Don’t Just Train…TEACH!

                It was summer; 1995.  I had just started out working as a trainer at a local gym and was observing a speed and agility session conducted by another trainer.  He was training an athlete named Carl Banks, a former NY Giants player that had just signed with the Washington Redskins and wanted to get some extra training.  These sessions, and then the ten subsequent, I observed, and actually sometimes participated in, were inspiring.  I learned so much watching and participating in these sessions that it made me realize what I wanted to do with rest of my life.  I wanted to train athletes.

                Fifteen years ago, I founded, and have since been running, an amazing training company, which has trained over 3,000 athletes. Along with a successful training company, I have also developed a training program design that has ensured each and every client’s improvement in the most efficient way.  This training program we offer might seem similar to other programs performed by other trainers and companies that one might encounter, however, we emphasize one crucial component over anything else, which other companies don’t:  WE TEACH!

                Training an athlete is important, but my trainers at TrueAP and I feel that teaching an athlete proper form and technique of our drills and exercises are the key aspect to improving performance.  We focus on six main dynamics and strive to teach an aspect of these areas in each session.

TrueAP Sports Performance Dynamics:

  1. Flexibility: Warming up properly and cooling down are key essentials in improving flexibility
    1. Dynamic Flexibility. TrueAP developed an efficient program to properly warm-up a client prior to working out, practice or competition.  See Our Dynamic Flexibility Manual at www.TrueAP.com/store. Click on manuals.
    2. Static/Partner Flexibility: TrueAP developed a perfect way to cool down our clients after a TrueAP session, practice or game. See our Static-Passive Flexibility Manual at www.TrueAP.com/store. Click on manuals
  2. Linear Speed: We have several exercises and drills to improve our clients overall straight ahead speed.
    1. See our Linear Speed Manual at www.TrueAP.com/store. Click on manuals.
  3. Agility: Improving the ability to change direction quickly and effectively is an essential component of the TrueAP training program.
    1. See our Agility Manual at www.TrueAP.com/store.  Click on manuals.
  4. First Step and Quickness: These are really two different dynamics that we have combined, due to the fact a good number of drills for First Step can be considered good drills for quickness too. 
    1. See our First Step-Quickness Manual at www.TrueAP.com/store . Click on manuals.
  5. Power: This dynamic is essential in the development of any athlete.  It focuses mainly on jumping, but what TrueAP main focus is the landing.
    1. See our Power Manual at www.TrueAP.com/store . Click on manuals.
  6. Core-Balance Training: Improving a clients core and balance is another essential element to improving the first 5 dynamics. 
    1. See our Core Manuals at www.TrueAP.com/store . Click on manuals.

 

TrueAP Components of TEACHING a drill:

The training staff of TrueAP focuses on the following components when teaching any of our drills.

  1. Describe drill with main focus/dynamic
  2. Demonstrate Proper execution of the drill
  3. Run client through drill
  4. Have athletes focus on specific area of drill (examples)
    1. Stay Low
    2. Push don’t pull
    3. React
  5. Run drill with explanation of how to make it Sport-Specific for each athlete (examples)
    1. Add a lacrosse stick
    2. Jump up like you would in a header for soccer
    3. Add a side shuffle for basketball instead of a sprint.
  6. Reinforce each set with key components. (examples)
    1. “Stay low!”
    2. “React Quick!”
    3. “Push off the outside leg!”
    4. “Arms, Arms, Arms!”

It might seem like a lot of time, but when added in properly throughout the drill it flows perfectly.  The athlete responds to this type of instruction better than any other. 

Remember, anyone can train, but not everyone can properly teach.

If you want some other ideas on how TrueAP teaches and trains our clients, email me at rrose@trueap.com.

HAVE A QUESTION FOR ROB ROSE, PRESIDENT OF TRUEAP?

  1. Write it down
  2. Email it to rrose@trueap.com.

Don’t forget to look for my video blog on this topic.  I will go through some great exercise techniques and exercises for you to try.

Thanks,

Rob Rose