What does "run as a team" mean?

Non-Running Sports

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7 years ago 10/14/2016 9:03am EDT

re: It's simple

XC is both a team and an individual sport. That is why there are awards for both the team and the individual.

The coaching philosophy must show appreciation for both of those aspects because that is what defines the sport.

Disregarding either one, changes the sport.

Fortunately, there are ways to concomitantly address both of those facets of the sport of XC. The coach has to coach. If the guy is inept, then his only alternative is to guilt the faster kids into slowing down.

In your example, what if 3 & 4 get the altruism bug and decide to slow down to help 5? If they do not, wouldn't that be perceived as seeking personal glory? Hopefully there are no Jack Black lookalikes in the bunch.

7 years ago 10/14/2016 9:09am EDT

re: duckerrr

Start out the race with every intention of running as a team. When you hit 1 mile mark, switch gears and wish the stragglers well.

7 years ago 10/14/2016 12:22pm EDT

re: duckerrr

duckerrr wrote:
XC is both a team and an individual sport. That is why there are awards for both the team and the individual.

No.

7 years ago 10/14/2016 12:30pm EDT

re: confusedxc

In my experience, those coaches who've never run XC just don't seem to be able to grasp that not all of the team will magically be able to stick with the No. 1 runner. When he is saying "run as a team" he is unrealistically trying to motivate you all to -- again, with no physiologial explanation/backing and hence, against logic -- stay together as a "No. 1 Runner Knot" for most of the race, only separating in the push for home and kick.

What he should be saying is something like this: "If you see a team member ahead, or behind you on a hairpin turn, etc., then shout encouragement (or a key motivational phrase the team is using) to them.

Not many teams like Adams State on the cover of Joe Vigil's book exist in reality, so just compete well, let the chips fall where they may, and as mentioned, try and support one another on course.

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What does "run as a team" mean?

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