I’ve already posted how I set up my annual plan for the track season. But I thought I’d share a Week 1 microcycle. This is my plan for the first week of practice. Will it go this way? Not likely. But since I know the physiological effect I’m looking to elicit for each session, I…
Archives for track workouts
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…
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…
3 Reasons Sprinters Fall Apart at the End of Races
Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a 6 hour freshman/sophomore meet. The meet was very well run, it was just, you know, a 6 hour freshman/sophomore meet. I can’t tell you how many times I watched sprinters fall apart at the end of races. So, I’m standing there, minding my own business and…
Cusano Hurdle Push Drill (video)
One idea I’ve been stressing to coaches this year is that workouts don’t teach the skill of acceleration (like this hurdle push drill does!). Or top end speed. Or sprinting in general. Instead, the ‘workouts’ we use in practice are the byproduct of specific skills we are trying to teach to our sprinters. This is…
Jump Runs
It’s time for midterms in the wonderful world of coaching. Each semester, athletes are busy preparing for major exams and their schedules change. The combination of stress and lack of sleep impel most athletes to request alternative practice times, or the day off, to prepare for these grueling examinations. I have always preached the importance…
What To Do With Your Walking Wounded
I have been coaching long enough to understand that in athletics injury is inevitable. The repetitive motion of running and contact with multiple surfaces can increase the rate of injuries among sprinters. As a sprints coach I am sure you have encountered common injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures and pulled muscles. When I…
Managing Training Adjustments for Speed and Power Athletes
Introduction For years, periodization has been the buzz word associated with process of planning, sequencing, and detailing various training cycles in order to achieve athletic improvement and insure that the best results come at the most critical times. Periodization is a convenient process. While there is an art to it, following the basic tenets of…
Boo Schexnayder’s Complete Training Inventory
Training Components and Exercise Circuits By Boo Schexnayder RELATED: Get Coach Schexnayder’s Complete Training Inventory on DVD. Warmup Preparatory Routines Mobility Jog Circuit Weave Backwards Run Side Shuffle Right Side Shuffle Left Arm Circles Arms Across Crossover Run Static Flexibility Routines Capella Hansen’s Back Series (L-R) Spinal Roll Hands Behind Back Elbow/Obliques (L-R) Calf Stretch…
Learning from the Legends (Over 50% off!)
Dan Pfaff and Tom Tellez are, without question, two of the greatest track and field coaches in the history of the sport. A couple of years ago they recorded a seminar together covering a whole range of topics in the sprints, hurdles, jumps *and* throws. Now you can get immediate access to that seminar for…