Quick Tip on Coaching Feedback and Body Language

Always analyze and athletes every move in training. How fast are they moving on the platform? How fast are they moving in between reps and how long are they resting in between sets? These are a few cues I use to analyze the progress an athlete is making regarding training. I even go as far as analyzing how slowly they may be loaded a bar and how they respond to cues and weights instructed to put on the bar.  Below is a good example:

Athlete A looks sluggish, during snatches Athlete A needs 2-3 sets to hit consistent positions at the same weight.  At this point, take note that the athlete is not adapting as quickly as in sessions past.  Athlete A finishes the snatch workout with a PR double BUT it must be remembered that the athlete did not feel good while warming up.  Move to clean and jerks...Athlete A is warming up, bending over in fatigue in between sets and daydreaming significantly in between sets.  When Athlete A is instructed to hit a specific weight as a triple, they respond with quite a bit of an attitude saying, “Well, how should I warm up to get there!??!?!”  This is a seasoned veteran that understands warm ups and it is not their first time under the bar.  At this point, the coach MUST take note of a few things.  

1. It took a few sets to get grooving in the snatch.
2. Even though a PR double was hit, body language tells a lot.
3. Remember Athlete A was daydreaming and acting tired in between sets.
4. Always remember attitude.  The “snippy” attitude about a warm up is a red flag. The individual is a seasoned veteran and knows how to warm up, HOWEVER the attitude shows they are fatigued and don’t feel great and this must be taken into account when choosing weights for the session.

The coach decides to test some big jumps for Athlete A and see how they react to the jumps.  A five kilo jump during warm ups occurs without a hiccup but Athlete A puts their head on their hands during the rest period.  Coach decides to continue with another 5k jump to tie their PR triple.  At this point it is clear that although there was a lack of verbal communication, they coach was being shown red flags through body language and attitude.  By understanding the movements during the snatch and understanding the negativity and “attitude” during clean and jerks, Coach should acknowledge and recognize that another 5k jump to tie a PR triple was not a sound decision!

Getting an Inconsistent Lifter BACK on Track!