Blog

Welcome to the Excelsior blog. It is a mix of current research and thoughts on Athlete and Coach Development, Strength and Conditioning and personal reflections.

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Thanks for taking the time to read it.

James Marshall

1. Summer Reading Recommendations

   3rd July 2020 12:34 pm

   Books for the holidays Everyone who reads this post will have experienced the Pandemic lock down differently. Some of you may have had more time to read, some of you may have cut back on books due to finances, some of you will not have had time to read as you try to balance home […]

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2. Coaches’ Coffee Break: Books

   20th April 2020 10:42 am

   Reading ideas for sports coaches and teachers On Friday I had a virtual coffee break chat with several of my GAIN Europe colleagues. We met for 30 mins and talked about what books we are currently reading. The idea was to simulate the informal learning that we miss when we don’t hang out in person, […]

   0 Comments | Read More | cpd, reading

3. COVID-19 – Advice to self-employed sports coaches

   1st April 2020 11:23 am

   Self-employed sports coaches: financial advice. Current global circumstances will inevitably leave the self-employed coaching workforce feeling uncertain about the months ahead. Experience has taught me not to wait and see what happens, but to try and get in front. My good friend Alan Reed, of Scottish Swimming, has helped prepare advice for their self-employed workforce. […]

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4. Exercising at home: Children and adults

   23rd March 2020 3:41 pm

   3 new tools for you and your children to use at home Thank you to all our athletes, members, parents and colleagues for showing their support in this pandemic. It is very much appreciated. We have been working on two new systems quietly in the background for a couple of months that we are now […]

   0 Comments | Read More | home exercise, movement, physical education

5. Creating Frankenstein’s Monster in the Gym

   28th February 2020 3:22 pm

   “Man,” I cried, “how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!” ― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein I was asked last week my thoughts on using the barbell hip thrust in the gym. I had no thoughts on the matter, I don’t use it as an exercise tool. Rather than, ‘What do you use to develop hip extension?’ […]

   0 Comments | Read More | coordination, speed training, strength training

6. How to get fit for sport

   25th February 2020 9:21 am

   A comprehensive guide to getting fit for your sport

   Over the past few years we have published many guides on sports fitness; based on both research and our extensive coaching experience. Our athletes have benefitted from the principles and systems that we have developed.

   3 Comments | Read More | fitness, p.e., sport

7. GAIN Deep Dive Review

   22nd January 2020 3:27 pm

   A review of the first ever GAIN Deep Dive on Foundational Strength I always write a review of my experiences at the GAIN conference. This is part of my reflective practice. As I was hosting and co-presenting on this ‘mini-GAIN’ held in Devon, I thought someone else would be better placed to reflect. Mark Sheppard […]

   2 Comments | Read More | cpd, GAIN, reflective practice

8. Do a Health Diagnostic in 2020

   31st December 2019 9:38 am

   Are you healthy? How do you know? There is more to measuring health than being able to squeeze into your summer jeans. (Although, if they are from the summer of ’87 that might be as accurate as anything else). If you check the tyres, water and oil in your car this winter, or you get […]

   0 Comments | Read More | fitness, goal setting, health, nutrition

9. Four things I have learnt in 2019

   11th December 2019 2:58 pm

   I have learnt lots in 2019, but here are some of the key things. Some of them I should have known before, but have drifted away from or been blown off course. Thanks to all the members of Excelsior Athletic Development Club for helping me improve my coaching this year and inspiring me to try […]

   0 Comments | Read More | reflective practice

10. Top 5 books of 2019

    9th December 2019 3:02 pm

    Looking for some books to give as gifts for Christmas? Here are my Top 5 books of 2019, plus a simple reflection of the rest that I have read. Sports coaches and p.e. teachers are often quick to jump on the latest book that is doing the rounds. Many of these are over-hyped and do […]

    2 Comments | Read More | book review, books