Comments on: The Fourth Element – Athlete Engagement!

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:09:50 +0000

Great article as always Wayne.
I have for a few years now tried to create that environment where there is some structure to the session to ensure everyone gets their opportunity to work, but within it the freedom of players to get what they want from the session. The challenge i have come across is that many players don’t know how to train to get better. Many train what they already know and shy away from what they are uncomfortable with. Now this is probably human nature, but the best of them seek to improve their deficiencies and not just enhance their strengths,so while they are both engaged, i think there is another level of engagement that involves a greater level of self awareness and acceptance. A little right handed batsmen from Tasmania, who has made a few runs, is the best example of this i have ever seen.

Keep up the good work

By: Wayne Goldsmith

Wayne Goldsmith — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:57:23 +0000

Thanks James.

Good point – we are well past the days of just telling kids WHAT to do and WHEN to do it and expecting blind compliance – it’s just not consistent with the way kids relate to the rest of society.
I believe we are very much into the HOW (engagement of attitude) and as you point out the WHY (mental and emotional engagement) of the evolution of coaching athletes.
I wonder what the next phase will be??

By: James Marshall

James Marshall — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:36:27 +0000

Hi Wayne,
good blog as always.
Over here I would talk about athlete engagement as one who understands why they are training, and wants to improve over the long term.

It is pretty hard to “engage” an athlete if they don’t show up for sessions.

I would also talk about Governing Body “engagement” as often there are administrators who don’t understand the long term training process needed for success.
(rant over).

By: Wayne Goldsmith

Wayne Goldsmith — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 03:22:41 +0000

Great question.
With that age group, often the more you try to engage them, the less they want to do it!
Challenge them – don’t force the engagement – allow the engagement to happen.
Provide opportunities for them to engage by giving them challenges and problems in training that can only be solved with the full engagement of their talents and potential.
Also, keep reminding them that what you offer is the starting point – that your coaching is the basic framework for them to become all they can be – it is up to them and their level of commitment / engagement that will determine how far they go in cycling.

Thanks,

By: Karl Mustchin

Karl Mustchin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:42:00 +0000

Wayne
Great blog, my only question is how do you get the athlete to engage. I work with 14-17 year olds and some engage and some don’t. I use multiple different means to try and help them achieve but in there age group you have to constatntly change your approach. Do you know of particular steps that work with this age group.

By: Wayne Goldsmith

Wayne Goldsmith — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Thanks Brian.

It’s like any field of endeavour. Most people do the minimum – i.e. the basic “what” – but in every team, every school class, every work place, there are a small group who strive for the maximum because they have engaged body, mind and spirit with what ever they do. It is this group which changes the world!

Thanks again,

By: Wayne Goldsmith

Wayne Goldsmith — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:14:01 +0000

Thanks Eric.

Watch for several articles coming up on integrated, multi-disciplinary sports science – what I call Performance Science.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:00:26 +0000

Great article Wayne, always refreshing to read your blog stories… keep ‘m coming mate.

By: Brian Stephens

Brian Stephens — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:25:09 +0000

Great blog Wayne. I couldn’t agree more.