As Little As Necessary

When working with a new team or a new organization I highly suggest you start off with doing as little as necessary.

Chances are you are walking into I'm established program. You don't want to try and save the world. Especially with high-level athletes who are training at extreme levels you certainly don't want to disrupt their system.

Do as little as necessary and try to go unnoticed. Be conservative with your manual therapy and liberal with joint centration.

This is their team, not yours.

Respect the program and buy into it.

Understand their training and realize that the little that you do can go a long way.

Both positively and negatively!

Ask them where they are in their training cycle.

Is it a strength or power day? If so, centrate here.

Is it a recovery day? If so, mobilize here.

You don't want to conflict the two.

Also...

Be a fly on the wall. Speak when spoken to. Offer to assist with filling out water bottles or laying down cones.

Learn the language. Understand the athletes' idiosyncrasies. Respect the other medical staff, especially those who have paved the way before you.

Promote positivity and refrain from speaking in "negative" language. The old adage states that sport is 90 percent mental. Use this to the athletes' advantage. Telling them their glute isn't firing won't help.

Foster independence and self-efficacy. Teach them methods to troubleshoot when necessary.

You are there for them. Not yourself.

​Most importantly, know your role!
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