Over the process of this placement I have become more versatile and confident in the delivery of athletics. The use of literature, university lectures and coaching experience has proven vital in my delivery and understanding to the athletes needs.
I hope to further my athletics coaching and gain the Uka Coaching Level 3 License.
Overview
The training went well and the athletes enjoyed the session as they controlled their own rest periods. A game of ladders was used to keep fun at a high.
The Session
The session was based at Yarborough School Sports Hall. The warm up was coach delivered due to limitations of space. the Coaching assistants set up the equipment while the warm up was in session.
The main session had 9 stations (see session plan for more). The athletes started with 30 seconds rests between 1minute effort stations. I noticed some athletes were starting to show signs of boredom, so I asked if they were out of breath. of which a quick “no” occurred. This resulted in recovery times being reduced to 15 seconds, then 10 seconds.
Room for Improvement
Challenge athletes according to their ability individually if needed.
Overview
This session was coached to half of the group due to competitions. The session involved 50m, 100m and 150m sprints in a pyramid. This was combined with the ongoing plyometric training. Bull dog was played as a reward.
The Session
The planning of this session was complex ad was shown in the athletes enthusiasm. Although they were happy with the training it could have been better organized and made simpler. The session should have been split into two training session and not one. The head coached advised the intensity will have to be less to complete.
Room for Improvement
In future athletes training intensity and rest following session should be compensated for. Thus Thursday session to be harder than Tuesday, unless competition on the weekends.
Overview
The athletes were very dedicated to todays hard session. It involved running three 600m and a 25 minute plyometric program. I couldn’t have asked anymore of them.
The Session
Todays session was combination of intense plyo’s and 600m training. The Warm-up was coach lead, however I used two athletes as assistants to identify proper technique as a third person. I chose to do this to give them more understanding of the biomechanics involved. NESW was played at the end, however some athletes chose not to participate, due to upcoming competitions in Lincs League.
Reflection
The athletes were put into groups following the differentiation model: grouping by ability and friendships. This is the most effective way to train within the youth group. Although some girls and boys don’t like training in the same groups. This was noted and the grouping was changed to a random selection. However performance levels were still a deciding factor.
Overview
Todays session focused on correct distances between the relay transition and run up. This is to encourage athletes to participate in the 4x100m relays over the summer period.
The Session
The training began with an athlete led warm up, which was really good. It was a modified version of bulldog, but he called it crabs and fishes. the crab aka bulldog could only move sideways, but can move forward to a new position once the fish were all in the safe zone.
The main session consisted of 50m relays over a 500m distance. Batons were used and shown that the athletes were not familiar with them. the session got broke down into a whole part whole modified. The athletes were divided into groups where they focused on one element each. From each group leaders were chosen if not volunteered to organize the tasks.
Outcome and Reflection
This provide useful as they worked harder physically and mentally; running and decision making, problem solving. This will be incorporated were possible in future sessions. An athlete based design. They were rewarded with a game of Numbers
Overview
Session 16 was a hard plyometric & Abs circuit. Game of Ladders as a reward for their hard efforts.
Reflective Practice
The Session was well planned and was set up prior the athletes arrival. This was essential to enable more time on training to improve performance. I demonstrated each station and for those that knew the exercises were offered a chance to demonstrate. this method was used to show their learning and boost confidence.
All in all the session went well, however 2 athletes were not engaged with the session. these athletes were taken a side, following the positive reinforcement method. This worked briefly, but they soon began disengaging.
This occurred due to the intensity of the exercises and the athletes current level of fitness. This session was designed to push athletes to their boundaries, were as some athletes kept pushing others began to fatigue.
This outlines that grouping had to be changed from the initial needs analysis conducted in November 2012.
Overview
Session 15 consisted of the athletes demonstrating the plyometric exercises learnt over the previous sessions. this was followed by a hill session focusing on leg power development. Game of Numbers as a reward for their hard efforts.
Reflective Practice
My coaching could have been more motivational. This is due to myself feeling weary and I had low motivation. I was glad that the athletes remembered the plyometric exercises and correctly demonstrated technique. However The windy weather didn’t help during the up hill efforts as it was assisting the athletes up the hill. Thus the distance was increased by a further 10m to compensate. All in all the session went well and all athletes were engaged, with a little chatter on the way and from the training areas.
Room for improvements
Next time the coach should be more motivational and demonstrate enthusiasm even when tired.
Today session involved an instructional warm up where the coaches delivered in an autocratic style due to time restraints and limited space.
This core session was testing the mental and physical fitness, to identify which athletes are more competitive and those that have strong or weaker abdominal muscles.
As a coach I focused upon their technique to prevent injury and to target the correct muscle groups. This was supported with motivational body language and verbal communication. On a few occasions; I demonstrated one to one for certain skills, for those that are visual learners.
However two athletes didn’t listen during instructions and didn’t understand. Of which I didn’t redeliver the instructions as this would hinder the others training time. For the future I will note if they do this again and will try giving them more responsibility such as organizing the warm ups. To get them more engaged with sessions.
If this differentiation with these two works; I will have a great scenario for the upcoming group presentations at university.
Also the standing long jump measurements have been recorded and are ready for further analysis.
Key points for next session:
Both grass and tartan groups are well on form and eager to participate in the plymetric session.
This session also involved 60m sprints in between sets to maintain warmth on the windy conditions. See session plans: week 6: session 13
My coaching continued to display power relations as discussed in d.piggots lecture ‘coaching teams’. This is a useful tool in coaching the athletes that sometimes drift away from task. However I only use this when motivational actions do not work with specific individuals.
The next session will be in the hall and will focus on core development ready for the next phase of plyometric training on Thursday.
In today’s session the understanding of power relations in coaching; paid off as negative behavior was quickly adjusted to positive. This also improved my confidence as a coach, which reflected in the session.
The athletes were guided through the plyometric program exercises and the standing long jump protocols. All athletes were given a choice of a game or long jump training, of which to my surprise – half continued with the jumps.
This will be further used and hope with the use of more positive reinforcement, I will be able to engage all into the sessions to come.