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"It's the people business stupid": GAIN 2013
17/06/2013 - 17:01
Coaches are in the people business I have just returned from another fantastic GAIN (Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network) in Houston, Texas. The 5 day event was full of ideas, tips and sharing of...

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Athletic Training system

Why hiring an Information Architect will turn you into a winner

Posted On Wednesday, 13th March 2013 at 08:12

"I mean architect as in the creating of systemic, structural, and orderly principles to make something work — the thoughtful making of either artifact, or idea, or policy that informs because it is clear"

Richard Saul Wurman

Originally designed as a concept to deal with organising and displaying online information and layouts, information architecture could as easily be applied to coaching.

Pre season training and exam pressure

Posted On Wednesday, 16th May 2012 at 08:15

I saw this quote yesterday:

“a pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist waits for it to change, a leader adjusts the sails.”  

(source unknown) sent by John Mallett.

Fitness training for Field Hockey: Part 2

Posted On Wednesday, 09th May 2012 at 07:30

How to get fit for Hockey

Last week we looked at the demands of the game, now some tips for training.

Strength

anne panter Strength training should be incorporated into programmes for all ages, this should be appropriate to the athlete and progressive 

Fitness training for Field Hockey: Part 1

Posted On Wednesday, 02nd May 2012 at 07:29

With the Olympic warm up event starting today I am going to look at the requirements for playing at top level and how an aspiring athlete can help to progress themselves.

The 3k medicine ball test: level 2 S&C course review

Posted On Monday, 02nd April 2012 at 07:08

The RFU 3k medicine ball test 

requires you to throw a medicine ball over your head for 3 km continuously!

crawlingWell it doesn't, but this was an example of the importance of terminology and how it affects coaching that we discussed over the last 3 days.  

We started off with "What is strength and conditioning?" and Camilla thought it sounds like a hair product.

Top 3 fitness apps for new ipad

Posted On Friday, 23rd March 2012 at 08:36

What apps are best for fitness?

You might want to take advantage of technology to help keep you motivated. Following the launch of the new iPad 3,  we took a look at the top mobile applications available to help you achieve your fitness goals. Here are 3 good ones:

Should I buy an IPad 3?

Posted On Wednesday, 07th March 2012 at 08:46

Should I buy an IPad 3?

Today is rumoured to be the launch of the new IPad 3. £600 is a lot of money, but buying one could be worthwhile if you can answer yes to one or both of these questions:

  • Will it make my job easier or more efficient?
  • Will it allow me to do better things?

If you intend to buy it as a fashion accessory, watch movies and then put your to-do list on it, then great if you can afford it (or someone gives you a free one). For me, I have to know that it will help my Coaching.

Where's the remote for me?

Posted On Friday, 02nd March 2012 at 08:40

remote controlCouch potatoes everywhere can change TV channels endlessly. You can play dvds or angry birds on your IPad 2 and switch between without getting off the sofa.

But real change is more difficult. Changing something that matters requires a bit more effort than pressing a button:

Make Leap Day Special

Posted On Wednesday, 29th February 2012 at 08:30

February 29th only happens every 4 years, so make it count.  Today is your chance to do something that you always wanted to do, but haven't got round to.

It could be the day you start a new hobby, start your new sideline business, register for an evening class or visit a different place.

What is stopping you?

You have the idea, you have the passion, but you still haven't got started. There may be a couple of big scary looking obstacles in your way.

Stuntman Training: warming up

Posted On Friday, 24th February 2012 at 08:44

This week I got asked to train a young man who wants to become a Stuntman (next week Batman, the week after Train Driver?). He has been following a running programme, alternating with the ubiquitous beach weights.

Normally I would start with a screening of some sort, but I thought we could just see how he moves first using some of our varied warm ups that we do. Short of asking him to dive off a cliff or crash a burning car, I thought that might give me an idea of how well prepared he was for stunt work.

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