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 wrote this review of the Deep Dive.

“Having known James Marshall for at least 8 years I am familiar with both his work and his philosophy. I know it has been shaped by the 9 years that James has attended the GAIN conference held in Houston, USA.

To have Vern Gambetta share the experience and knowledge accumulated over 50 years of coaching I could see the impact this has had on James and others in the group who have previously attended these events.

There is a saying ‘stop learning and you stop living’. Staying curious and open while being grounded in good science and the evidence of good practice are tenets of both Vern and James.

Throughout the two days whether in the theory or practical sessions there was a clear rationale for the information shared. We were all encouraged to participate and contribute through the collective experience of those in the room from different disciplines and sports.

Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN)

‘GAIN’ is very much a network. which I understood better as the workshop progressed and subsequently as a WhatsApp group was formed amongst the attendees afterwards.

 Listening to the ‘GAIN’ podcasts reinforced this dynamic. Hearing people share their journey in physical development and high performance coaching where the driver is what works best for my athlete, their ability and the demands placed on them is a welcome relief from the tsunami of self-promoted, ill-informed claims found on the internet.

I came away with a clearer overview of what a well-designed programme looks like:

• Appropriate to the age/gender/ability/sport.
• Progressive, imaginative and grounded in sound fundamentals.

 I reviewed what I was doing and reshaped the structure of the sessions I was running with my developmental tennis players (10 – 16 yrs old). I am excited to see the impact this will have on the athletes and private clients I currently work with. I feel I have refined the tools I have been using to greater effect in the time I have with the people I work with.

‘Athletic Development’ in my experience is lower down the food-chain in most sporting environments. Buy-in from athletes, parents, and coaches is key, and educating and providing supporting information to these stake-holders is an important element in my coaching role.

Having the wealth of information shared over the two days from both Vern and James was having access to a deep well which I know I will be drawing from for years to come.

Human-beings are complex, multilayered, adaptive systems of physiology, neurology, culture and belief systems.  It’s what makes this work so interesting.

Knowing there is a support system out there to support one’s own coaching journey through this minefield has been my biggest Gain (pun intended).“

Mark Sheppard

More learning opportunities

Thanks, Mark for sharing. If any other attendees had a comment, please leave below. This was the first Deep Dive, but we shall be running others. Please contact myself or Vern if you are interested in attending or hosting.

In the mean time, I am preparing for GAIN in June, where I am looking forward to once again learning from great practitioners from around the world.