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Your chance to run faster
25th March 2025
The father of a 9-year-old boy asked me if I could coach his son 1-1 with his running technique. I said, ‘No.’ Boys that age should be playing outside with their friends, not stuck in an awkward situation with an experienced coach and an expectant father watching on. Unfortunately, the boy attends a private school […]
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Movement Patterns

Adapted or adaptable athletes?

multi skill developmentI had the chance over the last few days to look at different people of various ages and sporting backgrounds trying to learn new exericses.

It was interesting that some of the older people were better able to pick up new movment patterns, especially those who came from a trampolining background.

When it came to multidirectional movements, skipping, coordinating left leg with right hand etc, some of the younger people really struggled, despite being regular sports participants.

This supports the theory that sports people today are overdrilled in specific movement patterns. They are not given new and challenging exercises as part of their warm ups or conditioning programmes.

I have worked with trampolinists previously, some of the training progression is similar to gymnastics, so co-ordination is improved. When you look at under 5s being told to specialise in football\ rugby\ tennis etc you wonder how this helps the child develop.

When it comes to team selection\ talent identification do the coaches look at someone who can adapt to new challenges, or do they pick the 11 year old who has the best pass in a stationary position whose Dad has had them practicing that one move for 2 years?

Unless you are performing a set routine such as tumbling, or a free kick, sport requires adaptation to constantly changing environments, at speed and under pressure. Training should also match these demands.

Read more on Motor skills development 

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Josh Steels: wheelchair tennis
I started working with James 3 years ago via the TASS programme. When James first met me, physically I was nowhere the best I could be. Since working with James I have seen vast improvements in my fitness and strength which has been put into great use on court. Each session is worked around making sure I am able to get the best quality training as well as catering for my chronic pain and fatigue levels. On top of this James has always been happy to meet at facilities that are best for myself meaning I could fit training sessions in on route to tournaments or camps.
 
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