Posts by Team
Swimming dryland training: Nick Folker seminar
Nick Folker presenting at GAIN in June this year. I learnt more in this seminar about so called “dryland” training than I have done speaking to swim coaches over the last 10 years.
Read MoreExcelsior ADC Summer Update
Summer Training and the Olympics Here is an overview of what is happening at Excelsior Athletic Development Club over the next 2 months, including news of 4 athletes I have coached who are competing in the Olympics. I have included links to timetables to when to watch our 3 main sports on TV. Athletics Training continues every…
Read MoreSummer reading 2016
Book recommendations for reading this summer I hope you get time for some summer reading (if we get a summer). I try to read more fiction or biographies of non work related people whilst on holiday, rather than technical manuals. Here are my Top 5 summer reading books for coaches I have read so far this year…
Read MoreDistrict 13- Parkour, Gymnastics
I watched the French film District 13 a couple of weeks ago. There is some truly impressive athletic movement in this film. The freestyle attitude of Parkour, making use of the local environment, looking at everyday objects in a different light, is in total contrast to some sports environments where free expression is constrained.
I wonder whether young children especially would be better off developing this type of movement and awareness, rather than being taken to a class and put through highly disciplined and structured movement patterns.
How can I stop my child getting injured?
The evidence is quite stark if your child is spending too much time in organised activity rather than free play, if they have specialised in one sport and if they have gone through their growth spurt, then they are more likely to get injured (1).
Read MoreMiddle distance running: science, myths & practice
“Why get obsessed with details if they don’t matter yet?” Steve Magness, at GAIN 2016 presenting on “Current concepts of endurance training“. I have been privileged to meet up with Steve for 3 GAIN conferences, and his thoughts have greatly shaped the work I do with our Middle Distance Running group. Here are some of…
Read MorePlyometrics and Agility: Jim Radcliffe
“Try to be more like a super ball not a tomato”
Jim Radcliffe’s advice on plyometric training rang true as he went through a series of progressions for plyometrics.
Top Broscience Myths
Broscience is overrated I am privileged to work with many good athletes, and I interact with many excellent coaches. I last worked in the Health and Fitness industry 15 years ago (pre Internet boom). It therefore came as a shock to me the other day when I assessed some Personal Trainers in their fitness studio with their…
Read MoreMovement and People: GAIN 2016
Coach education at its best “Movement and people” is how Andy Stone summed up his approach to coaching. That matches my philosophy too. Care about the people and teach them to move well; good things happen as a result. At Vern Gambetta’s GAIN conference in Houston, Texas, there were many good coaches (as well as…
Read MoreCoach development
Annual Conference on Athletic Development In the early hours of tomorrow morning I fly to Houston to attend the GAIN conference for 5 days. This will be my 5th visit to Vern Gambetta’s athletic development masterclass. There is no other conference like it: containing a mixture of practical sessions, lectures, talks and discussions. The diverse…
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