Who Needs a Coach?

The athletes that are most hesitant to obtain a coach could
often benefit the most. A common perception is that coaching is
for “serious” athletes only. In actuality, anyone who wants to
work toward a physical goal, or reach their true potential can
benefit greatly from coaching. A proper foundation for beginners
is crucial so that bad form is not carried forward and made bad
habit. Many athletes in hindsight wish they had the benefit of
coaching earlier in their career. How many times have you said
“if I only knew then, what I know now…”

I was once asked a pointed question by a potential athlete;
“what can a coach do for me that I can not find in a book?” The
answer is specificity. A proper coaching program is personally
specific to an athlete’s needs. The plan considers the athlete’s
individual strengths and weaknesses, skill, training history,
injuries, lifestyle, equipment, fitness level, goals, diet, and
a myriad of other data. It can be the difference between buying
a custom made suit versus randomly selecting one off the rack.

The first step in building a coaching plan is evaluation. A
coach may outline an entire year’s worth of training around
specific goal events. They will ask you when you want to “peak”
or be at your best. Field tests or metabolic testing may need to
be performed to determine heart rate zones, and flexibility is
tested for normal joint range of motion. The plan will be
“periodized” with different training periods and work outs; each
building off of the previous. Training will move from general to
specific as you approach your peak. Training near peak may even
consider the individual terrain and characteristics of the race.

Coaches monitor progress and make adjustments to an athlete’s
schedule as required. Adjustments need to be made for an
individual’s time constraints, to recover from or prevent
potential injury, and to administer additional rest and
recovery. A coach has to read between the lines a lot and
consider an athletes mental state. Are they burned or under
emotional stress? Are they challenged enough? They also adjust
motivational cues from athlete to athlete. Some athletes respond
well to simple orders, while others like to know the reason
behind what they are doing. Strength training is administered
based on the athlete’s goals, and routine design may promote
hypertrophy, power, or muscular endurance.

Perhaps one of the best things coaches provide is consistent,
accurate, and clear feedback. Skill sets such as cornering,
climbing, and proper running form are best accomplished while
under direct supervision. Coaches can also teach mental skills
such as visualization and positive self talk which can have a
tremendous impact on performance.

Training should be a gradual building process, work out to work
out, month to month, season to season. If your goal is general
fitness or exercise you probably do not need a coach. But if you
have a specific goal in mind, coaching can provide the quickest,
safest, and most effective route to accomplishment. If you
decide to hire a coach, make sure they are licensed by a
national governing body such as USA Triathlon, USA Track &
Field, or USA Cycling. You should also check references and
competitive experience. Lastly make sure that your personalities
mesh and that your coach is someone you enjoy and respect.

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