| The key to success for any sports program is to | | | | Include variety into your training sessions, |
| carefully plan and implement a well designed and | | | | otherwise your athletes will become bored with |
| structured training plan. | | | | performing the same drills over and over again. |
| To do this, several steps need to be followed in | | | | There are many books, guides and ebooks out |
| order for this to happen successfully: | | | | there on the market that can literally provide you |
| Design a general plan following the various phases | | | | with hundreds of drills which will help you add |
| of the season. By doing this, you will be able to | | | | variety to your programs. Global Sports Coaching |
| carefully plan specific areas to work on depending | | | | for example has the biggest collection of tennis |
| on which season you are in (pre-season, | | | | drills available to all tennis coaches. |
| competitive, post- season). This will also allow | | | | Show enthusiasm and give positive feedback to |
| athletes to clearly see a structured program that | | | | your athletes. People perform better and respond |
| you have set in place for them. | | | | in a more positive way when they are given |
| Set specific goals for that particular phase and | | | | constructive comments rather than continuous |
| then create structured training sessions for that | | | | criticism. |
| period of time (e.g. developing endurance in the | | | | Make the session fun. Include game-like fitness |
| pre-season). Experienced coaches know when to | | | | drills (cross training with another sport). People |
| change from one training phase to another. For | | | | mostly participate in sports because they find |
| example, strength training is needed before power | | | | them fun and rewarding. Athletes should be able |
| or plyometrics training. Flexibility is needed before | | | | to work hard and also enjoy their sport. |
| speed training. | | | | Perform testing early on in the pre-season and |
| Design each individual training session with a | | | | record the progress made by each athlete. |
| specific goal in mind (such as working on agility, | | | | Testing is a very important component of any |
| power or speed). A training session without any | | | | training program as it provides specific information |
| structure or guidance will lead to unsatisfactory | | | | on the progress (or lack of progress) being made. |
| results. It's not the amount of time you spend | | | | Once certain goals are met, then increase the |
| training but the quality and what you get out of it | | | | number of drills, the intensity, repetitions, sets, |
| that is important. | | | | and so on to constantly challenge your players. |
| Carry out the session by properly instructing and | | | | Have a back-up plan. If you plan a session |
| teaching each skill, being organized, punctual and in | | | | outdoors and it rains, then have a back-up plan |
| control of your athletes. Basically, as a coach, you | | | | for an indoor session. This is important for some |
| need to lead by example. Your athletes will feed | | | | outdoor sports such as tennis or golf. Athletes |
| off your drive and motivation to succeed and | | | | from these sports can still go inside a sports |
| they will in return give back the effort that you | | | | facility and perform some fitness training or even |
| are willing to put in. | | | | discuss tactics. |
| Key Tips for conducting a successful training | | | | Allow for individual differences between athletes. |
| session: | | | | Some athletes may excel in the speed drills but |
| Having a plan is essential. | | | | perform poorly in the strength drills. Set individual |
| Design a session using sport specific exercises. | | | | goals for each player. Football coaches have |
| Be organized, if you are not, then your players will | | | | learned over the years to split up their athletes |
| notice. | | | | according to position or abilities. For example, |
| Make it fun and allow your athletes to enjoy their | | | | American college football teams often train with |
| sport. | | | | their own individual coaches such as special teams, |
| Be observant in your training sessions. | | | | kicking coach, offensive or defensive coaches. |
| Teach, coach and instruct your team in a positive | | | | After each session, make notes on what went |
| way. | | | | well, what needs to be worked on further, record |
| Strive to improve on every training session. | | | | all test scores, and think of ways to improve on |
| Lead by example. | | | | the next session. |
| Have a back-up plan if the weather conditions are | | | | Check that all of the equipment is in good working |
| not suitable. | | | | order. Besides preventing an accident due to |
| Specific Goals For Each Training Session: | | | | faulty equipment, having your equipment |
| Give clear instructions on how to perform each | | | | organized will allow for the smooth running of drills |
| skill. Some of your athletes may have already | | | | and training sessions. |
| mastered the skill required of them and some | | | | Be sure that the surface is appropriate for the |
| may be struggling with the technical aspects of | | | | fitness component that you are training. For |
| that skill. This is one of the most important | | | | example, would you take your basketball players |
| aspects for a coach of a team to understand, not | | | | out onto the football field to do some cross |
| all of your athletes respond in the same way! | | | | training knowing that there are pot holes on the |
| Demonstrate the skill to the group and then | | | | playing area and thus leading to increased risk of |
| answer questions if asked. Some athletes respond | | | | twisting an ankle? It is often best to conduct your |
| better when a skill is "visually" demonstrated | | | | training sessions on the actual surface that you |
| rather than you just describing how to perform | | | | will compete on. For example, tennis players |
| the skill. | | | | should perform their speed and agility training on |
| Carefully plan appropriate drills for the time | | | | the surface they play their matches on. |
| allocated, that is maximize your time available. | | | | To be successful as an athlete you must learn |
| Follow strict guidelines on the number of sets, | | | | how to train at the highest levels in order to |
| repetitions and rest used in order to maintain a | | | | achieve this success when in competition. As the |
| smooth running session. | | | | old saying goes "Practice How You Want to play. |