Last week I was, together other 170 coaches from all Europe, at the IFAC Congress in Glasgow. IFAC is International Festival of Atletics Coaches. There were a lot of interesting relations, but I was impressed by 3 in particular :
John Smith (Going Beyond Possibility Fast!)
Renato Canova (Principles of Endurance Training)
Art Venegas (Fundamentals for Throws Coaches).
The ability of these lectures in explaining in easy way very complex training situations is amazing. I understand now that the secret for becoming a top coach is to make easier what normally is difficult. They speak giving practical examples of their methods with top runners. When Venegas shows how Godina (World Champions several times), Brenner (22.52 shot put) and other of his group works on technique, or how they lift incredible weights, in a funny atmosphere, you understand that the first secret is to enjoy what they do. When John Smith speaks about the explosivity of his sprinters, you see that something changes in his eyes, and he can show the passion for what he's doing. When Renato Canova speaks about all the particulars connecting endurance and speed, you are fascinated by a rousing speaker, and you become part of the relation. This is the big difference between professorial lecturers and top coaches able to teach : they don't give scientific information only, but convey passion.
And, if they had and have the same approach and the same behavior with their athletes, it's easy to understand because many of them become big Champions able to find a place in the history of Athletics.
Going home, I need to look in different way how I coach : less technique, less technology, more "soul training". And the ability to enjoy in every moment what I do. Sometimes, looking at this "monuments" of our sport, may be all over 60 (I don't know their age, but I suppose is around it), I felt myself very old, and I'm 33.....