Coaching Material

Hey Guys,

Today I’ve chosen to blog about a topic that come up in discussion with a fellow blogger Sarah Taylor in regard to coaching material.

When completing most assignments in sport coaching or sport science, you will look at journals and books for information regarding the topic that you are looking for.  However, some of the time these materials are too specific and may not be what you’re looking for, so where do you turn to next?

Websites, videos and coaching manuals from NSO are the most common as they are specific for the needs, however in most occasions they are not peer reviewed or backed up by scientific research.  Does this mean the information is incorrect and cannot be used, if not, where is the line drawn to what constitutes valid material that people can implement to their training or coaching regime?

And I would like to know your thoughts on your experiences with using coaching material that does not have scientific evidence behind it and for your coaching or training purposes?

For Example:

Recently when completing an assignment at Univerisity, I had to coach the fundamental skills of AFL to a novice. When researching for information on the skills of AFL, there was only research on a biomechanical analysis of skills or the tactical aspects of the game, something far to technical for a novice. However when looking on the internet and after talking to the Development Manager of the AFL in Canberra, I was lead to several coaching manuals made for the use of coaching novices. Once speaking to the development manager, I found that it however had no scientific research done on the methods of coaching or of the ways to teach the skills, however it had been determined that these methods were best way of teaching this to athletes in this stage of learning.

Similarly a mate of mine was struggling at the gym and had an aim of gaining muscle mass. He didn’t go to university so he therefore did not utilize the journal and books. However through the use of some useful websites he was able to constantly gain in muscle mass, through the periodization of gym sessions, changes in nutrition habits and recovery processes.

Anyway let me know what you think.

Cheers