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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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Roughty Toughty Athletes
Why athletes get niggles
Working with a decathlete last week, I said that I was going to make him into a “roughty toughty track and field athlete“.
He said that “There is no such thing as a roughty toughty track and field athlete.” He has a point. A lot of athletes are continually coming down with injuries or “niggles”. Tyson Gay being an example who apparently can’t train for more than 2 weeks without getting injured.
A couple of things might be the reason:
- A low level of intital conditioning, with overcompeting from a young age. This leads to an underlying weakness that is difficult to rectify at senior level.
- Too much specific work on phasic muscles in the gym at senior level. Working on specifics is good, doing squats, cleans and then sprints in close succession leads to overuse.
It could be seen as more general work at a younger age, more directed and planned work at a senior age.
An example of what we can work on is shown in the case studies here
- 3 winter training tips for athletics
- How to train young athletes for the long term
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Working with James has been a pleasure and education for all of the fencers and coaches, from beginner fencers and trainee fencers, up to international fencers and coaches with decades of experience. We really appreciate James' desire to challenge assumptions but simultaneously his ability to listen to both fencers and coaches on technical and tactical points. He manages to keep his sessions fresh and innovative without losing sight of our central goals. His sessions are challenging and fun and his attention detail is a tribute to his professionalism. Thank you.
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