High School XC Culture

The one thing I've noticed with the best schools around the state are that all the athletes, even the JV athletes, seem to be really invested in the sport. I'm not sure if it's just the cool thing to be a part of, or if with all the social media and constant acknowledgment of fast runners around influences kids to try to be at that level.

Another thing that seems vital is having a strong summer and winter program. Athletes seem to really focus on the lifestyle of running. I'm not sure what the coaches do specifically to get this going at their school, or if it's athlete-driven, but I think there's a reason some programs are exceptional year after year. It's par for the course to train 6-7 days a week, set big goals, and are almost ostracized if you don't conform to that mentality at these schools... Always an interesting topic

We have been a top 6 program in our state for 20+ years.

The best advice I can give is to think like a kid.

- Make the practices a place they want to be. I don’t even need to take attendance anymore. They don’t want to miss out on what is going on. You know you are doing something right when the parents complain that they can’t go away with their family because their kid does not want to miss what the team is doing.

- Have exciting away trips that are earned by summer training. Make summer training fun.

- You can have them work hard but also have fun. Your best recruiter is them telling their friends and siblings how great the team is.

I was on a two time state championship team in high school and the main thing was we were all super good friends, minus a few lame freshman who didn’t like some minor “hazing” which was nothing more than making them carry water jugs and such. Allow the kids to good around and be dumb and you’ll have a team people want to show up to and run well on. Don’t try to push them to be what they aren’t.

Sorry Dirty T but “don’t try to push them to be what they aren’t “ makes no sense. That’s a coaches and teams job. Young runners aren’t disciplined, committed or focused in most cases. Coaches and good team culture can push fast and slow athletes to be better in a dozen different ways. Yes having fun and goofing off should be part of that, but pushing kids outside of their various physical and psychological comfort zones is a good thing.

successful teams meet up and run outside of practice year round. Top runners do xc and track and don't have any other sports on these teams. The coach is knowledgeable about distance running and reads letsrun - he is capable of explaining lydiard, daniels, and other coaches. The student body is large enough to support a large team.

How do you structure summer training? Are coaches present every day or are the kids running on their own or with their friends and they upload to strava or something?

And what about the commitment of the athletes you've had over the years? Where do you think that comes from? The success your program has year after year and/or the goals that are set at the beginning of the season?

I'm taking over a program that hasn't ever done summer miles and trying to put together a plan for next year.

We meet as a team with coaches present 3-4 times a week over the summer, starting the week after track ends. Our school spans two towns so we usually try to do at least one practice in each town, and once a week in the morning. That makes it easier for those who have summer jobs or can't drive to get to some of the practices. We also are able to get a bus to take us to a park about 30 minutes away a few times a month. It has more challenging terrain and is a great team bonding time.

Give out a training plan with at least 3 levels based on experience/fitness - we make the "run on your own" days easy 3-6 miles and any "workouts" are done with the team.

You can read every book and have big goals but you need to know who you have and their level of fitness or it will be frustrating for everyone. Respect and listen to your athletes. Know the "Why?" to each workout and base it on reality.

Get to know what they thought worked well, previous amount of miles, strength training, core, etc., what the jr high program is like.

It might take some time to develop culture and success, especially if it had been lacking in the past or it might happen right away given the right combination of attitudes and talent. Either way, have fun and good luck