Join us for a deep dive into the paper "An Integrative Definition of Coaching Effectiveness and Expertise" by Côté and Gilbert . Forget just focusing on finish times; this episode explores what truly makes a coach effective and an expert.

Source: An Integrative Definition of Coaching Effectiveness and Expertise

We unpack the authors' groundbreaking definition, revealing the three essential pillars of coaching success: coaches' knowledge, encompassing not just your understanding of drills and training programmes (professional knowledge), but also your ability to connect with athletes (interpersonal knowledge) and reflect on your own practice (intrapersonal knowledge).

Finally, discover how effective coaching goes beyond performance outcomes to shape athletes' competence, confidence, connection, and character – the four crucial 'C's that lead to holistic development both on and off the track.

This episode explores the impact of mental fatigue on athletes, particularly in track and field, and the crucial role coaches play in both mitigating fatigue and promoting recovery.

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Key Takeaways:

🔹 Mental fatigue affects performance: 96% of practitioners agree it has a major impact on training and competition.
🔹 Signs of mental fatigue: Decreased session quality, loss of focus, slower reaction times, hesitation under pressure.
🔹 Mental recovery is key: Athletes who prioritise it adapt better to training, regulate emotions more effectively, and improve performance.

Action Items for Coaches

Assess Mental Fatigue & Recovery

• Only 23.7% of practitioners assess recovery—start including subjective and objective measures!
• Use quick check-ins like energy-level surveys, mood tracking, or training log reflections.
• Leverage technology (e.g., heart rate variability monitoring) to track fatigue levels.

Integrate Mental Resilience into Training

• Introduce mental load in drills:
  • Add time constraints or decision-making tasks to technical sessions.
  • For sprinters: Vary reaction times in starts.
  • For distance runners: Simulate pace changes under distractions.
  • For jumpers and throwers: Add 'chaos' drills that ask athletes to make adjustments to their technique mid-action.
• Thi can also support athletes to meet mental demands in competition.

Offer Recovery Options

• Encourage self-selected recovery strategies: Mindfulness, guided imagery, restorative breaks.
• Explain the benefits of different techniques and allow athletes to choose what works best.

Foster Collaboration

• Communicate with athletes, sports psychologists, strength coaches, and nutritionists.
• Regularly check in on training loads, sleep patterns, and mental state.

Source: Successful Talent Development in Track and Field: Considering the Role of Environment (Authored by Henriksen, Stambulova, and Rossler).

What makes a track and field club a powerhouse for developing elite athletes? In this episode, we dive into a fascinating study on IFK Växjö, a Swedish club with a track record of producing top talent. Using a holistic ecological approach, the research uncovers key factors that contribute to its success—cohesive groups, a strong organisational culture, and a long-term focus on athlete development. We break down the essential preconditions, processes, and cultural values that create an environment where young athletes thrive

Source: Australian Athletics Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

As a coach, you play a crucial role in creating a safe and supportive environment for young athletes. In this episode, the hosts break down the key takeaways from Australian Athletics' comprehensive safeguarding policy. From understanding how to handle physical touch, communicating with athletes online, and transporting athletes, you'll learn why familiarising yourself with the full policy is vital—not just as a compliance requirement, but as a commitment to athlete wellbeing.

This episode explores common errors in squat form, focusing on heel rise, knee collapse, hip/shoulder movement discrepancies, and spinal rounding. It outlines a bottom-up assessment method, progressing from feet to shoulders.

The episode also provides both verbal and non-verbal correction strategies for each error, including using cues and physical adjustments like wall positioning and resistance bands.

Finally, the hosts discuss the importance of proper bar placement for both back and front squats.

Source

• Optimizing Squat Technique

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• The Horizontal Jumps

This episode introduces the general principles of the long jump and triple jump. It details the biomechanics and techniques involved in both events, highlighting key similarities and differences between the two disciplines.

The importance of approach run and take-off in achieving optimal jump distance is emphasised. Training methodologies, including plyometrics and weight training, are discussed for improving performance.

World Athletics commissioned a four-year study to analyse online abuse targeting its athletes across four major events. The study, using AI and human analysis, examined 1.4 million posts and comments across multiple platforms, revealing persistent themes of racism, sexism, and sexualised abuse. The research identified key trends, such as the disproportionate targeting of certain athletes and the increasing use of emojis to circumvent platform rules.

Source

• Online Abuse in Athletics, World Athletics

Your Role in Managing Online Abuse

1. Education: Read the full report, stay up-to-date with trends in online abuse, and know what resources are available for athletes.
2. Communication: Talk to your athletes by having honest and open conversations about online safety.
3. Action: Encourage athletes to report abuse, support them if they do, and push for stronger protections from social media companies and governing bodies.

Find information on sport integrity and how to make a report or complaint to Athletics Australia here.

This episode discusses key AIS findings regarding the use of Cold Water Immersion (CWI) for athlete recovery, highlighting both potential benefits and important considerations.

Sources

• Water Immersion Overview
• CWI - Is it Worth the Plunge?

CWI may offer slight, short-term recovery benefits following endurance-focused exercise, potentially reducing the time needed for recovery during periods of intensive training. It could also be beneficial after resistance training by reducing the inflammatory response and promoting muscle protein synthesis, although post-exercise nutrition should be considered. CWI may help mitigate muscle damage after high impact activities like plyometrics or hill sprints, particularly with increases in training load or muscle soreness.

During the competitive season, CWI may be used more frequently to prepare for competition, but caution is needed to avoid impacting training adaptations. In the pre-season, CWI can be strategically used to promote recovery and improve the athlete's perception of recovery, though impacts on training adaptation should be considered. Coaches should also consider the schedule of events when using CWI, ensuring it doesn't impact same-day performance, and it might be most useful following competition or a demanding session. Furthermore, CWI can be useful during injury recovery with professional guidance.

Key Messages:

• CWI should NEVER take priority over methods like sleep, nutrition, and hydration, and its timing and protocol (immersion duration and temperature) should be carefully considered.
• It is important to consider environmental conditions, with CWI being potentially more beneficial in hot weather, and individual factors such as age, sex, and body composition, along with athlete's feedback and preferences.
• CWI should be used carefully as it can impair muscle protein synthesis and may be harmful for those with peripheral vascular disease, with some athletes being more responsive than others.

If implemented, CWI should be integrated within a periodized plan and coach and athlete should consult with qualified professionals before implementation.