10 Things I learned in 2011

Another year of strength and conditioning is officially in the books. Reflection is always a valuable teacher in advancing ones professional work. It’s a humbling teeter-totter of sorts: a process of realizing how much you still need to learn and reinforcing the fundamentals that stand the test of time. Without further adieu, here are 10 things I learned (both business and coaching) in 2011.

Business

1.) If you build it, they will come: I’ve always believed that coaches have the unique ability to make a profound impact on the life of young minds. Strength and Conditioning is no different, the life lessons we preach at Donskov Strength and Conditioning move well beyond free weights, chalk, and hang cleans. This environment has also created a loyal following of dedicated, hard working people. If you build it, they will come. ATMOSPHERE matters!

2.) The Art of Filtering: We all have 24 hours/day! Use them wisely! There is plenty of “Fools Gold” in the fitness industry these days. Everyone is a “writer”; everyone has a Twitter account, Facebook page and “cutting edge” material. Filter accordingly! Here are my filters: Do they earn a paycheck training athletes/clients? Are their recommendations backed with practical application? Are they trench trainers? If you talk the talk, please walk the walk. “Time is of essence. And the essence of success is time.”  (Coach John Wooden). I learned that filtering is important in protecting the most important resource we have as coaches, time!

3.) Ask: “There’s a quicker way to gain the information experience provides, namely, ask somebody who already has it.” (Coach John Wooden). Success leaves clues. I have learned to ask. If you don’t ask, you may never know the answer. My mentor(s) have been amazing in answering these questions. I have learned that success leaves clues: ask and these clues are no longer a mystery.

4.) Details make the difference: The beauty of strength and conditioning is that   it’s open to interpretation. The problem with strength and conditioning is that it’s open to interpretation. We live in a society of free will, free choice and free reign, overnight success, convenience and speed farming. Unfortunately many of these qualities spill over into strength and conditioning: just enough interpretation to be dangerous. “Don’t worry about the details that overnight certification should cover you”, or “all we need is $2000 and you can open up your own ____________ gym.”  The problem is, details make the Coach. John Wooden once said, “Develop a love for details. They usually accompany success.” What happens when details are lacking? Interpretation. Interpretation + knowledge (limited or otherwise) = PROBLEMS!

Weather its P90X, Insanity or Crossfit clearly the details are missing! From Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome, to the state of the Autonomic Nervous System, training is not the end goal, it’s the ability to train again and again and again and ADAPT! When details are absent, excuses are the result! “Our box gym doesn’t represent the “X” facility seen in that video.” My father always lectured me as a child: “Be careful who you associate with. Your friends influence your actions, and your actions represent you.” As Strength Coaches, details make the difference. “If you spend too much time learning the tricks of the trade, you may not learn the trade.” (Wooden). Details make the difference, but then again that’s up to your interpretation.

5.) Constantly Improve: “Never be satisfied. Work constantly to improve. Perfection is a goal that can never be reached, but it must be the objective. The uphill climb is slow, but the downhill road is fast.” (Coach John Wooden)

We STILL Call You Coach

Coaching

1.) The BIGGEST cue of 2011: When in doubt “take weight off the bar!” That was the biggest cue at Donskov Strength and Conditioning in 2011.

2.) Addition by Subtraction: “Think small. Work hard. Get good!” (Wooden) Our program goal in 2011 was to master the fundamentals. Basic addition is one of the biggest problems with youth training AND youth sports. By constantly adding drills on the ice/field, youth athletes fail to master the fundamentals of their respective sport. The same holds true in the weight room. Addition by subtraction is the key to development!This was a big thought process in 2011.

3.) The Prisoner’s Dilemma: This is courtesy of Coach Dan John: “If you only had 3 sessions, 15 minutes in duration with your athletes/clients each week, what would you do?” What exercises would you perform? What would you omit? What qualities would you train? Call it the 80/20 Rule, Pareto’s Principal or The Prisoners dilemma. This has had a profound impact on my coaching.

4.) Repetition vs. Repetitions: Thanks are in order to Coach Boyle for this gem. The mother of mastery is deliberate repetition! Exposure is key. If we as Coaches don’t expose our athletes to certain movements/lifts on a CONSISTENT basis, mastery can never be attained. Crap+crap+crap=more crap.

5.) One-Day Better: One day better everyday, a small yet achievable goal centered on work ethic, pride, attention to detail, sacrifice, perseverance, initiative, self-control, confidence and competitive greatness. One day better will continue to be a motto at Donskov Strength and Conditioning in 2012.

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 info@donskovsc.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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