Great article again, Joel. Athlete development is a passion of mine. I see far too often parents and coaches rushing an athlete through the process. I see this in swimming in particular with an over emphasis maximizing volume and intensity without investing time into the technical and mental aspects of the sport, as though there is some sort of correlation between performances at 10, 11, and12 years of age with long-term success.
Joel, these are really such thought-out and valuable words. I really admire your wisdom and experience as a coach, and your wealth of knowledge and insight. I, despite not being a high level athlete, but an ambitious one, can see myself and the mistakes I have made reflected in exactly what you wrote. And I see this in so many others, particularly with the ‘popularity boom’ of endurance sports today. Thank you for sharing this piece. As a self coached athlete, I wish I had someone like you to help guide me on my journey 🙏 Your athletes are lucky! And we are lucky to have you writing ! Thank you
Very useful article. Thank you. What would you say about required work/volume for each stage for an adult beginner, at least up to the «train to compete» stage?
I wouldn't generalise on specific work/volumes, but only to say it takes longer than most of us think at first. However important to note it's not that an athlete shouldn't compete in this train to train phase, but simply that the focus is on building the training capacity.
Great article again, Joel. Athlete development is a passion of mine. I see far too often parents and coaches rushing an athlete through the process. I see this in swimming in particular with an over emphasis maximizing volume and intensity without investing time into the technical and mental aspects of the sport, as though there is some sort of correlation between performances at 10, 11, and12 years of age with long-term success.
Joel, these are really such thought-out and valuable words. I really admire your wisdom and experience as a coach, and your wealth of knowledge and insight. I, despite not being a high level athlete, but an ambitious one, can see myself and the mistakes I have made reflected in exactly what you wrote. And I see this in so many others, particularly with the ‘popularity boom’ of endurance sports today. Thank you for sharing this piece. As a self coached athlete, I wish I had someone like you to help guide me on my journey 🙏 Your athletes are lucky! And we are lucky to have you writing ! Thank you
Very useful article. Thank you. What would you say about required work/volume for each stage for an adult beginner, at least up to the «train to compete» stage?
I wouldn't generalise on specific work/volumes, but only to say it takes longer than most of us think at first. However important to note it's not that an athlete shouldn't compete in this train to train phase, but simply that the focus is on building the training capacity.