Our Coaching Philosophy

Coaching is always said to be an art. Why? One must know the balance between relying on scientific knowledge in a practical useful world, and the knowledge gained from experience, observation, and intuition. Science should be our first base of knowledge, if the source is relative and has validity. Also, one should not rely upon a one-time research. Knowing when to apply particular sources of knowledge in each situation to gain optimal performance is an art. No artist has a formula in order to create a masterpiece, but every artist has principles and a flow that guides him or her. Although a coach should never use a formula, because a formula really does not exist, the four sources of knowledge (science, experience, observation, and intuition) should guide one every step of the way. The principle of progressive overload, the principle of adaptation, and the principle of regression should be leading one's thought processes. A true artist's masterpiece will come when the artist learns to accept that a coach needs to apply the principles of science, and a scientist needs to apply the principles of coaching. No one said this is easy, and that is why coaching is an art.

Resistance training is a vital, but often neglected, aspect in the conditioning of an athlete in any sport. Regardless of the sport, research has proven time and time again that every athlete should incorporate periodization into one's program. As stated by Alex Holton, a CSCS at Body Checks Health and Fitness in Winston-Salem , N.C. , “Tip men, let's remember to put aside the ‘muscle head' mentality and lift safely for a strong, balanced physique. Ladies, aggressive resistance training will make you strong and shapely, not big and bulky.” The reason one calls this type of conditioning ‘resistance training', rather than strength training, is due to the fact of what one's goals change with each periodization cycle. Therefore, one does not always gain strength, just as one does not always bulk up in size. Through resistance training, one can gain muscular endurance, and this can also cause an increase in muscle size. However, one can increase strength and power without necessarily increasing significantly in muscle size. The goal is to try and stay as functional to the sport as possible, while maintaining a base of the fundamental components of fitness (muscular endurance, muscular strength, power, speed, body composition, and flexibility). Thus, resistance training can improve performance, enhance health, and prevent injury.

A coach's attitude toward winning can either prevent or enhance an injury. Winning is great and can be a short-term goal. However, the primary, and long-term, goal is the athlete first. The goal is to not just to win every event. In fact, one may not be able to win any events. However, by prolonging one's athletic career, an athlete can win later in life by outlasting another competitor. One way to assure an athlete stays in the sport for the long haul is to make his or her experience positive. Never use activity as a punishment, and on the day of competition take the pressure off winning and focus on having fun. If one can maintain a love for the sport, the love is what keeps a person coming back again and again when other things are not going spectacular.

There is no shame in not winning, but there is shame in not striving for excellence. I Corinthians 9:24 states, “to run your race so that you may win.” God's Word does not state to win, but the Word does state that one should run as if one could and will win. Psalms 33:3 states one should play an instrument skillfully. In order for a musician or an athlete to play skillfully, one has to practice and train in excellence. It is not enough to practice in large quantities, but to practice smart and with great quality. Consistency is the key component for success in any program, followed by striving for excellence. So, if one develops the character in life to have fun and consistently pursue one's best effort (being smart to prevent injury), the individual is always a winner.