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Coaches Corner
The Powerlifting Coach
By Rob Wagner
According to American Heritage Online Dictionary a coach is "A person who trains or directs athletes or athletic teams." Applying this definition to powerlifting would give us this: a person that trains or directs powerlifters or powerlifting teams. This may seem fairly simple but don't think that coaching powerlifters or powerlifting teams is quite that basic. This article will give a brief overview of the skills required to be a powerlifting coach.
In Larry Maile's and Alex Gallant's Coaching Primer, which can be found on the USAPL website under the coaching section, the authors lay out the various aspects of coaching that will be performed at a meet site. They cover fifteen primary areas of importance that a coach needs to be aware of at the meet. These range from organizational items like knowing the lifters weigh in times to handling protests and the appropriate coaching protocol during a meet. The components listed in their article area are what I would consider the administrative or managerial side of powerlifting coaching. This part of coaching includes the items mentioned above as well as developing a strategy for attempt selection during the meet and devising a warm up approach for each lift. This part of coaching is sometimes referred to as "running the numbers," but there is more to it. Being successful here involve two things; being organized and knowing the sport. Being organized simply requires one to have a plan of action going into the meet. Know the scheduled weigh in times, when the lifting starts, who is handling the lifters equipment and what attempts the lifter will take. This works in conjunction with knowing the sport. This requires the coach to be knowledgeable about the rules and events that occur in the sport. Examples of this are to know where the lifter is in the lifting order and why they received 3 reds on their second attempt. For the most part these administrative aspects occur primarily on meet day. Some examples of those administrative aspects that occur during the training cycle are the planning of the actual training and nutritional programs and the management of bodyweight of the lifter. These issues, in particular the training program, can have the biggest impact on the lifters performance.
The other component to the powerlifting coach is what I refer to as the technical component. This component is involved both on the contest day and during training and is also known as the "hands on" aspect of coaching. The powerlifting coach is responsible for the assessment of the lifters technique ensuring that the technique is both appropriate for the biomechanics of the lifter and follows the guidelines of the lifting federation. The focus on proper lifting technique is a daily undertaking that requires the coach to be attentive to all aspects of the technique including body part position, breathing and bar paths. Other areas that fall into the technical category include the proper use and adjustment of equipment. Having knowledge of the appropriate time to include equipment in training and when to avoid it are examples of this. Knowing how to put equipment on and take it off is also important especially as the competition nears. There is nothing worse than a lifter being stranded in his or her gear because no one can get it off. Having an understanding of injuries is also important to the powerlifting coach. The knowledge of being able to avoid the injured area of the body will allow an athlete to continue to train by working around the injury. The ability of the coach to respond to an injury situation during the meet is also important. Minor injuries like the tearing of a callus should be remedied so that the lifter can continue while more serious injuries should be brought to the attention of the meet medical staff. The final area that needs attention is the ability to understand how the lifter performs and handle things psychologically. Understanding the personality of the lifter and how they operate can play a very vital role in how they perform at a meet and how you plan their training. In the example of a lifter missing an attempt, one may need a simple technical reminder to get them back on track while another lifter may require more intense psyching up. Positive reinforcement of technically sound lifting can go a long way and can help to continue this habit.
One coach can have all of these qualities. It may seem like a lot to handle but it can be done. If you find that you are better in certain areas than others then try to enhance your knowledge from gaining insight from other coaches that are strong in area where you may be weak. By working and developing all of these areas you will find that your coaching will improve. I also suggest that you read and try to educate yourself in those areas you may be lacking. Another approach would be to attend clinics. The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers both state and national level clinics covering the strength-training realm. I find these valuable for the powerlifting community since the majority of presenting strength coaches teach and use the BP and Squat in their athletic programs. By educating yourself in both the administrative and technical areas of powerlifting coaching you will improve your skills and your lifters will be the ones that truly benefit.
Call for Nominations
If you are interested in coaching any of the Nationals teams the Coaching Committee is accepting nominations for all coaching positions. To go through the nomination process write a letter expressing your interest along with information on the team you want to coach. Include a brief resume providing
1. PL coaching experience (world, national or individual), and
2. Lifting experience (if applicable).
Optional items to add could be any other coaching experiences, education, any certifications in physical training (i.e. personal trainers cert), administrative job duties, and teaching situations.
Please send this info to rwagner@pobox.upenn.edu or postal at 235 S 33rd St, Weightman Hall, Philadelphia, Pa 19104-6322
Rob
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