Lesson 5 - Block out the noise

The modern world gives us access to so many athletes on social media posting about their training sessions. This can be both a blessing and a curse for coaches.

I do enjoy watching different training modalities both from athletics and other sports. Marveling at the sheer physicality and athleticism shown by the athletes and also the creativity of the smart coaches out there. For the most part, this is purely for entertainment purposes. When I do come across something I think may work with our athletes or I would like to know more about, I send a message to the creator to find out more.

One thing I really enjoy (I don’t) is athletes coming to me with a video to ask if they can do this or that drill, without knowing why the athlete in the video is doing it or why they want to do it. Athletes – STOP IT.

An exercise/drill/training session means nothing in isolation. Different exercises/drills/training sessions mean different things to different athletes/coaches depending on their context. We should never comment on one another without first asking for context. I have had unfortunate incidences of coaches giving unsolicited advice to myself and/or the athletes I am coaching without first asking for any background information.

I posted this video on social media a while back, of a coach interrupting a session with an athlete I was coaching. He didn’t ask, we hadn’t communicated before this and what he was saying was the complete opposite of what we were working on. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt; I am sure he was trying to help, but what he actually did was extremely disrespectful and unhelpful. I am not entirely sure what makes people think this is ok, but it does happen. Coaches – STOP IT.

Someone is always going to have an opinion and you are NEVER going to be able to please everyone.

As a coach we have to block out the noise; establish your plan for the year and don’t let the distractions of everyday life throw you off. Be curious, be thoughtful, be adaptable.