Written by: Jeff Watson
The first step for all young, aspiring Strength and Conditioning Coaches is to learn what the athlete needs and why they come to see you. More often than not, they are not coming to you because they actually enjoy training. It’s more likely that a sport coach, a parent, a mentor or even a teammate has told them “You need to get Bigger, Faster, Stronger.”
They didn’t come to you because of your education. They didn’t come to you because they think you are the best in your field. Sorry, ego shot.
They came to you because THEY HAVE TO.
Now it’s on you to make them realize why they need you. And that starts with learning their goals, their strengths, their weaknesses. Learn what their sport requires to perform but also what is holding them back from reaching the next level.
Too often young coaches get stuck in the “Perfect Program” or the only way to train someone is the way they learned in one text book or one course. Coaches think social media, their own training videos and weekend certification makes them a top tier coach. Meanwhile, the real world is happening and the athlete needs to know you have their back and you will do anything to help them achieve their goals. So put your phone down, be present and listen to what the athlete has to say.
That is where the social side of coaching lies. In the professional relationship and rapport you build with each and every athlete that walks into your gym. You may not own the place, but you better treat it like it’s your gym (that is a talk for another day).
So how do I train this athlete if you just told me to forget the textbook?
Start with what you know and ask questions of what you don’t know. What are their short term and long term goals? What is their injury history? Where do they see themselves playing in 5 years? What drives them to get up every day and train for that sport?
Bottom line – Find their motivation. Then use that motivation to continue to support them along the journey. Build a program that takes into account their weaknesses, builds on their strengths and ultimately lands them a better athlete than when they showed up at your door.
The Athlete First Mentality means you put your ego aside and you put the athlete’s needs ahead of your own. You had a plan that day to put them through the hardest workout you have ever created but their dog just died and they failed a midterm…time to adjust. You had a heavy PR day setup so you could show the world you made this athlete better, but they slept funny and can’t move their neck now…time to adjust.
So how do I train this athlete if you just told me to forget the textbook?
Start with what you know and ask questions of what you don’t know. What are their short term and long term goals? What is their injury history? Where do they see themselves playing in 5 years? What drives them to get up every day and train for that sport?
Bottom line – Find their motivation. Then use that motivation to continue to support them along the journey. Build a program that takes into account their weaknesses, builds on their strengths and ultimately lands them a better athlete than when they showed up at your door.
The Athlete First Mentality means you put your ego aside and you put the athlete’s needs ahead of your own. You had a plan that day to put them through the hardest workout you have ever created but their dog just died and they failed a midterm…time to adjust. You had a heavy PR day setup so you could show the world you made this athlete better, but they slept funny and can’t move their neck now…time to adjust.
No matter what the scenario, no matter what the story, ask yourself one simple question every day you have the opportunity to change someone’s life…is this plan in the best interest of the athlete? Or…is it in MY best interest?
I can guarantee you this. If you really want to change lives, build an athlete empire, and be a part of someone’s journey to success, you have to think about them first, you second. But there is no better feeling than seeing them succeed knowing that you played a small part.
Keep showing up for THEM. They will keep showing up for YOU!
Jeff is the owner of Elite Training Systems in Whitby, ON and has 15 years of experience training athletes across a variety of sports (hockey, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and track). Jeff is passionate about developing well educated young coaches and continuing to drive Long Term Athlete Development in Canada.
