discuss
discuss
1. Understands that one training principle cannot be applied to all runners.
2. Understands that messing too much with a runner's natural mechanics is counterproductive.
3. Understands the need to listen to his runners, but will not allow the runners to talk themselves into mediocrity.
4. And for that matter, does not accept mediocrity. Loathes it; hates it with a passion.
5. Uses positive forms of motivation; knows when to yell and when to shut up.
6. Gives no one "star" treatment.
7. Understands the value of old-school training methods; technology too often inhibits.
There's a start...
Can think short term, medium term, long term.
Can deal with set backs and help athletes deal with them.
.....
Isn't driven by ego.
Knows and respects 'boundaries'.
4-Time Dan wrote:
1. Understands that one training principle cannot be applied to all runners.
2. Understands that messing too much with a runner's natural mechanics is counterproductive.
3. Understands the need to listen to his runners, but will not allow the runners to talk themselves into mediocrity.
4. And for that matter, does not accept mediocrity. Loathes it; hates it with a passion.
5. Uses positive forms of motivation; knows when to yell and when to shut up.
6. Gives no one "star" treatment.
7. Understands the value of old-school training methods; technology too often inhibits.
There's a start...
My coach doesn't have any of those qualities.
Empathy.
Progression.(Feedback)
communication.
Technical understanding.
Deep appreciation and understanding of and for the athlete.
Flexability of approach or plan.
imput from athlete into training plan.
agreed and understood methodology.
Mutual respectfulness
someone who has read a running book.
Something that can't be overlooked. No matter how badly I mess up a race or workout, my coach always puts a positive spin on it mainly by telling me stories of great athletes that went through the same struggles. He always keeps my confidence at a high level, not always easy. Confidence wins races.
otter wrote:
Confidence wins races.
Pfffft. I've seen confidence cost more races than win them. Talent and preparation win races, not confidence.
Holland Nass wrote:
otter wrote:Confidence wins races.
Pfffft. I've seen confidence cost more races than win them. Talent and preparation win races, not confidence.
I disagree....Overconfidence loses races, but you have to believe in yourself & your training to win. Here's what Joe Rubio told me after I had sucess with his system.
"Congrads man. Like I tell the runners around here, the program you follow amounts to maybe 5% of your success. The faith you put into it and the hard, smart work you apply yourself accounts for the other 95%. Take credit because realistically, this is your success story."
Doug E. wrote:
I disagree....Overconfidence loses races, but you have to believe in yourself & your training to win.
I challenge you to accurately define the difference between confidence and over-confidence; more importantly, define exactly WHEN confidence becomes over-confidence. (I'll give you hint: Over-confidence is that moment when you realize that your talent and preparation is not equal to your competition.)
Think about; at any given race, there can only be one winner. By your definition, everyone that didn't win (the rest of the field) was over-confident. It would be absurd to believe that over-confidence cost the rest of the field the victory.
I stand by my statement: Talent and preparation win races, not confidence.
(I will conceed that having some confidence doesn't always hurt.)
You have to understand that this could vary from athlete to athlete with the same coach. I have athletes on full rides who still call me for advice- as if I know better than their college coach. They tell me that they want me to be their coach again post-grad.
I have a very talented athlete who has a hirrible personality. She has a lunatic father and is insecure. Most of the school hates her, but she thinks she is the coolest kid there. She is excellent, but comes nowhere near her potential.
She is always telling her team mates that I don't know what I'm doing- even though she has had steady progression every year.
I care about my athletes from the best to the slowest. I give a lot to them in and out of the season. Most of them will tell you this, but this girl has a couple others bad mouthing me to the whole school.
Seriously, kids from other schools call me for out of season training advice. I am not saying I am some coaching god- but- I care about the kids because I love the sport and it shows.
This girl has placed high in States the last two years and I'm counting down the days until she graduates. I'm thinkiing of throwing a party to celebrate when she's gone-and I have two more years :(
Ability to listen
Holland:
My point was not to say that you were "wrong". My point was to say that you have to be confident in your preperation, training, and ability if you want to win/suceed. You can be the most fit person in the field, but if you don't believe it, you will not win. By the same token, if you believe that you believe that you are the best, but are not adequately prepared, you will not win either. I'm just saying that you need a combination of both parts, not just one or the other.
I have been reading "Duel In The Sun" lately, and I thing the book kind of illustrates my point. Beardsley prepared hard, and believed that he could win. Salazar thought that he could win, but wasn't as prepared as he could have/should have been. Salazar ultimately won, but did Beardsley actually lose?
Doesn't take any shit from a bunch of sniveling over entitled whimps who thing they know more than their coaches since they surf the net constantly.
Doug E. wrote:
I have been reading "Duel In The Sun" lately, and I thing the book kind of illustrates my point. Beardsley prepared hard, and believed that he could win. Salazar thought that he could win, but wasn't as prepared as he could have/should have been. Salazar ultimately won, but did Beardsley actually lose?
I don't see how this illustrates your point? Rather, it reinforces my point that confidence does not win races. Both were confident they could win, but it finally came down to talent. (I don't think anyone would claim that Beardsly was over-confident.)
Anyways, great chattin' back and forth with you. I'm off (graveyard) shift now, and going go home and grab some Zzzzzz's before the big feast.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I was kind of sying that Salazar was the overconfident one....But oh well...
Have a great Thanksgiving too!
*Believes that his program is the very best possible for his team, and effectively communicates (often without words!) that certitude to his athletes.
I've been lucky to have known/worked with some truly great coaches, and every one had the above quality. This doesn't mean that they were rigid, and that their program never changed; but when they changed something, their attitude was "I'm making the perfect program even better." They had an absolute belief in themselves, and the students picked up on it.
It's ironic that some coaches, in trying to figure out all the technical facets of a training program--in trying to be the best possible coach, in other words!--seem to dither. They communicate their uncertainty, and the athletes absorb it. In becoming more knowledgeable--and in learning how much they don't know--the coaches become worse, not better.
Experience speaks.
This sounds familiar, but its probably due to the fact that you have not figured out what this athlete needs to succeed. Each kid is different, and its the rare and amazing coach who can figure out how to motivate and inspire each athlete. Don't forget that she is still a kid. Give her plenty of encouragment, tell her WHY you are training her a certain way, and LISTEN to and address her concerns. So many coaches have such a high opinion of themselves and so many athletes are just non-thinking sheep. Its the one who challenges the coach that seems to cause the problems, but often times the challenge is appropriate and the coach just doesn't want to be bothered.
Some great points. What is your experience?