| The key to success for any sports program is to | | | | same drills over and over again. There are many |
| carefully plan and implement a well designed and | | | | books, guides and ebooks out there on the market |
| structured training plan. | | | | that can literally provide you with hundreds of drills |
| To do this, several steps need to be followed in order | | | | which will help you add variety to your programs. |
| for this to happen successfully: | | | | Global Sports Coaching for example has the biggest |
| Design a general plan following the various phases of | | | | collection of tennis drills available to all tennis coaches. |
| the season. By doing this, you will be able to carefully | | | | Show enthusiasm and give positive feedback to your |
| plan specific areas to work on depending on which | | | | athletes. People perform better and respond in a more |
| season you are in (pre-season, competitive, post- | | | | positive way when they are given constructive |
| season). This will also allow athletes to clearly see a | | | | comments rather than continuous criticism. |
| structured program that you have set in place for | | | | Make the session fun. Include game-like fitness drills |
| them. | | | | (cross training with another sport). People mostly |
| Set specific goals for that particular phase and then | | | | participate in sports because they find them fun and |
| create structured training sessions for that period of | | | | rewarding. Athletes should be able to work hard and |
| time (e.g. developing endurance in the pre-season). | | | | also enjoy their sport. |
| Experienced coaches know when to change from | | | | Perform testing early on in the pre-season and record |
| one training phase to another. For example, strength | | | | the progress made by each athlete. Testing is a very |
| training is needed before power or plyometrics training. | | | | important component of any training program as it |
| Flexibility is needed before speed training. | | | | provides specific information on the progress (or lack |
| Design each individual training session with a specific | | | | of progress) being made. |
| goal in mind (such as working on agility, power or | | | | Once certain goals are met, then increase the number |
| speed). A training session without any structure or | | | | of drills, the intensity, repetitions, sets, and so on to |
| guidance will lead to unsatisfactory results. It's not the | | | | constantly challenge your players. |
| amount of time you spend training but the quality and | | | | Have a back-up plan. If you plan a session outdoors |
| what you get out of it that is important. | | | | and it rains, then have a back-up plan for an indoor |
| Carry out the session by properly instructing and | | | | session. This is important for some outdoor sports |
| teaching each skill, being organized, punctual and in | | | | such as tennis or golf. Athletes from these sports can |
| control of your athletes. Basically, as a coach, you | | | | still go inside a sports facility and perform some fitness |
| need to lead by example. Your athletes will feed off | | | | training or even discuss tactics. |
| your drive and motivation to succeed and they will in | | | | Allow for individual differences between athletes. |
| return give back the effort that you are willing to put in. | | | | Some athletes may excel in the speed drills but |
| Key Tips for conducting a successful training session: | | | | perform poorly in the strength drills. Set individual goals |
| Having a plan is essential. | | | | for each player. Football coaches have learned over |
| Design a session using sport specific exercises. | | | | the years to split up their athletes according to position |
| Be organized, if you are not, then your players will | | | | or abilities. For example, American college football |
| notice. | | | | teams often train with their own individual coaches |
| Make it fun and allow your athletes to enjoy their sport. | | | | such as special teams, kicking coach, offensive or |
| Be observant in your training sessions. | | | | defensive coaches. |
| Teach, coach and instruct your team in a positive way. | | | | After each session, make notes on what went well, |
| Strive to improve on every training session. | | | | what needs to be worked on further, record all test |
| Lead by example. | | | | scores, and think of ways to improve on the next |
| Have a back-up plan if the weather conditions are not | | | | session. |
| suitable. | | | | Check that all of the equipment is in good working |
| Specific Goals For Each Training Session: | | | | order. Besides preventing an accident due to faulty |
| Give clear instructions on how to perform each skill. | | | | equipment, having your equipment organized will allow |
| Some of your athletes may have already mastered | | | | for the smooth running of drills and training sessions. |
| the skill required of them and some may be struggling | | | | Be sure that the surface is appropriate for the fitness |
| with the technical aspects of that skill. This is one of | | | | component that you are training. For example, would |
| the most important aspects for a coach of a team to | | | | you take your basketball players out onto the football |
| understand, not all of your athletes respond in the | | | | field to do some cross training knowing that there are |
| same way! | | | | pot holes on the playing area and thus leading to |
| Demonstrate the skill to the group and then answer | | | | increased risk of twisting an ankle? It is often best to |
| questions if asked. Some athletes respond better | | | | conduct your training sessions on the actual surface |
| when a skill is "visually" demonstrated rather than you | | | | that you will compete on. For example, tennis players |
| just describing how to perform the skill. | | | | should perform their speed and agility training on the |
| Carefully plan appropriate drills for the time allocated, | | | | surface they play their matches on. |
| that is maximize your time available. Follow strict | | | | To be successful as an athlete you must learn how to |
| guidelines on the number of sets, repetitions and rest | | | | train at the highest levels in order to achieve this |
| used in order to maintain a smooth running session. | | | | success when in competition. As the old saying goes |
| Include variety into your training sessions, otherwise | | | | "Practice How You Want to play. |
| your athletes will become bored with performing the | | | | |