Welcome to Coaching Zone – Rodger Harkins

After a very busy summer, the wheel turns again. Athletes and coaches will be back into the hard work which hopefully should yield improvements along with good results next year. At the start of that cycle we had a very well attended Coaching Conference at the Emirates. I am sure many coaches will have benefited from the expertise delivered at the seminars and in the workshops.
To support that process we have the up and coming Event Days, of which the details are below, then of course we have Coaching Zone itself and I would encourage as many coaches as possible to make use of this valuable resource. As coaches we all must recognise that the day we stop learning is the day we stop improving.  Rodger

Specific preparatory exercises for hammer

Malcolm Fenton leads a group of the UK’s leading hammer throwers through a series of specific preparatory exercises that he has developed for his training. (Video 23:27m) Suitable for: Event group and event specialist coaches working with hammer throwers.

Endurance running technique

Athletics 365 is a multi-event, young people’s development programme, which introduces athletes to the fundamental skills of athletics (vital to every sport). Each clip provides coaches with an example of a young athlete demonstrating competent technique for the various stages of progression.
In this section, Athletics 365 describes how you can develop the ability to sustain running pace, good endurance, pace judgement and rhythm. Athletes should look to gradually increase the distance and time they run over and work on their pace judgement to ensure effective running and rhythm. (Video – various lengths) Suitable for: Club coaches working with eight to 15-year-old athletes

Coordination & dynamic balance – jumping movements

In this section, Athletics 365 describes coordination skills such as throwing, jumping and even hopscotch, requiring your brain and body to work together to create the correct movement smoothly. When practicing coordination, athletes should try slowing down for more difficult challenges. (Video: Various lengths) Suitable for: Club coaches working with eight to 15-year-old athletes.

Speed Reserve in the 400m

The 400m race is an event requiring both speed and high intensity endurance and is acknowledged to be the toughest sprint because of the debilitating discomfort induced during its execution. In this article, French sprints coach PJ Vazel uses historical data to explain the role of speed reserve in the 400m. (Publication – uCoach) Suitable for: Event group and event specialist coaches working with 400m athletes.

Book – An introduction to athlete development

This book has been written by world-leading movement and conditioning expert Kelvin Giles and adapted for scottishathletics. It is key reading for any coach wishing to gain an insight and guidance into developing athletes from age eight to senior level. Cost – £17 Click the link above for more information and ordering details.

Event group coach development days

scottishathletics National Coach Mentors and guest coaches will deliver a number of practical workshops and seminars focusing on the key areas around the development of physical and technical competencies and seasonal planning for the club athlete.
These days are specifically developed for athletics and event group coaches working with club athletes. They are scheduled with a focus on either the winter or summer seasons and will provide fantastic opportunities for coaches to gain valuable information and learning.
Forthcoming event group coach development days:
26 October – Emirates Arena 7 December – Grangemouth and Pitreavie 22 March – Grangemouth and Pitreavie
The sessions will be led on those days by: Speed – Tony Hadley Throws – David Parker Jumps – Femi Akinsanya Endurance – Mark Pollard
To reserve your place, please contact Mary Anderson on mary.anderson@scottishathletics.org.uk.

Local club coaching sessions – event specific and event group stages (free of charge)

scottishathletics National Event Leads will provide support to coaches working with athletes at the event group and event-specific stages (13+) in local clubs free of charge. National coach mentors will work with a group of coaches and their athletes across any event group or specific event as required.
Local coaches will identify the areas where support is required, however, a focus should remain on the technical development, conditioning and planning of their athletes’ training programmes.
For more information on the club coaching programme please contact Darren Ritchie on darren.ritchie@scottishathletics.org.uk or call 0131 476 7330.

Event group coach qualification – accreditation day

scottishathletics is pleased to announce in partnership with UK Athletics the delivery of the final Integration Days for three of the Event Group Coach qulaifications (often referred to as Level 3).
Coaches who have completed the Event Group online course in Speed, Jumps and Endurance will be able to attend the final day at the Emirates Arena, over the next two months as detailed below.
Speed: Saturday 25 October 9-5pm Emirates, NGB1 Jumps: Sunday 26 October 9-5pm Emirates, SAL Office Endurance: Saturday 15 November 9-5pm Emirates NGB1
All coaches must have completed the online qualification prior to attending the Integration Day.
If you would like to attend any of these final days, please email jim.goldie@scottishathletics.org.uk.
Click here for details of all forthcoming coach education courses, and a selection of useful downloadable documents.