One of the courses that I teach each fall is a science elective called "Track and Field Coaching." Each year, for the final exam project, students are required to "play coach" and come up with a complete training plan for a team. The three-part assignment is actually quite involved.
--They must do a 2-3 page paper on the phases of training -- preseason, competition/midseason, sharpening/championship season.
--They must do a 1-page paper on strength and conditioning.
--And then, they must do a day-by-day training schedule in calendar form.
I am in the middle of grading these final projects, and they are outstanding. A few highlights so far that make me laugh, smile and take notes:
1. One student putting together a training schedule for a high school steeplechaser featured a practice in which steeple athletes hurdle over barriers while their teammates hoot and holler and make noise -- much like the cacophony steeple racers face when trying to negotiate the water jump. Ingenious! And FUNNY! I like it. Takes my theory of specificity to a new, absurd level. I'm sure we can get a few buffoons to oblige with this during spring track season at Vassar.
2. In one strength and conditioning schedule, a student recalled a technique used by his legendary high school coach in which he flipped a deck of cards to determine how many pushups, situps/crunches, etc., they would do. Wow! Talk about hoping to come up aces ...
3. One student's middle distance schedule was so detailed, precise and REALLY GOOD that we can and will implement it with our athletes this winter. Of course, many of the ideas came from the current Marist coach, but the interesting twists incorporated here really showed a depth of thought.
I am still working my way through the papers. I am sure we will find other nuggets in there worth sharing. Or better yet, worth USING. Teach your children well? Sometimes, the children can teach YOU well. Nicely done.
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