Watch as Coach Kyle Tellez explains the importance of using a checkmark for the long jump approach run and how it benefits the coach and the athlete. The checkmark helps the coach pinpoint where an […]
Create a Positive Self-Talk Routine with Zack Etter – Univ. of Massachusetts
Watch as Zack Etter discusses creating a positive self-talk routine when communicating with players. He recommends sharing positive information everyday as today’s players are surrounded by negativity. Create an environment that focuses on the positive […]
4×400 Relay: Racing to the Tangent of the Curve with Dave Pavlansky – USATF
Watch as Coach Dave Pavlansky explains that after a runner receives the baton in a 4×400 relay, they are racing to the tangent of the curve. The runner must “make a gap” bigger if in […]
Trust the Process with Shelton Ervin – Summer Creek High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Shelton Ervin explains that all stakeholders in your program must trust the process. It is the role of the head coach to be the collaborative and transformational leader to make sure everyone […]
Leading Others
Originally Published in: THE LEADERSHIP PLAYBOOK It is not just enough to lead yourself effectively, you must also have a positive influence on others, John C. Maxwell says, “A leader without a follower is just […]
Jumper’s Pool Recovery with Jesse Chapman
Watch as Coach Jesse Chapman explains, and jumpers demonstrate this recovery exercise. The exercise starts in the pool with the jumpers doing jumps in place, running against a wall with high knees. The jumpers get […]
Coaching Yourself: Controlling Your Anger
By: Rainer Martens and Robin S. Vealey Originally Published in: Successful Coaching Provided by: Human Kinetics The very nature of sport—the potential for injustice and for physical and mental injury—increases the likelihood of coaches experiencing […]
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 effect on sprint ability.
Educating Athletes That Social Media Is Their Life Resume with Kim Karr – ICANHELP
Watch as Kim Karr emphasizes the importance in communicating with your athletes and parents that their posts on social media represent their life resume. Colleges and athletic departments are checking potential recruits’ and applicants’ social […]
Championship Culture: Caring with Kebba Tolbert – Harvard Univ.
Watch as Coach Kebba Tolbert explains the importance of your athletes knowing that you care about them, are invested, and are there to help them. He also addresses how your older athletes can be there […]
Relays: Holding the Baton/Changing Hands with Chris Parno – Minnesota State Univ., Mankato
Watch as Coach Chris Parno explains the closed-handed baton grips and handoffs for the 4×1. In the 4×4 you can use two different grips, the over hand and the over hand on top of the […]
Three Impactful Ways to Help Athletes Build Mental Strength Right Now
By: Julie Hatfield-Still Athletics are about more than just winning games or improving physical skills, it’s also a critical time for building the mental strength athletes need to succeed in sports and life. As a […]
Long Jump Training Focus with Brooke Rasnick – Univ. of Louisville
Watch as Coach Brooke Rasnick explains that the majority of the year is spent on approach and take-off mechanics. Half of the long jump training is working on the full approach. It is important for […]
Championship Culture: Esprit de Corps with Kebba Tolbert – Harvard Univ.
Watch as Coach Kebba Tolbert explains the concept of Esprit de Corps. Coach Tolbert discusses the importance of developing a culture that transcends differences between players and allows them to fight for a common goal.
Useful Hurdle Exercises with Vince Anderson – (Retired) Texas A&M Univ.
Watch as Coach Vince Anderson discusses and shows video of these useful hurdle exercises. He suggests not doing drills that do not relate directly to some aspect of the hurdle preference. Coach explains four hip […]
Wicket Drills with Chris Parno – Minnesota State Univ., Mankato
Watch as Coach Chris Parno explains and shows video of these wicket drills with modifications. The athletes step over the top of the mini hurdles, limiting the backside motion and forcing the runner to cycle […]
What Are Your Athletes’ Biggest Influences? with Chet Scott – Built to Lead
Watch as Chet Scott explains the ‘leadership is influence’ concept, and that you know you are a leader if you have followers. If you are going to lead and influence your players, it would be […]
Holistic Coaching for the Benefit of All Players
Originally published in an Adam Sarancik Book “Never confuse winning with succeeding. A successful league and team is one that inspires its players to want to come back again tomorrow.” Too often, leagues and teams […]
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 […]
Mental Toughness: A Skill That Can Be Developed with Dr. Colleen Hacker – Team USA / Pacific Lutheran Univ.
Watch as Dr. Colleen Hacker explains that mental toughness is a skill, and it can be developed. It is about how an individual responds to adversity, difficult situations, setbacks, and failure. Mental toughness is not […]
Hazing/Bullying in Athletics
By: David T. Morris Originally Published in: Student-Athletes: Control Your Own Destiny Definition of Bullying: As defined by the organization, stopbullying.gov, “bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real […]
Throws Box Jumps with A.G. Kruger – Ashland Univ.
Watch as Coach A.G. Kruger explains, and a thrower demonstrates these box jump drills. These are great drills because they involve body movement without added weight and work on explosiveness. The 1st drill is landing […]
Leadership is Authentic, Relentless, Selfless Service to a Cause with Colonel Craig Flowers – Sideline Leadership
Watch as Colonel Craig Flowers explains that the term leadership is often clouded by clichés. He explains that in its simplest form leadership is service to a cause. Many times, Coaches fail to define leadership, […]
Pole Vault: What to Do When Technique Begins to Break Down with David Butler – Rice Univ.
Watch as Coach David Butler explains that in practice, his athletes get 12 to 13 jumps. The key is that the jumps are of high-quality, and they aren’t focused on the quantity. When the quality […]
Social Media: Promote the Team with Matt Pries – Dallas Center-Grimes High School (IA)
Watch as Coach Matt Pries explains how he uses social media to promote the team. The emphasis is on the team, not the individuals or coaches. The most successful athletes on the team will have […]
Empowering Coaches: Strategies for Supporting Youth from Struggling Homes in Athletics
By: Scott Garvis, CMAA Provided By: NHSACA As a coach, it’s essential to support students who come from struggling homes. These kids may face various challenges, and coaches can play a vital role in providing […]
Shot Put: A-Drill with Don Babbitt – Univ. of Georgia
Watch as Coach Don Babbitt explains, and an athlete demonstrates the A-Drill, which is the best teaching drill for the glide. This is a two-part drill that is worked separately making sure the technique is […]
Coordination and Posture Drills with Arthur ‘Iggy’ Ignaczak – Stanford Univ.
Watch as Coach Arthur ‘Iggy’ Ignaczak explains and shows video clips of these coordination and posture drills. He will cover in detail the following drills involving long jumpers, pole vaulters, and high jumpers: pause drills, […]
Distance Runners: Trunk-Related Body Weight Exercises with Scott Christensen – Complete Track and Field
Watch as Coach Scott Christensen explains and shows examples of these trunk-related body weight exercises for distance runners. The focus is on strengthening the hips, glutes, and hamstrings which can improve posture, delay fatigue, and […]
Best Versus Worst Performances
By: Dr. Colleen M. Hacker Originally Published in: Achieving Excellence Provided by: Human Kinetics By examining your best performances and comparing and contrasting them with your worst performances, you can identify the key elements of […]