Welcome to Coaching Chat, an ALTIS vodcast series where Education Director – Ellie Kormis – chats with coaches, coach educators, and teachers who coach – from High School coaches, to Pro coaches, to new coaches, to the seasoned warhorses of our profession.
SPecific discussion points:
In this 15-minute chat with Ellie Kormis, the former Coach to Olympic Champion and former WR holder – Renaud Lavillenie – discuss:
- His ‘no limits’ strategy
- The Olympic 2012 final, and winning gold
- The importance of confidence, and providing opportunities to allow the athlete to build confidence
- Using the experience of past competitions to inform future competition practice
- The role of play and fun in training and competition, and what kids can teach us
- Overcoming cultural and language challenges, as a French speaker working as National Coach for China’s Pole Vaulters
- The importance of body language in communication, and building a common shared language with athletes
- Adjusting methodology to maximize impact in a new cultural environment
Key Takeaways:
- “When people take it like a job, they forget the energy of sport comes from playing – if you remove happiness, you can’t succeed.”
- “Have fun, play, be happy – but still be strict on key coaching points”
- “Sport is sport, it’s the same event – the details are different between elite to kids“
- “The athlete has to have confidence in their coach”
- “Build a common shared language with athletes”
- “Be prepared to adjust your methodology to maximize your impact in a new cultural environment“
- “Be adaptable”
- “Never stop learning“
- “Never think you’re right and someone else is wrong – seek to understand why people come to the decision they do“
CONNECT:
If you want to connect with Damien and chat further, check out his social media accounts: