ekkart Arbeit seminar - audio file

Posted On Monday, 30th August 2010 at 07:33

Just listened to a great lecture by Ekkart Arbeit here. Arbeit was involved in Coaching in East Germany for 25 years and has since been Coaching Athletics around the world, producing many Olympians.

Ekkart makes many great points, one is his 3 key things that every Coach must have:

1. Teach good exercise technique.
2. Have good records- information necessary for progress and evaluation.
3. Have a large exercise inventory.

I think point 3 is especially relevant- compare that to a recent experience where 3 young coaches who are all "accredited" didn't know (and were unable to perform) simple exercises,that we were going to Coach young athletes on. Instead, there view point was that they should be doing umpteen variations of cleans and clean pulls to develop overall athleticism! I know who I would rather trust with young athletes.

Ekkart then emphasises the need to work on exercises relevant to the biological maturity of the athlete, rather than the specificity of the sport.

Another point he has found is the over emphasis on maximal strength training. Instead individual weaknesses should be looked at and worked on, as well as special strength for each athlete and their sport when they reach a stage of maturity that allows that.

Well worth listening to.

(Thanks to Paula Jardine for pointing it out to me).