Blog
Sprint Training Mechanics: Frans Bosch
“Humans aren’t descended from apes, but are a bad crossbreed of kangaroos and horses”
Frans Bosch delivered 4 great presentations at GAIN V this year each one packed full of information and ideas.
This included two practical sessions. One was gym based and one was running based. That helped immensely with my understanding and application.
Read MoreCricket Fitness
Cricketers need to be fit to play.
On initial appearance cricket may not appear to be the most physical of sports. Brief periods of activity are followed by longer periods of rest. Apart from fast bowlers who can perform long series of overs, the rest of the team do not look to be that active.
However, this is a mistaken concept as it is precisely this intermittent high intensity activity that requires the Cricketer to be very fit. The movements are fast and dynamic and have to be sustained throughout a morning or afternoon in the field.
Read MoreHow to reduce the risk of ACL injury for females.
“Female athletes have a 4-6 times higher incidence of ACL injury than do male athletes participating in the same landing and pivoting sports” (1)
Why are Females at Higher Risk of ACL Injury?
Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can have a direct effect on neuro-muscular performance.
Read MoreHow much sleep is enough after training?
Sleep deprivation has shown to
increase cortisol levels,
decrease activity of human growth hormone,
and reduce the efficiency for glucose metabolism.
Recovery Strategies for commited sports people
The Recovery Pyramid
I use a pyramid method of recovery- there is little point going onto the next level until you have done the first. The further down you go, the less proven are the strategies.
Read MoreWhat is Old School Coaching?
Is being “Old School” better than “New Skool”?
I got called and “Old school coach” last week mainly because I avoid overcomplicating things.
I choose what information I give to an athlete. My knowledge obviously has boundaries but my object is to make the athlete better at their sport.
Read MoreTraining Design Do’s and Don’ts: Gary Winckler
Train to the athlete’s strengths
Gary Winckler has 38 years of coaching experience behind him. He has taken track athletes to every Olympic Games since the 1984 Olympics.
(Pictured to my right, with P.E. specialist Greg Thompson)
More impressively, each of those athletes has had a Personal Best or Season Best at the Games.
He knows how to prepare for the big event.
Read MoreHow to Train Before Breakfast: The Great Gama
I always like it when I meet a young athlete and they tell me they do a few press ups and sit ups in the morning before breakfast or at night. It shows me that in the words of Muhammad Ali “they have the will, I just train the skill”.
Read MoreMonitoring Overtraining: The 4 Hs
“You’ve Got To Be In Top Physical Condition. Fatigue Makes Cowards Of Us All.
Vince Lombardi.
But, in order to get in top physical condition, athletes risk doing too much, resting too little and can get fatigued.
Read MoreHow to Eat a Big Elephant
“It’s a big elephant: you can’t eat it all at once.”
This sums up trying to get a sports team fit in season: there is so much to do, so little time, so many variables.
“How can I get my team fit?” is a question I tried to answer yesterday on the CPD day with the Level 1 and Level 2 S&C coaches.
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