It’s important for everyone who’s interested in track and field to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. After all, this is a sport that is not always considered to be the premier and most exciting to fans, and it is certainly not one of the most sought after or respected among its peers….
Archives for coaching track
USATF-GA: Coaches Roundtable (Needs Assessment for Sprint Development)
Coaches Advisory Committee Announces Coaches Roundtable – Monday, April 22, 2013 – 8 pm EST Coach Latif Thomas (Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps) Coaches Roundtable Dial In Info: Dial-In Number: (712)-432-0075 Participant Access Code: 144753
What’s in Your Tool Box?
By Dave Cusano I pose this question to every coach everywhere. We can all understand training philosophy, training theory, physiology, biomechanics and motor learning. We can purchase DVDs, go to conferences and even get certified. But… Do we know what’s in our very own tool box? What, exactly, is your tool box? It’s the training…
Follow up to ‘The Lance Armstrong Defense?’
So many comments came in so quickly to last week’s ‘The Lance Armstrong Defense’ article about submitting false seed times, I didn’t get a chance to respond to individual questions and statements as I normally do. But, it was such a hot topic I felt it deserved one more day of discussion. So here are…
Athlete and Group Management…What’s Important in Coaching
Perspectives. Often we get so caught up in the technical side of coaching… writing workouts, teaching techniques, attending competitions… that we forget about the process of coaching. The biggest part of coaching is creating an environment that enables young people to learn, grow improve, and succeed. The biggest part of creating that environment is the…
Winter Workouts for Hurdles
I was inspired by the winter training article written by coach Mangiacotti two weeks ago, so I wanted to put in my two cents concerning what I wanted my young people to do for winter workouts. As a young high school coach I was determined to write workouts for everyday of the break and even…
Science vs Art
What is the difference between the science vs art of coaching? The science of coaching consists of understanding workouts, progressions, biomechanics, energy systems and other essential factors that influence ones ability to teach. The art of coaching encompasses more depth and understanding of an athlete’s emotions, external stress levels and a host of other social…
3 Ways to Run More Efficient Practices
Because we don’t have any other choice, we spend much of our learning time studying college coaches. With their small groups and biomotor geniuses, they can (and must) spend the bulk of their time refining their technical and energy system progressions in practice. And, make no mistake, I steal their stuff early and often. But,…
Training in the Hallways: Bad Weather Options for the Track and Field Coach
One of the greatest dilemmas facing any track and field coach is what to do when the weather is bad and you have no legitimate indoor track facility in which to train. I get asked the question all the time, and often it seems I am expected to offer a perfect solution. The fact of…
Why Do Kids Point Fingers?
I have always told my athletes that if they do EVERYTHING I tell them to do and they don’t succeed it is completely my fault. I also tell them that if they skip ANYTHING I prescribe, I am not responsible for their lack of success. For some reason, I usually have a student-athlete who cuts…
Talent Identification and Event Placement for Speed and Power Athletes
Coaches seldom realize when they decide to place an athlete in an event at a young age exactly how critical this decision is. At this time when the coach is simply thinking of picking up a few points, an athlete’s entire career might be bolstered or wrecked and a pattern of self-confidence or eternal self-doubting…
You’re Fired Friday (Volume 1)
If you’ve been following me over the years, you’ve no doubt noticed my slow evolution into the kinder and gentler Coach Thomas of today. But that doesn’t mean I’m afraid to call some people out from time to time. Oh no. Not at all. Over the course of this year I’ve noticed some things. Some…