FOUR REFLECTIONS FROM OUR INTERNSHIPS

22 Apr

EDITORS NOTE:
This is an article from Marco & Ricky who are currently working as strength & conditioning coaches for the Italian Rugby Federation in the academy set-up.

Marco and Ricky attained their undergrad in Sports Sciences at the University of Turin before completing a MSc in Sport Performance Coaching from the University of Stirling (Marco), and a MSc in Performance Coaching at Setanta College (Riccardo). They have been working together for 4 years, and have provided S&C support to a variety of athletic populations including; pro tennis players, pro combat sports athletes, track and field athletes, and pro basketball players.

Marco is a former intern of mine from his Biella Rugby days, and I thought it would be great to have him and Riccardo share some of their experiences and learnings to date.

Written by Macro Pivotto & Riccardo Bonassisa

1.PLAYERS COME FIRST, THEY ARE THE REASON YOU HAVE A JOB

Players come first. This perspective underscores the recognition that without athletes, there would be no need for coaches, support staff, or even sport organisations. As such, the well-being, development, and success of the players should always be the primary focus. From a S&C coach's perspective, this mantra serves as a guiding principle in every aspect of work. It begins with a deep understanding of the athletes' needs, goals, and capabilities. The modern-day coach should recognize that each athlete is unique and should be treated accordingly. By prioritizing players, the coach can tailor training programmes to optimize performance, enhance physical abilities, and minimize risk of injury. The coach's commitment to putting the players first should extend beyond the gym or training field. It involves building trust-based relationships, fostering open communication, and providing unwavering support. The coach becomes not only a trainer but also a mentor, confidant, and advocate for the athletes' holistic development. Whether it's offering guidance on nutrition, recovery strategies, or mental toughness, the coach is dedicated to empowering the players to excel both on and off the field.

Moreover, the concept of “players come first" emphasizes the coach's role as a facilitator of success rather than a figure of authority. Coaches should understand that their job is not to dictate but to collaborate with the players in pursuit of common goals. By creating a positive and inclusive training environment, the coach empowers the players to take ownership of their journey, instilling a sense of accountability, discipline, and autonomy. Ultimately, from the perspective of a S&C coach, this philosophy is not just a professional obligation but a profound privilege. It is a constant reminder of the profound impact that we have on athletes’ lives and careers, driving them to continuously strive for excellence and uphold the highest standards of performance, professionalism, and dedication.

2. NOBODY CAN DO IT ALL…AND THAT’S OK

In the realm of sports training, it's essential to recognise that not every athlete enters the gym with the same level of technical proficiency, and that's perfectly okay. Athletes come from diverse backgrounds, with varying degrees of experience and familiarity with gym equipment and exercises. As a coach, it's your responsibility to meet athletes where they are and tailor training programmes around their individual capabilities.

Understanding and accepting this variability is crucial for fostering a positive and inclusive training environment. Rather than expecting uniformity in skill level, coaches should embrace the diversity of their athletes and view it as an opportunity for growth and development. Each athlete brings their own strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles to the table, and it's the coach's role to leverage these differences to optimise performance. Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all approach to training, coaches should adopt a flexible and adaptive mindset. This means designing training programmes that align with their current abilities while challenging them to progress over time.

Moreover, coaches should prioritise effective communication and hands-on instruction to help athletes improve their technical proficiency in the gym.

By tailoring training programmes around athletes' capabilities and providing the necessary support and guidance, coaches can help athletes unlock their full potential and achieve success on and off the field.

3. RE-EVALUATE PLANS CONSISTENTLY

In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of professional rugby, re-evaluating plans consistently within the performance team is not just a best practice—it's an essential component of success. The ability to adapt and recalibrate plans in real-time is crucial for staying competitive and achieving goals.

Within the performance team of a professional rugby club, constant re-evaluation of plans begins with a commitment to ongoing assessment and analysis. This involves regularly monitoring and collecting data on various aspects of player performance. By leveraging data analysis and sports science technologies, the performance team can gain valuable insights into individual and team performance trends, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to optimise training programs.

Moreover, re-evaluating plans consistently requires a mindset of flexibility and adaptability. While long-term goals provide a guiding framework, the performance team must remain agile and responsive to changing circumstances. This may involve adjusting training schedules, modifying training sessions, or implementing new recovery strategies based on emerging insights or unexpected developments.

Ultimately, the goal of re-evaluating plans consistently within the performance team of a professional rugby club is to maximise the team's potential and achieve peak performance on match day. By embracing a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration, the performance team can stay ahead of the competition and navigate the complexities of elite-level rugby with confidence and resilience.

“Just when your body has all the answers, you have to change the questions.”

4. K.I.S.S.

The K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle is a fundamental concept that emphasises the effectiveness of simplicity in various domains, including professional team sports periodization and decision-making processes. Here's how the K.I.S.S. principle applies:

1. Periodization and Planning

Periodization involves dividing the season into distinct phases, each with specific goals and training emphasis. Applying the K.I.S.S. principle to periodization means avoiding unnecessary complexity in planning. Coaches prioritise essential factors such as building a solid foundation, gradually increasing intensity, and then strategically alternating training approaches to avoid accommodation. By keeping the plan simple and straightforward, coaches can effectively manage athletes' workload, potentially reduce the risk of injuries, and optimise performance outcomes.

2. Training Programme Design

When developing training programmes for professional athletes, coaches should apply the K.I.S.S. principle to ensure clarity, focus, and effectiveness. Rather than overcomplicating routines with an excessive number of exercises or complex methodologies, coaches must prioritise simplicity. They identify key performance indicators and focus on exercises and drills that directly contribute to achieving desired outcomes. This approach helps athletes understand their training objectives better and allows coaches to monitor progress more effectively.

3. Communication and Feedback

Clear communication and feedback are essential components of successful team dynamics. The K.I.S.S. principle encourages coaches to convey information in a straightforward manner, avoiding jargon or unnecessary complexity. By keeping communication simple and concise, coaches ensure that athletes understand expectations, instructions, and feedback. This approach fosters a supportive environment where athletes can focus on their performance and make necessary adjustments effectively.

In conclusion, the application of the K.I.S.S. principle within professional team sports periodization and decision-making processes promotes clarity, focus, and effectiveness. By prioritising simplicity and avoiding unnecessary complexity, coaches can optimise training programmes, enhance decision making, and ultimately maximize team performance.