Articles
Excuses are the Nails that Build the House of Failure
Formerly posted on Freelap USA, this week's blog-post - written by Laurier Primeau - explores the value of learning, and the impact of experience. As Track & Field coaches we’ve often heard that the best learning takes place not in formal educational settings, nor in coaching clinics; but in the opportunities one takes to sit down over a coffee with...
Learning from everywhere
Over the last few years, I have been in the fortunate position to work with some of the best coaches, therapists, and athletes in the world at ALTIS. I’m not gonna lie; it’s been fun. At ALTIS, I deal with all things website related, and I love it. I’m not a coach, and presumably will never be one, yet that...
Series 16: Jeremy Dodson
Lucky number three in our Series 16 is Colorado native, American citizen, and Samoan representative - sprinter Jeremy Dodson. Born and raised in Denver, CO, the 28 year-old attended the University of Arkansas and finished at the University of Colorado, where he earned his Bachelors in Economics, Sociology, as well as Neurophysiology. Now based full-time in Phoenix, AZ in pursuit...
Barriers to Championship Performances
The below is a collection of Coach Dan Pfaff's thoughts and observations acquired through 40 plus years of coaching and interaction with Championship Performers from across the globe ... Enjoy! Risk taking is a common trait among champions. Learning to be comfortable with taking calculated risks to drive positive change – whether than be in mind-set, mechanics, strategies, tactics or...
Series 16: Aries Merritt
What better way to start Series 16, our new athlete-based feature, than an exclusive with World Record Holder and reigning Olympic Champion Aries Merritt. Aries has been an integral part of the success at ALTIS, his medal at the World Championships in Beijing last summer an unbelievable accomplishment given that he revealed he had been struggling with the biggest hurdle...
Return to Play: A Case Study with Freelap Technology
In this post ALTIS Coach Kyle Hierholzer discusses the use of the Freelap Timing System and its use during training to prepare our athletes. In my previous post, Returning to Play the Altis Way, I discussed five major principles that contribute to an effective return to competition for injured athletes. These principles are: Gathering Information Having Entire Performance Staff on the...
Race Modeling: Empower the Athlete
Chidi Enyia authors this week’s blog-post - with an in depth look into what we strategies we should incorporate into training schemes, to create independence in an athlete’s race plan. Years ago I had the opportunity to work with a super-gifted 400m high school athlete. Up to that point in her career, she had already enjoyed years of national level...
Laconic Coaching
ALTIS performance director - Stuart McMillan takes the helm this week, with a look into what ancient history can teach the coaches of today. “He who knows how to speak, knows also when” - Archidamidas Lately, I have been reading a lot on ancient history. I especially enjoy books on ancient Greek history and philosophy. It was a fascinating culture,...
Keys to Success in the Throws
This week's blog-post - written by ALTIS throws coach - Nick Sheuerman looks into some of the fundamental components of developing successful throwers. It is vital for throws coaches to have an in-depth understanding of the multitude of factors involved in successful performance in the throws. I have been honored to learn about these factors from a number of highly...
By the Numbers
Coach Andreas Behm takes the mantle for this week's staff blog-post, as he takes a journey through time to explore the realities of what this reveals and exposes in the world of Track & Field. A few days ago I purposefully locked myself in my bathroom and sat fully clothed in my bath tub with the curtain drawn - for...