I don’t know about you, but I’m burnt out from this past season! I don’t feel like getting into my summer training just yet.
It was fun. The kids achieved some great results. Every athlete on my team, without exception, set a PR in their primary event. And we’re primed for a great year next year, especially on the girls side.
That said, it feels great not to have to go to practice this afternoon!
I’ve given myself four weeks off (a Transition Period, so to speak) from specific preparation for next season. But, then I have to get back to the lab.
I need to review the things that went really well this year. (Like the changes I made to my 400/400h workouts)
I need to review the things that didn’t go as well as I’d like. (Like my sprinters’ progress in executing acceleration mechanics)
Foam Rolling
I need to decide what I want to add to the program. (Like making foam rolling a mandatory activity)
And what I need to upgrade. (Like my weight room progressions)
I have to do this for all three event groups, which is why summer is the time of year I consume the greatest amount of new information. The season is fresh on my mind and I’m not consumed by the exhausting responsibility of writing and running of separate sprints, hurdles and jumps programs like I am once summer ends.
Many coaches take the summer off and wait until the new season approaches to dive back into it. And I think this is a mistake. It’s like when athletes ask me when they should warm up for their race. I’d rather they start too early and then just chill out longer than expected than cut it close and have to rush things at the last minute.
In my opinion, summer is the best time to revamp your program and get a feel for necessary improvements at the micro (foam rolling) and macro (400m workout progressions) level.
So, over the coming weeks I’m going to highlight some of my favorite resources we have here at Complete Track & Field, as well as explain why I think you should take some time this summer to go through them and use them to help upgrade your program/s.
First up is Complete Speed Training Volume 2 (CST2).
No surprise here as this is a program I created specifically for those of you who coach high school sprinters.
I think you’ll find it a valuable resource for two reasons:
1. Coaching high school sprinters is completely different than coaching college sprinters. And no other program out there caters to the specific strengths and weaknesses of high school kids, the short 12 (or so) week HS season and/or the limitations we have in terms of staff, equipment and facilities at the HS level.
2. It’s practical.
I could have filled the program with fancy science words. And given you all types of abstract information about fancy training theory.
But, I don’t really have time for all that crap. So I’m guessing you don’t either. I don’t want you to watch the program for an hour and then have to spend another 2 hours figuring out how the hell you’re actually going to do it in practice.
So here’s how it’s put together:
1. I show you what I do.
2. I tell you why I do it.
3. I tell and show you where it goes in your practice.
That’s it. Thanks for playing. You don’t need a degree to figure it out.
So if you coach a high school sprints group or just your son/daughter, make your life easy and use Complete Speed Training 2 as that resource you go to when you’re not quite sure which path to take and need some quick advice from another high school coach who actually knows what its like to work in the environment you live in.
==> Get Complete Speed Training Volume 2.
OK, that’s the first one.
Second up today is Boo Schexnayder’s ‘Planning Training for the Jumping Events’ Master Class.
Since I coach the sprints, hurdles and jumps, the most important concept for me to understand is ‘commonalities’. The more I understand the similarities between workout types and event groups, the more efficient and effective my practices. And, just as important for my sanity, the less time it takes to plan them.
While Boo’s program is about the jumping events primarily, you can essentially use the same system for your short sprinters and sprint hurdlers. (Long sprints and 400h is a different animal, however.)
I thought CST2 was straight forward, but this takes ‘practical’ or ‘cut and paste’ to the type of level I appreciate since, during the season, I live in a perpetual state of slightly overwhelmed.
And, since ‘Planning Training for the Jumping Events’ is an online program, you can start watching it in about 2 minutes. AND Boo answers your questions as they come up so you’ll never get confused.
I don’t want to overhype it, but, for me, it’s the most mind bending coaching resource since the old Speed Dynamics series. Plus, you show me another resource where not only do you get a great program, but you get lifetime access to the 2008 US Olympic Team Jumps Coach. I mean, come on.
So if you take your jumps program seriously, I think it is the most ‘must have’ program in the history of must have programs.
If you coach sprints, hurdles and jumps, and, especially if you already have CST2, you will absolutely be stoked about this program.
I mean, it is Boo Schexnayder after all. That alone should have been enough to put you over.
==> Get Boo Schexnayder’s ‘Planning Training for the Jumping Events’.
Well my friend, that is all I have for today.
Get one. Get both. Get neither. That’s up to you of course.
To your success,
Latif Thomas
USATF Level II – Sprints, Hurdles & Relays
USTFCCCA Event Specialist – Sprints, Hurdles & Relays
P.S. If you have questions about whether these (or any other) resources are right for you, you can ask them below.