Donskov Strength and Conditioning Blog

There is currently a major buzz going on in the strength and conditioning field centering on the concept of thoracic spine mobility. Coaches are actively seeking ways to build mobility in this anatomic region in order to reduce lumbar rotation and enhance scapular stability. The idea revolves around the concept of Kinetic Linkage where each joint is affected by the integrity of the joint above or below. The T-Spine is extremely important. A proximal to distal linkage of the thoracic spine, scapula and GH joint is critical in long-term shoulder health (as is ankle and hip mobility). The thoracic spine needs to be mobile to allow adequate translation of the scapula over its surface. This enhances the GH joint and prevents anterior/superior humeral head migration, which leads to impingement. Take a look at the picture below.

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As a former competitive athlete, I enjoyed being pushed in the weight room and on the ice. Intense workouts, overnight bus rides, three games in three nights and a body the recovered faster than David Hasselhoff’s lifeguarding career.

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Many Strength and Conditioning Coaches have high aspirations of one day opening their own facilities. The thought of a nice building, fancy equipment, and a loyal client base are all elements of the entrepreneurial spirit. However, before the doors swing open, your celebrity clientele arrive, and your first months rent payment is due, there are several things you need to consider. Below are five steps that I acted on and understood before the doors at Donskov Strength and Conditioning were ever opened. I hope these intangible elements can help you in your quest to one day open the doors of your own facility.

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Building a strong “posterior dominant” shoulder has been shown to be of great value for the overhead athlete. Based on the demands of the sport (the fact that many great overhead athletes have acquired laxity) and the construct of the joint (the shoulder joint in and of itself sacrifices large amounts of stability for mobility) this anatomical landmark plays an important role in the athletes’ protocol. However many times direct cuff strengthening is overlooked in the practical programming for the contact athlete. Is this valid or do we need to look deeper into preparing our athletes for the demands of their sport? Lets take a look at the evidence regarding shoulder injuries in contact sports.

• Shoulder fractures (in youth populations) and dislocations occur most often in contact sports such as football and wrestling. (Pasque et al)

• Shoulder Injuries remain the most common site of injury in hockey.

• Injuries to the upper extremities account for more than 25% of all sports-related injuries (In young adults), but receive disproportionately less attention compared to lower extremity injuries. (Patel et al)

• Youth athletes are more susceptible to fracture and overuse injuries from lower forces (Reinold)

• In the youth population, glenohumeral instability is more likely than rotator cuff injuries.

• (Simonet et al) have reported a recurrence rate of 82% after primary acute glenohumeral dislocation in athletes younger than 30.

• In athletes involved in collision sports, the recurrence rates have been reported between 86-94%. (Wilk et al)

• (Hovelius et al) noted patients in their 20’s exhibited a recurrence rate of 60% dislocation, patients in their 30’s-40’s less than 20%. In adolescence, the recurrence rate is as high as 92% and 100% with an open physes.

The above facts pertain to traumatic contact injuries. However, these pathologies lead to instability and a higher chance of future injury. We also need to consider posture and the fact that young contact athletes many times are hyper-mobile and can have congenital laxity. A perfect example is the athlete that is “double jointed”. These athletes can face higher potentials of injury in contact sports and many times can have weak, underworked dynamic humeral head stabilizers.

Static Posture (Rounded Shoulders)

Congenital Laxity

Congenital Laxity

Positive Sulcus Sign in Left shoulder

Is Current Protocol Enough?

Let me assure you that I am not an “isolation” based Strength and Conditioning Coach. My athletes get after it with heavy weight and technical proficiency. The above athletes (U18 AAA Hockey Players) have done their fair share of Cleans, front squats, RFESS, single leg squats, trap bar deadlifts, vertical pulls, Turkish Get Ups, and every sort of horizontal pulling variation that you can think of (all performed with NO pain). I believe that a well-designed strength and conditioning program can reduce shoulder injuries for the most part by:

• "Opening up" the subacromial space with horizontal pulling

• Strengthen scapular depressors (lower traps) with pulling

• Strengthen scapular upward rotators (serratus anterior) with pressing

• GH joint approximation/compression with Get Ups

• Gain mobility in the ankles, hips, T-Spine

However, I believe that “direct cuff” strengthening can benefit contact athletes. Athletes are known to have poor dynamic stability. In fact when looking at the physical therapy protocols for traumatic onset, congenital and acquired laxity patients, direct cuff strengthening is a part of EVERY program (both IR/ET rotation, dynamic stabilization, proprioceptive awareness and promoting cuff balance). They are isolating the cuff to enhance dynamic stability. To ignore this evidence, in my opinion, is a mistake. We are Strength Coaches, not PT’s, but our job is too keep or athletes safe and healthy. I am not suggesting that 30 athletes should spend 20 minutes doing external rotation work on the cable machine. I am however suggesting that what we’re currently doing isn’t working. Body contact is a part of many sports: hockey, rugby, football, lacrosse, and although we cannot control what happens on the field/ice, we CAN control how we prepare our athletes! Isolation work on the cuff can only aid in our quest of enhancing dynamic stability. We can build this into our program several ways:

• Add “cuff work” prior to weight training

• Add “cuff work” into activation

• Add “cuff work” between lifts (ex. Press paired with external rotation)

Prevention vs. Reaction

As Coaches, we are judged on performance gains, but more importantly on the health of our athletes (games missed due to injury). Contact athletes transmit, produce and absorb force on a daily basis many times with the least stable joint in the human body. This leads to instability and pathology. Shoulder injuries remain the most common site of injury in the sport of hockey! Is our current protocol working? Can we better our product? I would much rather throw some “direct cuff” work into my program than have my athletes performing “direct cuff work” at the physical therapy clinic after an acute dislocation. We can never fully prevent contact injuries in sports, but as Coaches, we can do our best to reduce them!

References:

1. Pasque, C.B., & Hewett, T.E (2000). A prospective study of high school wrestling injuries. Am J Sports Med, 28, 509-515.
2. Patel, M, Upper extremity radionuclide bone imaging: shoulder, arm, elbow, and forearm, Semin Nuci Med., 1998, Jan; 28 (1): 3-13.
3. Wilk, K, Reinold, M, Andrews, J, The Athlete’s Shoulder, Churchill Livingstone, 2009.
4. Simonet, WT, Colfielf, RH, Prognosis in anterior dislocation, Am J Sports Med, 11084:12:19-23.
5. Wilk, Reinold, Macrina, Non-Operative Rehabilitation for Traumatic Glenohumeral Instability, NAJPT, Feb. 2006, Vol. 1.
6. Hovelius, L., Eriksson, K, Fredin, H, et al, Recurrence after initial dislocation of the shoulder, Results from a prospective study of treatment. J Bone Joint Surg. 1983; 65:343-349.

Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com).  He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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As Coaches, few of us are fortunate enough to work with college/professional athletes on a weekly basis. Genetically gifted individuals who are strong, skilled and relatively easy to coach. I refer to this population as ” auto pilot” athletes. Give them direction, demonstration and they can make a bad program look good! In contrast, a young, hyper-mobile teenager whose only experience in a gym was a dodge ball class in high school is quite another story. I am fortunate enough to work with both populations. I train youth athletes (ages 13-18), and many of my Athletic Development Programs in the summer cater to the college and professional athlete (hockey players). Regardless of training experience, our clients represent our product! Coaching is an art, and many times the best coaches can get the most accomplished with the least amount of verbal interaction. Below are five ways to enhance “technical proficiency” in the weight room without over coaching.

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As Strength Coaches our job is three fold: prevent injuries in the weight room, reduce sport related injuries, and enhance performance. Unfortunately most coaches focus on the last two and ignore the MOST important! I don’t care if your athlete can back squat 400 lbs if he has a stress fracture and herniated disk and can’t participate in his sport. Bottom line: injuries in the weight room are the fault of the STRENGTH COACH….PERIOD! Coach Dan John, who has been coaching before I was born, most recently reinforced this concept in a lecture at MBSC in Boston. He emphasized, “DO NO HARM!” We need to reassess this concept, as exercise selection and protocol are the responsibility of the coach. It’s a simple concept, yet we make it inherently difficult. Below are four ways to assess/implement the “Do No Harm” philosophy.

Strength and Conditioning vs. Internet Gurus: Want to lean how to be a business leader? Read John Maxwell. Want to learn how to be a better basketball Coach? Read Coach John Wooden. Want to be a better Strength Coach? Look for leaders that have years of experience and evidence in their protocol. Listen, learn from their mistakes and take constructive advice/feedback. We have to many “arm chair” coaches these days. Please don’t sit behind a computer and preach exercise selection and programming unless you’re in the trenches. You will do much more HARM than good.

Personal Training vs. Strength and Conditioning: Strength and Conditioning and personal training are very different! Coaching eighteen athletes vs. one client can effect both exercise selection and program design. I don’t like the traditional back squat (especially in large groups), and I don’t care to speak Greek and argue hip, knee and ankle angles: bottom line, heavy loads plus flexion and shear force produces back problems. I have NEVER walked in a Strength and Conditioning facility, including College and Pro, and witnessed eighteen athletes back squatting with appropriate weight and flawless form. I prefer to use more self-limiting exercises in large groups where it’s much harder to lift with poor form; front squat and trap bar dead lift would be a great example. If your dead set on teaching the back squat or the traditional dead lift, a small group or personal training setting is much more appropriate as loads are much higher and technique is much easier to be compromised. Hyper-coaching is necessary! I can’t count on my fingers and toes how many high school athletes have come in my facility with stress fractures and low back injuries that were the potential result of poor programming, heavy loads, and just plain scary technique. Large groups plus heavy loads is a recipe for HARM!

Assess the Population: It goes without saying that a novice lifter and advanced lifter need different programming. One size does not fit all. Novice lifters need repetition to master basic motor skills and to build neuromuscular control, advanced lifters need undulating stress. Fat loss clients are another completely different population. The one size fits mentality leads to HARM!

Coach/Athlete Ratio: My philosophy is to have a coach/instructor ratio of 1:9, one coach for every nine athletes. Exercise selection and program design are greatly influenced by how many coaches are in attendance. Two sets of eyes are always better than one. Coach Dan John doesn’t have any plyo boxes in his facility! It’s not that he doesn’t like plyo boxes, but he has over 400 athletes that frequent his gym. I’m sure he has seen a lot of shin related abrasions in his day. He has opted not to have them. I think this is a great take home point for fellow coaches. If you’re overpopulated or under coached keep it simple. One Coach teaching heavy cleans to eighteen athletes might not be a good programming decision; this can lead to more HARM than good.

The older I get, the more appreciation I have for simplicity! Too many times we argue the minutia speaking Greek and defending exercise selection as if there were no better alternatives. We should all be seeking better ways to enhance results while keeping our athletes safe and healthy and away from HARM.

Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com). He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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As business owners and Strength Coaches, we each have our own philosophy, system(s) and operations procedures. Each business model is a system of unique parts that make up the whole. Without systems, chaos is inevitable. We are all in the business because we have a passion in helping others reach their true potential, but we also have to turn a profit to keep the doors open. I have always had the belief that a business plan/philosophy and strength and conditioning philosophy should be separate entities.   Don’t let your business plan run your training plan! What do I mean by this? I have provided several examples below.



Youth Training: I couldn’t count on my fingers and toes how many conversations I’ve had with parents saying, “My seven year old is an amazing athlete. We want to get him/her ready for next years hockey tryouts, do you offer any programs for this age group?” I could make a healthy living doing Athletic Development Programs for seven year olds, but it conflicts with my training philosophy. I believe in early generalization, late specialization. Let Tommy and Jane play multiple sports and come back to speak with me in five years. Putting adult values on childhood activities is dangerous. Unfortunately many times parents dream on behalf of their children.


Student/Instructor Ratio: I train large groups of athletes. Regardless of coaching education/experience, two sets of eyes are ALWAYS better than one. I have set a training philosophy for a student/instructor ratio of 9:1. This is an area that I need to improve. I hired an intern last November and it has been an amazing experience to say the least. My goal is to build a reputable internship program and hire a full time coach in the immediate future. Our goal as business owners is to expand the business and reach multiple populations, but we shouldn’t do so at the expense/quality of our product and the safety of our athletes. My grandfather always said: “Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.”


Competing Programs: I have been approached several times in the past by multi-sport athletes wanting to participate both in a DSC Athletic Development Program while simultaneously participating in a strength and conditioning program at their respective high school. I don’t like this for several reasons:



Training volume
Not enough adequate recovery
Control: I can’t control the coaching OR lack of coaching, and the protocol performed in a facility away from me (technical proficiency, Olympic Lifts, heavy back squatting ect).   I don’t want this mixed with my program…. PERIOD!
Results: I want tangible results for my clients/athletes. I want them to look at their 12-week program and see how strong, powerful they have gotten. I can’t guarantee results in a program being performed (in conjunction with mine) that I have NO control over.

Parents: At DSC, parents are not permitted to view workouts. It is my training philosophy. Most parents I deal with are awesome, but on occasion I am confronted with a situation where parents want to watch their kids train! I will make this analogy: “Mr. Johnson what do you do for a living? Oh you are a dentist? Would you mind if I sat over your shoulder and watched you pull teeth all day? Would your clients mind?”  The problem with parents watching workouts is that coaches are competing for attention. A Coach needs FULL attention. I have never had to do this, but if a parent still had a problem with this, I would suggest another facility for their son/daughter to train in.



I have always had the belief that a business philosophy should not dictate a training philosophy. If you don’t have a passion for what you do, you will be exposed sometime in the future. Passionate people are contagious! We all want to build a profitable, reputable business, but we can’t sacrifice quality in order to attain it! Systems rule in business, just make sure your business system and training system remain separate entities.


Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning, Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com). He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


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The glenohumeral joint is a complex joint affected by the entire Kinetic Chain. It thrives on large amounts of mobility with a sacrifice in stability. At any given time, only 25%-30% of the humeral head is in contact with the gelnoid fossa (1). Sub acromial Impingement (bursal sided) also known as Compressive Cuff disease or external impingement can affect more than just the elderly and working class, it can affect the athletic population as well. Athletes play hard, train hard and push their bodies to the limit on a daily basis. Contact athletes can sustain shoulder injuries through both macro traumatic and micro traumatic events. Shoulder injuries remain the most common site of injury in hockey (1). As strength coaches, programming can also play an important role in preventing cuff issues. A sound knowledge of functional anatomy and appropriate exercise selection can aid in preventing possible pathology.

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I don’t speak Italian fluently but with the help of technology I can understand each and every line of The Godfather. Foreign language is unfortunately foreign to me. Different countries speak different languages’ that their respective “tribes” understand. Seth Godin in his book “Tribes” explains that a tribe is a group of people (large or small), who are connected to one anther by an idea, common interest, principal or leader. Strength and Conditioning Coaches, we are a tribe! Our themes, connections and leaders unite us in the strength game. However, one of our biggest problems is this: We don’t speak the same language! No Habla Strength and Conditioning! Travel to France, people speak French, travel to Spain, people speak Spanish, travel to any weight room in the country and coaches simply don’t speak the same language. I can’t tell you how many programs I’ve looked at where I had NO idea what the coach was asking for from his/her athletes. If this is confusing to us, how do you think the athletes feel?

The purpose of this article is clarity, to unite a “tribe” so that we can communicate effectively and efficiently among other members of our society. We need to agree on a language based on SIMPLICITY and ease of use. Below are two areas of “lost in translation” among our field, plyometrics and Olympic lifts. In order for us to communicate properly we need to be on the same page.

Plyometrics:

Olympic Lifts:

I have borrowed this language from Christian Thibaudeau. It’s short, sweet, simple and effective. When speaking about Olympic Lifts, it should be a three-word term.

• First Word: Position of the Catch/reception of the barbell (muscle, power, squat, split)

1. Muscle: Catch with no bending of the knees
2. Power: Catch with slight bend of the knees (less than 90 degrees)
3. Squat: Catch with deep bend in the knees (past 90 degrees)
4. Split: Catch with one leg forward/one leg back

• Second Word: Type of Lift

1. Snatch: Bar finishes overhead
2. Clean: Bar finishes on shoulders/clavicles
3. Jerk: Lifting the bar from shoulders to overhead

• Third Word: Start Position

1. Floor: lift starts on floor
2. Hang: lift starts above knees
3. Blocks: Bar starts on blocks

A Power Clean can be done several ways:

These are just two of the areas where conversation can get confusing among coaches. We add difficulty in a language that needs to be based around SIMPLICITY. We have to get on the same page. This is not an attempt to disrespect the coaches that have come before me, but an attempt to unite. This struggle will only continue if we name lifts after cues, people and countries. We have to keep it simple. If not, our language will be foreign to us all.

References:

(1) Thibaudeau, C, Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods, F. Lepine Publishing, 2006.

Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning, Inc. (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com). He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Repetition vs. Repetitions: Training Youth Athletes

Thursday, 20 January 2011 12:09 | Written by Anthony Donskov |  |  |  | 

As Coaches, we are always trying to find better ways of doing things. Whether it be screening, soft tissue work, exercise design, exercise selection, stress fluctuation, or any other variable that can better the system set in place to train our respective populations. Many times our quest for answers leads us right back to where we started. Coach John Wooden said “There is no progress without change, but not all change is progress”. This quest can also lead us to answers that change the way we coach, that change the way we think. I will never apologize for this “change” because it represents growth. Below are five things I wish I would have known ten years ago.

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I don’t like comparing sports or strength and conditioning to war.It’s an insult to our fine service men and women that sacrifice their lives in order for us to do what we do.This is far more important than goals, assists, touchdowns and turnovers.I do however, find they’re ranking system fascinating and think we as aspiring coaches can learn from these brave soldiers.Rank is based on EXPERIENCE! You don’t start out as a general; you put in countless hours (early mornings, late nights) as a foot soldier learning from high-ranking commanders and executing pre set commands.You spend trench time making mistakes. You spend trench time using two ears and one mouth.You spend trench time learning and applying.You spend trench gaining valuable experience.You spend trench time in hostile situations.You spend trench time gaining the respect of your fellow soldiers and leaders. This is how you earn your stripes.It’s a continuous process, a pursuit of excellence that takes many, many years to accomplish.What does this possibly have to do with strength and conditioning you may ask?It has everything to do with it!

Trench Time for Strength Coaches/Personal Trainers

As coaches/trainers we perform our job duties in a system less society of hierarchy with no governing body. Many times trainers take “weekend” courses and call themselves “fitness professionals.”It’s the equivalent of joining the army and being promoted to a General after a weekends worth of work.Would you want to go to battle with a “weekend” General?Below are five “intangibles” of trench time! These attributes allow all coaches (both young an old) to “earn their stripes.”

Find a General: Find a Coach/Trainer with a proven track record of success.Find a Coach/Trainer that has years of experience doing what you want to do!

Use two ears, ONE mouth: I’ve attended countless seminars, watched DVD’s and attended mentorship programs.One thing I learned: SHUT UP AND LISTEN!Learning from the “Generals” equates to listening.You can’t learn with your mouth constantly flapping.

Make Mistakes/Be Persistent: Learn from the mistakes of those that have gone before you.Learn from your own mistakes.This happens in the trenches.Take a look at Abraham Lincoln’s long list of “failures” before he was elected President.I can guarantee you these were all learning experiences in his life that he would not change.

• 1831 - Lost his job
• 1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
• 1833 - Failed in business
• 1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature
• 1835 - Sweetheart died
• 1836 - Had nervous breakdown
• 1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
• 1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
• 1846 - Elected to Congress
• 1848 - Lost re-nomination
• 1849 - Rejected for land officer position
• 1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
• 1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
• 1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
• 1860 - Elected President

Hit the Trenches: As Coaches, our trench resides in the weight room.If you don’t train athletes/clients, please don’t tell me how to train them!

Apply: Continuously apply your craft always looking for ways to better your product.Application in applied knowledge. This is power.

We all want to succeed at our careers, but overnight success is for lottery winners.Earning your stripes takes time, commitment, passion, determination, failure, experience and application.We can all learn from our brave service men and women.Strength and Conditioning is not a war, it’s not a battle, but to earn your stripes takes time, so roll up your sleeves and go to work!

Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning for Donskov Hockey Development (www.donskovhockey.com).He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Another year is officially in the books. As coaches it is important to reflect on our experiences, learn from our mistakes, and plan for the future. I have had the opportunity to learn from many great coaches, PT’s, and Doctors. I have invested in DVD’s, books, seminars, and on-line programming. Most importantly however, I have learned from application, from real world experience. Below are 10 things (both business and coaching) that I learned in 2010!

There are few teachers who cross the boundaries and are relevant in all walks of life: whether coaching basketball, hockey, football, strength and conditioning, or a business leader looking for better ways to allow others to attain their potential for greatness. All professionals can grow and become more complete individuals/teachers when acting on Coach John Wooden’s wisdom. I had the opportunity to read Coach Wooden’s book: “Wooden On Leadership” and my highlighter almost ran out before I finished the first chapter. Below are his important bits of advice that transcend the word “Coach”. When applied correctly, this information can bring us one step further in our quest for personal greatness.

Coaching Wisdom

• The Best leaders are lifelong learners: “When you start having all the right answers, you will stop asking all the right questions” (Wooden). Constantly seek ways to improve! Learning also means learning from other’s mistakes. Abraham Lincoln used to say, “I never met a person from whom I didn’t learn something, although most of the time it was something not to do.”

• Do not Equate Professional Expertise with your Ability to Teach It: Teaching is different than playing. Just because you played at a high level DOES NOT mean you can teach at a high level. Coaching is an art that needs to be constantly nourished.

• Don’t Cause Indigestion: “The greatest holiday feast is eaten one bite at a time. Gulp it down all at once and you get indigestion. I discovered the same was true in teaching. To be effective, a leader must dispense information in bite size, digestible amounts” (Wooden). As strength coaches, don’t speak “Greek” to your athletes, and provide proper regression in your exercise selection. This prevents “indigestion” and information overload.

• Remember that Good Demonstration Tops a Great Description: The fundamentals of coaching/teaching: explanation, demonstration, imitation, feedback and repetition. Action trumps words!

• Expanding Time: “My record keeping was comprehensive but really no different from that of a banker who accounts for every penny and can show you the records of transactions going back years and years” (Wooden). As Coaches we need to keep meticulous notes, past workouts and results. This information allows us to grow and become more efficient at what we do further reaching our potential for greatness. This also allows us to use time more efficiently. Time is of essence as coaches. Use it wisely for you will never get it back again.

• “There is no progress without change, but not all change is progress.” What a powerful statement! Think of how much has changed in the world of strength and conditioning. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still don’t know. Although there has been change in our industry (i.e. core training), not all change has been progress. The “functional” era created a frenzy of athletes waving 5lb dumbbells around will balancing on BOSU balls. Not all change is progress!

• Systems: What is your system as a Coach/business owner? Coach Wooden’s systems for greatness with his teams were: Condition, Fundamentals, and Unity. These ingredients were a “blueprint” used to produce champions. What are your ingredients?

Professional Wisdom

• Choice: The choice to become a GREAT coach rests in the decisions we make. “There is a choice that you have to make, in everything you do, So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.” –Anon

• Attain Personal Greatness: “I believe that personal greatness is measured against ones own potential, not against someone else on the team or elsewhere” (Wooden). We all have the capacity to become great coaches and teachers. It’s a never-ending road that we do not walk alone. The important thing however is to become the best that YOU can be. Don’t worry about comparing yourself with others. Your athletes and clients will thank you for it.

Coach Wooden’s wisdom spills over into everything that we do as coaches and leaders. He was always seeking improvement in trying to reach for the impossible, perfection. As Coaches’, we need to take his wisdom and put it into practice measuring our potential for greatness one-step at a time. This is the stamp of a “successful” coach, a word that transcends.

Reference

1. Wooden J, Jamison S, Wooden on Leadership, McGraw-Hill Books, 2005.

Anthony Donskov, MS, CSCS, PES, is a former collegiate and professional hockey player, founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc., (www.donskovsc.com) and Head Instructor/Director of Off-Ice Strength and Conditioning for The “OV” Hockey School (www.ovhockey.com). He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it