Coaching Kids!

A challenge indeed!! Its hard to keep kids engaged and focused on a task long enough to make headway. When it comes to running, the elementary years are great time to address the WAY they run so that by the time they hit the competitive years in high school and beyond, they are already practicing good technique naturally.

Most coaches fail to teach runners how to run, they simply make them run more. "Hey Billy, you're not fast because you don't run enough or you're just not a natural". That's B.S.!! Explain that to my mentor, Richard Diaz, who took an autistic kid from barely being able to walk without falling, to running, after 5 sessions, and winning a 5k race in his hometown. He also qualified for cross-country the next year by running a sub 6 minute mile. All because he was taught HOW to run. its no joke.

Now here is the trick with kids. 1. They have short attention spans 2. They have lots of energy... when they want to.

You must find a way to access the energy while keeping their focus. I have found the most effective technique is to start a session with one major point you want to get across that day. Deliver this message first thing, throughout the days training and have them recite it to you at the days end. Its always good to reward them in some way for remembering and see if they can remember it for the next training. As for the structuring of the training, the shortness of their attention provides a unique opportunity to throw a lot at them. This makes the workout a residual effect of keeping their imaginations busy. This is also key in making sure they don't hit the "kid wall", when they decide they just don't want to do it...just because! If you do your job as a trainer, then the drills and exercises you implement, will strengthen the proper muscles that will be recruited during sport performance, making them more efficient, faster, stronger, etc.

Finally the most difficult: changing imperfections in their running bio mechanics. While it may or may not be easy for the child to understand and identify your lesson and specific tips on efficient running form, it is an entirely different thing for them to actually be able to self associate and apply the techniques to themselves. Here is my answer. Run segments of the track with student, obviously watching and gauging their technique for later discussion, and periodically have the runner report to you live and in that moment ONE THING THEY ARE DOING CORRECTLY while running. For example "Billy, give me one thing.." "Coach, I am leaning forward as I run". Perfect. You have previously taught him that one technique is maintaining a slight forward lean while running. The point is to begin to create associative training, when a person engages directly in the current activity. The opposite being dissociative training which would be jogging with an ipod or music and thinking about the view. Both have their place but while learning something like bio mechanics and efficiency, we most associate before anything else can happen. By continuing this "ONE THING" question continuously over time, you will build a self awareness in the child's running. Probably the most important thing you can give to a young athlete.

Try these tips and techniques next time you coach the world's next generations of athletes. And if you have any questions or need help coaching kids you know, please don't hesitate to contact me at blue@malibumarathon.com