Watch as Dr. Peter Ormsby discusses coaches’ stressors and mental health. He cites case studies that indicate the three main stressors are performance-related, organizational-related, and personal. Performance stressors deal with injuries to athletes and poor […]
Be Careful Not to Overuse Technology in Coaching
From the time most children can walk and talk today, they have a technological device of some type in their hands. By the time they finish elementary school, children can code, decode, transmit and transcend […]
Sprinting: Concept of Stiffness with Tommy Badon – Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette
Watch as Coach Tommy Badon discusses how all sprinters are bouncy when they run and the leg actually works like a spring. He explains that posture and core stability have an affect on sprint ability.
Management of In-Season Running Injuries with Dr. Lace Luedke – Univ. of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Watch as Dr. Lace Luedke discusses consideration for in-season management of running injuries. The shin and knee are the most common injuries, and she recommends reducing the load on that tissue with the goal of […]
Fuel and Recovery: Pros and Cons of Caffeine with Dr. Brenda Buffington – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Dr. Brenda Buffington discusses the pros and cons of using caffeine for fueling or recovery.
Pause Every Third Drill with David Neville – Georgia Southern Univ.
Watch as Coach David Neville explains, and a sprinter demonstrates the Pause Every Third Drill. The athlete will pause after every third step with the toe up and a stiff leg on the ground then […]
Leadership: What Type of Team Do You Want to Be? with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Robert Grasso discusses how coaches must determine with their players what type of standards and values they must set that define their teams. It is important to ask questions so that players understand why they […]
The Grind
By: Coach Mickey Marley Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning If you are a professional, or at the least someone who has sought out to be a champion, you probably have […]
Thoughts and Philosophy with Shelton Ervin – Summer Creek High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Shelton Ervin discusses some of his philosophy regarding track and field. He explains that track and field is about evolution for both coaches and athletes. When he talks with his athletes, he […]
Hurdle Warmups with Eric Jubeck & Tyler Witt – Monroe High School (WI)
Watch as Coaches Jubeck and Witt explain and show practice video of these hurdle warmup exercises. The 1st exercise is working the lead leg using both the left and right leg on every hurdle. The […]
Program Managing
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics Managing a program effectively requires a coach to plan and direct both culture and practice in a specific setting. […]
X-Factor Wickets with Tony Holler – Plainfield North High School (IL)
Watch as Coach Tony Holler explains, and sprinters demonstrate these seven wicket drills. Wickets are excellent for teaching proper posture and sprint mechanics. These wickets are also good for the core as the legs are […]
High Bar Vault Ab Work with Johnny Graham – Polebenders Vault Club
Watch as Coach Johnny Graham explains, and vaulters demonstrate these high bar vault ab drills. When developing the abs from a high bar it is important to reverse the grip which simulates the pole grip. […]
Recognize, Respond, Refer with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Dorpfeld explain the necessity that all coaches on a staff understand the recognize, respond, and refer guidelines. It is important to recognize at-risk athletes and the symptoms of mental health problems that […]
Over-Under Principle with Ryan Banta – Parkway Central High School (MO)
Watch as Coach Ryan Banta explains the Over-Under Principle of training, meaning going “just above” the race event and “just below” it. He uses the 350-race model as an example for the over part of […]
Are You Building a Better You? with Chet Scott – Built to Lead
Watch as Chet Scott explains why it’s necessary to build a “better you” in order to be an effective leader. The way coaches regulate or react to a room influences the type of team they […]
5 Lessons I Learned From My First Year as a Head Coach
By: Sarah Burnell, Head Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach – Grinnell College Transitions are hard. We’re told this repeatedly anytime we start something new or try something different. The transition to being a head […]
PVC Pole Vault Plant Exercises with David Butler – Rice Univ.
Watch as Coach David Butler explains and shows video of these PVC pipe plant exercises. The vaulters use 13 to 14 feet of PVC pipe to work on the plant. They keep a 2-foot base, […]
Coaching Tips: Athletes Who Have Experienced Trauma with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld discusses some tips for coaches who are dealing with athletes that have experienced some form of trauma. These athletes are not trying to push your buttons or be difficult but […]
Safety in Sports Includes Mental Health Care
Medical professionals agree that about 20% of high school athletes and 30% of college athletes have or will have a serious anxiety or diagnosable mental health disorder that causes some degree of impairment in their […]
Championship Culture: Have a Clear Vision with Kebba Tolbert – Harvard Univ.
Watch as Coach Kebba Tolbert explains that when evaluating culture, it is important to have a clear vision and know what you are trying to accomplish.
Valsalva Maneuver (Holding Your Breath) with Dave Pavlansky – USATF
Watch as Coach Dave Pavlansky discusses the Valsalva Maneuver for sprinters in the 100m. This is a breathing technique in which you hold your breath to create an air splint which allows the sprinter to […]
Digital Distractions: Impact on Athletes Today with Todd Gongwer – Kardia Transformation Group
Watch as Todd explains the impact that digital distractions have on today’s athletes. He will discuss in detail how the following factors impact a team dynamic and make teaching, in general, more difficult. What is […]
Closed Hand-Off Passing Technique with Chris Parno – Minnesota State Univ. Mankato
Watch as Coach Chris Parno explains and demonstrates closed-hand techniques used when passing the baton. The proper position for the outgoing runner’s arm is elbow high and then extended outward into the open space of […]
Challenging Athletes Without Destroying Their Confidence with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Greg Dale explains that it is key to hold athletes accountable but do so without destroying their confidence or undermining their dignity. He talks about the difference of being intense and being […]
Setting Goals
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics Setting clear goals helps coaches and athletes achieve success. Goals offer direction and purpose for our day-to-day activities; in […]
Sprinter’s Weight Room Without Walls with Ryan Banta – Parkway Central High School (MO)
Watch as Coach Ryan Banta explains and shows practice video of the “Sprinter’s Weight Room Without Walls” that involves medicine and Swiss stability balls. Coach covers in detail the following medicine ball drills: Runner’s Stride […]
Avoiding Burnout with Katie Steele – Thrive Mental Health Therapy
Watch as Katie Steele cites statistics that show that the average high school track coach stays at their jobs for 1-2 years. Only 11% of Coaches stay at least 11+ years. These stats translate to […]
Developing a Culture
By: Jen Welter Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics You must give players a voice in shaping the identity and setting the tone. With the most powerful teams I […]
Hurdles: Favorite Workouts with Alex Armenteros – St. Thomas Aquinas High School (FL)
Watch as Coach Alex Armenteros discusses three workouts you can use to evaluate your hurdlers that also develop mechanics and stamina at the same time.