Coach Education
Streamlining Warm-Ups for Faster Acceleration
In last week's article I shared how I use the hip extension [or "knees behind butt"] pattern to structure my daily training sessions. The theme of that session was "initial acceleration"-the first 4-6 steps of the run-and the objective was to "project the center of mass as far and as fast as possible in a horizontal direction." Throughout the entire...
The ALTIS Foundation Course – A Comprehensive Review
Unlocking Coaching Excellence with the ALTIS Foundation Course In the dynamic world of sports coaching, achieving excellence requires more than just passion and dedication. It demands continuous learning and adaptation to the latest methodologies and practices. The NSCA Accredited ALTIS Foundation Course has emerged as a cornerstone for coaches seeking to elevate their abilities and drive their athletes towards peak...
The ALTIS Performance Trinity: Cornerstone Courses for All Coaches
Discover Your Potential as a Coach Our mission here at ALTIS is to empower motivated coaches like you, to excel beyond the conventional: to achieve and reach your individual potential in your career. Our belief underpinning this is firm: excellence in coaching extends well beyond mere information. It's about fostering a deep understanding and application of critical thinking, effective communication,...
Fascia: A historical Perspective
INTRODUCTION In our centuries-long quest to comprehend the complexities of the human body, we have often adopted a reductionist approach - dissecting systems into their constituent parts to study and understand each element in isolation. While this has led to significant advancements in medical science, it has also imposed limitations, as such a method rarely tells us how those...
Think, Reflect, Excel: The Socratic Method in Coaching
Socratic questioning, a concept inspired by the ancient philosopher Socrates, is all about sparking deeper thought and reflection through probing questions. For coaches, this approach can be a game-changer. It moves beyond traditional instruction, inviting athletes to think critically about their actions, motivations, and the intricacies of their sport. John Wooden, the revered UCLA basketball coach, perfectly exemplified this approach....
The Paradox of Performance: Power Meets Grace
The performance of an athlete, in its most exquisite form, is a dynamic interplay of power and grace. A spectacle that mesmerizes us as it seamlessly blends fluidity with ferocity, combines violence with peace, and merges aggression with elegance. It's an art form where strength and subtlety coexist, creating a harmonious symphony of human potential. There's a reason Ali's motto...
The Nested Dynamics of Speed: Lessons from Russian Dolls
Russian dolls, known as Matryoshka dolls, are hollow wooden figurines originating from Russia. They nest inside each other, with the smallest doll at the center. They are adorned with vibrant colors and intricate designs. Matryoshka dolls symbolize family, generations, and Russian culture. They are collected and cherished worldwide as decorative items. But what the heck have they got to do...
Embracing the Unknown: The Island of Knowledge and Coaching
Recently, I reread Marcelo Gleiser's great book, ‘The Island of Knowledge: The Limits of Science and the Search for Meaning,’ and — as always with almost every book I read — reflected upon its implications in sport performance and coaching. One of the primary themes in the book is that of ‘embracing ignorance’. Gleiser argues that the acquisition of knowledge...
The myth of work-life balance?
I come from a family tradition of storytellers. I love to hear and speak about stories. So when I’m guiding younger coaches through some of the pitfalls we encounter in our coaching lives, I tend to tell gut-level honest stories of failures, successes, trials, tribulations, etc. I also share biographies of coaches and other leaders who have fallen into some...
Is it worth it?
I have been consistently challenged in multiple environments. The two biggest challenges for me in scale and scope are constant battles with: Administration silos / scope of practice, etc. Support agencies around the athlete I have fought constant battles with NGBs, Olympic Committees, meet promoters, legislation issues, and world-politic. On the support side, endless and inane conflicts from agents, sponsors, parents,...