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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.
Comments are welcome (please leave your name) and you can subscribe by clicking on the RSS feed.
Thanks for taking the time to read it.
James Marshall
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Creating Frankenstein’s Monster in the Gym
“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 -
How to get fit for sport
A comprehensive guide to getting fit for your sport
3 Comments | Read More | fitness, p.e., 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. -
GAIN Deep Dive Review
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 -
Do a Health Diagnostic in 2020
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 -
Four things I have learnt in 2019
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 -
Top 5 books of 2019
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 -
The Joy of Movement
Jumping for joy; when was the last time you did that? What about Jogging for joy? Hardly sounds the same does it? I recently heard two people talking about their exercise regime. Everything was counted. They count calories, they count steps, they count miles and they count lengths in a pool. Their measure of progress […]
0 Comments | Read More | LTAD, physical education, physical literacy -
What is Athletic Development?
Athletic Development is a combination of planned, unplanned, organised and chaotic events that lead to a person’s overall physical and mental abilities to perform a variety of physical tasks, often within sport. Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) is a model that highlights different stages from infancy to adulthood and what types of activities are best […]
0 Comments | Read More | athletic development, LTAD, physical literacy -
Why are you still using the plank?
Why are teachers and coaches still using the plank? I have no idea when this exercise was introduced but, much like the Grey Squirrel, it has eliminated its predecessors and become the dominant species. I was coaching my ‘Strength and Co-ordination’ group last night and I asked them if they did the plank at school […]
0 Comments | Read More | core training, physical education, physical literacy -
Is your school stopping your child from learning?
“Education, with its supporting system of compulsory and competitive schooling, all its carrots and sticks, its grades, diplomas and credentials, now seems to me perhaps the most authoritarian and dangerous of all the social inventions of mankind. “ John Holt So says John Holt in his sublime book, “Instead of Education.“ There are many lessons […]
0 Comments | Read More | book review, education
Client Testimonials
Bath University
"James worked with the Exeter and Taunton based Southwest Talent Centre scholarship athletes. He is deeply knowledgeable about strength and conditioning and has excelled at working with young athletes. His sessions are challenging and fun and he has succeeded in blending a group of athletes from a diverse range of sports into a cohesive training group.
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