Topic: Training little kids demands more from Club Coach's Course

[Joe Hanson]

My coaching career has skyrocketed from the formal coaching education provided by USAW.  As important as the formal education has been, the informal education/teaching from interaction with USAW coaches at either National meets or through emails and phone calls has been invaluable.

We all know about schools dropping P.E.  Plus kids are either hyper specialized in Soccer/baseball/volleyball etc. at too young an age or are video game slugs.

Much has been written about the need of "GPP" for young athletes.  The concept is preached by USAW and the NSCA.  I'm in complete agreement conceptually.  My problem is in the practical application.  Do I need to go back to college for a degree in Elementary P.E. education?  What is the most practical way to learn how to teach basic tumbling for kids, basic strength and conditioning for kids and basic technique running for kids.

The 12 week program in the club coaches manual is great.  Is there a systemic approach to bodyweight/circuit training for kids?

Right now I'm teaching basic run drills, push ups, old-fashioned sit-ups, power movements with a stick and light bar, jumps and lunges, no squats for kids under 12.  

With the new rules changes from the IWF, I'd be in favor if weightlifting contests for kids changed so that either a 6 lift total counts or having technique graded.

I'm trying to put together a "GPP" contest through my company, Athlete Development Center, inc.  We'll grade Light barbell technique on power movements, 100 meter races, long jump, max push-ups, "safe" sit-ups.

Love this forum

Joe Hanson
Director of Athlete Development
Athlete Development Center, inc.

[Grant Gardis]

Joe

This is a great idea.  We are planning on doing something similiar.  I think the need for more GPP to develop work capacity is greatly overlooked in favor of getting a high total.

Keep up the great work.  I enjoyed working with you at camp.  I hope we can do it again.

Rufus

[ButchCurry]

If we were to do it, I'll start with the basic assumption that we will have a 1-10 (like Gymnastics, Diving, etc) or 1-6 (like Figure Skating) point system. My question is about the idea of technique competitions...
 
Who says what perfect technique is? Those other sports have code of points, with descriptions on how to do it correctly. Then they usually have clinics to teach everyone what they're after.
 
For example, is  
1. The Yuri Vardanian High Butt Technique perfect? Or  
 
2. The Natalie Woolfolk start (sit down and rock back until the lower back is perpendicular to the floor)? Or  
 
3. The Curt White & Wes Barnett dive start?  
 
So who gets the 10? Those are just 3 quick examples and we haven't even gotten the bar past the knees yet.
 
Now decide things like flat foot vs on toes; Pull back & Jump back vs an S pull; Power vs Split vs Squat Jerk? And many, many more.
 
I can't wait to see that rule book written.
 

[Joe Hanson]

Have you seen Coach Burgener's scoring system?
Let's distinguish between style and technique.  Long arm short torso athletes set up and pull differently than short limb-long torso athletes.  I'm for bent arms rounded back being red-lighted.  When getting started, I read an article that said if your "coach's eye" cringes, trust your instinct.  As you get better as a coach, you'll know causes and how to fix technique problems.

To avoid controversy, counting all six lifts would be easier and get the same point across.

Speaking of coach Burgener, I cannot get over how helpful so many of our best coaches are at helping people.

Joe H