In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, after 7 years since he first appeared on the show, Rob is joined by High Performance Consultant, Kelvin Giles. With a career spanning decades in both the UK and Australia, Kelvin brings a wealth of experience and insight into the challenges and successes of coaching. This episode takes an in-depth look at the shifting landscape of youth sports, focusing on the critical need for a holistic approach to training and well-being.
Kelvin, starting as a volunteer coach and rising to work with professional athletes, shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. He delves into the changing culture in sports, particularly how the emphasis on results and rankings is negatively impacting young athletes' health, leading to increased injury rates and a decline in technical robustness.
The conversation then shifts to the detrimental effects of prioritizing competitive winning over overall health and well-being. Kelvin highlights the decline in fundamental movement skills among young people and stresses the importance of addressing this issue in schools and sports programs.
Recognizing the need for a paradigm shift, Kelvin discusses the necessity for coaches to prioritize individualized training and mentorship. He emphasizes the importance of developing movement literacy and foundational skills in young athletes, ensuring their physical health and performance are equally catered for.
In a profound reflection on the state of high-performance sports, Kelvin points out the often-overlooked consequences these programs have on the majority's health and well-being. The discussion underscores the need for a balanced approach, one that values foundational movements and physical activity in the education and training of young athletes.
Moreover, Kelvin provides practical advice on creating flexible and adaptive training programs. He advocates for a focus on personal bests and providing meaningful feedback, rather than just concentrating on outcomes. This approach, he argues, is vital for the holistic development of young athletes.
Towards the end of the episode, Kelvin stresses the significance of sharing resources and knowledge for the betterment of youth athlete health and performance. His commitment to this cause is evident through his work and the impactful resources he has made available to the broader coaching community.
Main talking points:
“Activation” sessions and asymmetries: Are they really that important (?) with Tony Blazevich
#Bitesize - Operationalising GPS data with Patrick Ward
Maximising the impact of your data with data visualisation best practice with Eva Murray, Julian Haigh and Adam Sheehan
#Bitesize - Dealing with intense periods of growth and maturation in youth athletes with Perry Stewart, Jack Ade and Matt Allen
Understanding the impact of athlete footwear selection on performance and injury risk with Athol Thomson
#Bitesize - Making your CV and cover letter stand out from the crowd with Des Ryan, Chris Bishop and Dave Slemen
Sprint profiling: Why do it, how to do it well and dispelling some myths with Les Spellman, JB Morin and Ryan Grubbs
#Bitesize - Creating sprint drills that doing the cueing for us with Cam Josse
Improving change of direction ability, deceleration drills and coaching “transitional movements” with Hailu Theodros
Supplements, nutrition myths, CBD and nutrition principles in youth sport with Graeme Close, Hannah Sheridan and James Morehen
#Bitesize - The lack of value in testing change of direction with Molly Binetti
The “hybrid” S&C coach: Physical preparation, rehabilitation and data management with Jermaine McCubbine
#Bitesize - Using the weightroom to explore movement with Vernon Griffith
Managing hip and groin injuries and developing a robust injury prevention strategy with Nick Kane
#Bitesize - Developing change of direction and agility through frontal and transverse plane drills with Loren Landow
Integrating deceleration training and testing into a high performance programme with Damian Harper, Ted Rath and Mark Jamison
#Bitesize - Choosing the right GPS metrics for your sport with Stu Cormack
How the best football academies in the world develop their players with Jack Ade, Matt Allen and Perry Stewart
Sprint modelling, strategic periodisation and using decision trees to standardise programming with Ernie Rimer
Maximising the use of GPS to understand athlete performance and fatigue with Amber Rowell, Aaron Coutts and Mathieu Lacome
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