Comments on: How Many Reps Are Enough?

By: Daniel J Sanidad

Daniel J Sanidad — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:35 +0000

To add to Bruce Lee’s piece on the fighter who trained his one kick 10,000 times, I would also like to add that Bruce spent as much (if not more) time on the mental side of preparation then he did on the physical training of his skill. The fighter who practiced his one kick 10,000 times will have mentally prepared to train himself to use it when it came tim to use it. What I’m getting at is maybe some of these coaches should spend some time off the field and getting their athletes to train their mental state of ‘game ready’ preparedness. Bruce Lee talks about emotional content behind his art. That my friend, is a completely different approach then what is currently present, however, not traditionally followed because of the ‘old school’ approach to training. Then just keep building one dumb athlete after the other.

By: Derek Hansen

Derek Hansen — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:23:18 +0000

Dan – Great comment – (“A well prepared runner is a well trained runner and the first and last place it starts is in your mind.”). That is exactly right. When egos and insecurity get into the mix, then the madness begins. If you are a well prepared coach that is secure with your plan and preparation, you will have well prepared and trained athletes that have the confidence and mental toughness to be ready for any circumstances. I believe this goes for any sport – even contact sports. Well prepared (not over-worked) athletes will produce for you time and time again.

By: dan campbell

dan campbell — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:21:21 +0000

Just a short note on mental toughness, the old school of contact sports would drive you do a point of dropping then asking you for more, old and new school of mental toughness as a runner and running coach has never been that.
Mental toughness is and should prepare you mind for any case scenario and the only way that can happen is on the practice field. A well prepared runner is a well trained runner and the first and last place it starts is in your mind. 99.9% is mental as a runner so you better be mentally tough or it can be a long day on the x-c trail or track.
Mental toughness is often confused with coaches egos(been there done that), the intent is good, but the result can be debilitating to an athlete, learn to listen and listen to learn and your coaching will come alive and your kids will love you.

By: Derek Hansen

Derek Hansen — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:03:55 +0000

Great comments guys. I don’t know if what we are doing is the “right” way, but I do believe we are moving in the right direction. I think if you dedicate yourself to trying to find the best possible way, searching for the optimal balance between volume, intensity and efficiency, you will always have success. So many other coaches are simply piling on the volume and hoping for good results. I chalk it up to a combination of laziness (not working hard enough to find the correct way) and insecurity (I don’t have enough confidence in my ability, so I’ll make up for it with excessive volume) on the part of these coaches. “Our conference rivals do their morning workouts at 7am, so we’ll do ours at 6am and we’ll be better than them.” That type of thinking has to change.

By: Nate Young

Nate Young — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:37:58 +0000

I have started using slower progressions with better rest periods and save the “mental” train for certain days…my guys have adapted so much better and my problem guys(poorly conditioned) were much better shape….there is something to be said about training smart

By: Brendon Ziegler

Brendon Ziegler — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:05:48 +0000

I’ve seen to many coaches implement “mental toughness drills.” Time and Energy that would be much better spent on sport skill, strength, speed, power etc. I fail to see how overtraining athletes makes them more apt to perform in pressure situations. If you desire to affect an athlete’s mental toughness, talk to them, talk to a sports psych, coach them! It’s funny when all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail.