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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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strength and conditioning course

Kettlebells are insane: strength and conditioning course review

Posted On Tuesday, 05th March 2013 at 08:23

"Do kettlebells cure cancer?"

Was my response to one of the candidates love for kettlebells.The Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Course always throws up a new "theme" this time round it was "Why?"

Before you start any programming or use an exercise, you should ask "Why am I doing this?" You need to know:

Flotsam and Jetsam: Level 2 S&C Course review

Posted On Monday, 26th November 2012 at 08:20

Adaptability is the key to coaching.

taunton flood Floods hit Taunton, and the Rugby Club suffered as a result. This meant having to adapt the recent course structure and location at the last minute. Having talked about the importance of adaptability on previous courses, I had to put it into action myself.

Level 1 S&C Course: Challenging Assumptions

Posted On Monday, 12th November 2012 at 08:17

"You must be the endurance cyclist?"

strength and conditioning course I have just finished delivering a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coaching Course in Taunton.

Coaching disabled athletes: Global Coaches House

Posted On Friday, 12th October 2012 at 07:42

Paralympics Wrap Up

After watching the blind football team play at the Paralympics, I went to the final session of the Paralympics Global Coaches House, chaired by Professor Pat Duffy.

What is your number 1 coaching concern?

Posted On Friday, 05th October 2012 at 09:19

"If in doubt, do no harm"

On Tuesday I asked a group of coaches from different sports what their main concern was in regards to strength training. It came down to these two:

Not hurting my players
I don't know where to begin

With so much information out there, a lot of it conflicting, these coaches were not sure how to begin, or what was appropriate for their players.

I come across this a lot. Parents, teachers and coaches really do find this difficult.

Are you a Dot Collector or a Dot Connector?

Posted On Monday, 17th September 2012 at 13:37

Connect Dots, Don't just collect them

Dot collection This came up time and again over the weekend as aspiring coaches sat their Level 2 S&C exam on Saturday and when we ran a 3 hour intensive workshop on Athletic Development on Sunday.

Anyone can go to a workshop, read a book or watch a YouTube video and get a drill or exercise.

It's not about facts and stats: Level 1 S&C course review

Posted On Monday, 21st May 2012 at 07:04

A quick reflection on the Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Course I ran at the weekend in Taunton.

This 2 day course had a great mix of candidates: a level 3 coach, an ex Army PTI, students, teachers, a powerlifter and a Personal Trainer, as well as current and ex sports players.

No women on this course, which is unusual nowadays.

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!

crawling Well 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.

6 ways to get better as a strength and conditioning coach.

Posted On Monday, 12th December 2011 at 09:08

I am pleased to announce that on Saturday 6 people passed the level 1 Strength and Conditioning for Sport Course, and 2 passed the level 2.

There were some excellent examples of coaching practice on the day, using skills and knowledge gained from the previous workshops, their studies and their own experiences.

Level 1 course at Taunton RFC: Adapatability and Empathy

Posted On Wednesday, 09th November 2011 at 08:23

The tragic events of Friday night impacted upon the delivery and organisation of the Level 1 Strength and Conditioning course I ran at Taunton RFC last weekend. The staff of the Club and some of the attendees had witnessed the events and were shaken by it. The police and emergency services were exhausted and stretched from dealing with the crash and also the collapsed wall and flood in Bridgwater on the same night. They closed parts of the Club down to allow their investigation to continue.

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