The thing about Ellie is sheās massively stubborn but thatās also a positive. She focuses on something and just goes for it.
She gets obsessed with things and it doesnāt matter how much time it takes, she canāt do anything until sheās completed that thing - that she also wonāt stop talking about!
She really wanted to do a backflip but has been properly terrified because sheās afraid of ābehindā but NOT ANYMORE! Sheās done it now and she can even do it on a bouncy floor now sheās mastered it. She teaches me something every day!
Now Iām 50 (48 in Covid years) itās time to start a new hobby/challenge to add another level of fitness to basic gym work and playing basketball etc with the children. Also important to use new muscles and work the brain to keep the neurological pathways active. So - took my birthday skates out for the first time today as an absolute beginner. Watched a load of you tube videos so get me going. Main learning - no shortcuts, its hard, do what people who know what theyāre doing tell you, donāt get frustrated & smile. After 20 minutes I was already getting somewhere, and my heart rate was up more than I expected. Want to use this as a case study for older persons fitness (mental and physical). Iāll keep you updated! Thanks Kendall Green for the inspiration !
I share this weekās snippet only to implore younger coaches to find any opportunity to bring out the orange ball. You have no idea the joy it brings men of a certain age. Oh, and coaching point, always follow up your shots in case the keeper spills it, or something.
Iāve never shouted āboot itā or āget rid of itā or āeasy ballā or āchannelsā or āplay it safeā or āplay the way youāre facingā or ārow zā or any other 80s nonsense. I have said ābeat every player twice then score with an audacious chip, unless you see a player in a better positionā - cos itās about creativity and autonomy and purpose and collaboration, just like the rest of life should be. Donāt let coaches (and parents) ruin football !
Such a good atmosphere at training tonight. Demonstrates the power of a week off with more intensity, mentally and physically. Did a dynamic and very physical warm up including some Sumo (unfortunately not captured on camera as I was wrestling the manager), then timed 40 yard sprints before possession drills. Exeter City in the cup in 2 weeks! Be afraid!
My youngest helped out last night as we did some super slo-mo sprint testing. Looking to break down and feedback on our players sprint technique. Our faster players are not always the fittest - but they have good technique. Itās not always to see why in the heat of a match over 5 or 10 metres so Iām hoping this will make a difference.
Everything I do for a pre-match warm is functional, high-tempo, neural stimulating and designed to replicate the demands to come. We donāt do ambling laps of the pitch, we donāt static stretch, we donāt queue up to pass the ball to each other. We do sprints, change of direction, reactions, dynamic work, and lots of neural activation. Thank you to the continuous support Iām getting from amazing coaches in the US who are so open to giving their time and expertise , from NHL to NASCAR.
I donāt know if this breaches broadcast rights (apologies to Sky and Quest if so) but very pleased to hear my refrain of āGet Inā has been handed down to the next generation. Ā£4 for under-12s by the way - thatās what I paid in the late 80s.
So, D playing her first game in goal for Buckland Athletic Girls U-11. A 16-0 win on Sunday following a 15-0 win on Saturday. This without the 3 most prolific goal-scorers in the Sunday squad. Yes, they are a very good team, but what is the answer to this lack of challenge for them ? Is it a south west problem? Do other areas have the same issue about strength in depth within an age group ? I donāt want āplay boys teamsā to be the default answer when seeking a proper challenge for this group of committed and talented players. Overseas trip ?
Very impressed with organisation and friendliness at Devon County Athletics meeting at Braunton today. Very kind and supportive people. Hereās D winning the long jump with a PB.
May not be many more sunny evenings in the park for training so set up a circuit tonight. Pad work, skip rope, slam, plyometrics, core, functional movement and intervals. Seem to go down badly, which is what I was hoping for.
