Integrated Support Teams & Planning for Performance

I just completed a weekend of mentorship here at the University of Alberta with with Kevin Tyler and Dr. Gerry Ramogida.

Organized and hosted by the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre, the weekend consisted of integrated and collaborative presentations by Kevin and Gerry on Friday evening and all day Saturday, presentations by Kevin on Sunday morning, and targeted feedback and mentorship (with our staff) by Kevin on Sunday and Monday afternoons.

As this was a very dynamic (as opposed to didactic) weekend, rather than summarize their presentations, I will simply post several of the key points that resonated most with me.
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• Coach driven models for "rehab" are better than medically driven models. Naturally, this depends on the level and experience of the coach, but the ideal is that the athlete can integrate and utilize exercises and drills within the (modified) training program in order to minimize time away from the track and maximize technical improvement and proficiency.
• Watching as much video as possible is the fastest and most effective way to develop one's "eyes".
• There's a difference between physical limitations and motor control/technical deficiencies. It is our job to recognize this when trying to improve an athlete's mechanics.
• Improving mechanics is probably the best way to simultaneously maximize performance and reduce risk of injury.
• Micromovements dictate macromovements.
• "Dysfunctions" can only be addressed through the integration of coaching and (performance) therapy.
• All things being equal, developing a mechanical understanding (i.e. force application / efficiency) is most important. Only when we get this right, do loading and recovery parameters become important.

For those of you who were unable to attend, all presentations were recorded so they should be up on the Coaching Centre website soon.
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