Tex | 03.10.2012

#KnowledgeBomb, Day 4. This segment is from our old coach and friend, Cali. Her latest travels have afforded her an opportunity to meet many new coaches and take on a gaggle of new clients. Even with her change in scenery, she still remains true to her coaching roots that got her where she is today. Thank you, Cali for sharing your insight!

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You Live, You Learn (how to become a better coach)

A Coach Needs a Coach 
I am very aware of the qualities and characteristics that I lack, both as a coach and an athlete.  These are the attributes that I look for in my coach.  For myself, personally, I want the coach to be adept and knowledgeable in skills like agility, sprint mechanics, and sports specific training.  Skills aside, I look for the coaches ability to efficiently correct form or poor movement using one or two verbal or tactile cues.  This displays the coach’s experience level and overall understanding of how each individual learns.  At the end of the day, it’s about getting better and if a coach doesn’t have the concise language or experience to quickly identify physiological issues and similarly provide solutions, they are not coaching- they are cheerleading.

Just Like Alanis Said… “You Live, You Learn (how to become a better coach).”
So many things, I hardly know where to begin.  I am constantly learning from other coaches.  The learning has ranged from unique ways to scale to innumerable techniques to improve one’s movements through mobility or coaching cues (just watch Jim coach- amazing).  I have learned importance of rest days- both mentally and physically (learned that from Tex and would have never gotten a muscle up without trusting his coaching).   Although I am an avid follower of the 3P’s model (Persistent Pursuit of Perfection) I have also learned from other coaches that some athletes do not adhere to the same principle.  Sometimes you must take an athlete or client at their current state and make a deal with yourself…”As long as this person is moving better and staying safe, I will not allow myself to become frustrated over their half ass effort.”  In addition, my most recent venture in California has opened my eyes to the importance of gymnastics and moving in as many planes of motion using gymnastics in warmups to aid stability and athleticism.  These bits are just a fraction of what I continue to implement in my coaching everyday.

Shitty Coaching- You Know it When You See It
Honestly.  It’s true.  Even if you are a novice crossfitter or athlete you can usually pick out the duds when it comes to coaching.  There’s just something “off”.  Usually they will repeat the same cues when trying to correct someone- it’s because they don’t have a lot of experience and very few tools in their toolbox.  Look for bad attitudes- bleh!  Who wants a coach who is unenthusiastic or egotistical?  No one.  I’ve also met a lot of “my way or the highway” coaches.  These dudes and dudettes are not open to learning or reject new information rather than examining the material and determining whether or not it makes sense.  Ask your coach tons of questions- if they don’t have the answers or their answers seem fishy- seek help elsewhere.  We are not encyclopedias but this is our field and we are paid to know the “what” and “why” of training.

Striving for Success
Success comes in many forms.  First and foremost I strive to do no harm.  I want to keep each individual as healthy as possible by not exacerbating already existing injuries or limitations.  Second, I want to provide an environment where they will want to train consistently.  Nothing happens overnight so I firmly believe if you can give the athlete a coaching environment where they receive what they want and need, they are mine…for forever.  That is going to differ depending on the individual- some will want an uber competitive scene where they are challenged everyday and others will want a place where they can move and ask questions without feeling embarrassed.  I believe strongly that if you can play to that person’s preference you will see them train consistently and then you will have the opportunity to address all of their shortcomings, essentially creating a client who not only wants to train for the long term but takes an active role in their own athletic development.

-Cali

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Mobility:

Squat Prep

SWOD:

Squats 3×5- add 2.5/5# from last workout

DWOD:

As many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:

10 Supine Rows
10 True Push Ups

*True Push Ups are done with both hands and feet balancing on parallets, make sure you get your chest below parallel.

Post total rounds completed.