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In the sport of track and field, and specifically in the throws, we need to acknowledge the fact that the chances that athletes we coach will go on to a professional career in track and field are infinitesimally small. In order for our sport to continue I think it is important for us to realize this fact and coach our athletes appropriately. Too many coaches over coach their athletes, to the point where the athlete needs the coach there in order to perform. I think as track and field coaches at the high school and college levels, we should strive to create a positive environment for the athletes where they look forward to continuing in the sport recreationally after their official eligibility is completed.

My philosophy is that I don’t want the athletes to be dependent on me in order to perform in a meet. The fact is that often times, I simply cannot see all of my athletes perform at meets, since multiple events are happening at the same time. I do my best to educate athletes and set up practice situations that will simulate potential situations that may arise in a meet. Athletes know that the goal in competitions is to maximize distance, not perfect technique. So I do not approach athletes when they are in competition mode unless I see a fundamental flaw that we’ve talked about in previous practices, or they come over and seek me out. I’ve been guilty in the past of telling my athletes everything I see wrong in their technique at a meet, which only further deteriorates performance. I’ve learned to focus on the positives and not get athletes thinking too much about technique at a competition. Practice is the place to think about technique, putting in the volume of repetitions to ingrain muscle memory, allowing for quick reactions.