Coaching Advice?

[Vault&Flip]

I have noticed the trend that a lot of kids, high schoolers especially, are visual learners. So as it was stated before, doing the drills, workouts, etc... with the kids is extremely beneficial. Being able to show the kids exactly what to do is a huge advantage over trying to explain what to do in words. Some things can be lost in the translation. I had no problem tranferring verbal information into my vaulting and drills, but I have a slightly phonographic (not photographic ) memory, and so I learn better by listening. Even so, SEEING the correct way to do things is a Huge PLUS.

[MightyMouse]

If you have a large number of vaulters I would recomend dividing them up into groups A + B and then working with 1 group on technical stuff while the other does a workout, It can be very hard to work on 15+ vaulters techniques at once
This also helps so you dont have the experinced vaulters doing the beginer drills or the other way around
Good Luck + Have Fun

[Mecham]

Just be cool. Its always nice to have a coach who is a friend.

[LPVG]

Congratulations on joining the ranks of the addicted. Coaching is a blast. Above all, always think - be safe, have fun, go high. You ARE responsible for their safety. Never forget that tenet.

Get some of Jan Johnson's progression tapes and review them. It will help you a lot. For the newbies, you really have to start with the basics. Don't even let them on the runway until they have mastered three step slideboxes. Keep their runs short (3 steps/3 strides) and their grips low until they can land in the coaches box safely. You may have to go back to review the basics with your seasoned vaulters. Have them master technique rather than going for altitude. If you go with technique, altitude will naturally come. If you go for altitude, they will develop bad habits just to get over the bar. They will get to a maximum height and go no further. Then, you have to help them unlearn bad habits (regress) until they learn how to do it right. Always tap into other coaches experience; You will find you never stop learning. Good luck

[Robert schmitt]

Think of several ways to say the same thing. Everyone has a different understanding (meaning) for words and thier ability to relate and learn from you is based on your ability to communicate to them in a way they understand.

[Mecham]

Think of several ways to say the same thing. Everyone has a different understanding (meaning) for words and thier ability to relate and learn from you is based on your ability to communicate to them in a way they understand.

So True... So True...

[csuvaulter]

here is something that i liked about what my coach did last year, whatever workout he gave us, he did it with us. it made us respect him more because he was able to feel what we were feeling as we were doing the workout. kind of like napoleon not ever being in the back of his army but rather in the frontlines fighting.

I'm really glad you said that, since I'm going to have to practice with my vaulters, whether they like it or not! Mwah ha ha ha...(That was an evil laugh, if you didn't get that. I don't know how to spell laughter.) I'm still in training myself, so hopefully I can motivate them a little and even compete alongside them at places like Reno! Woo hoo!

By the way, all of you are awesome! Everyone's so helpful on this site!

[Caseman33]

one thing i foud in my high shoolo is that some vaulters, just do the vault...i think its important to do mare than one event

[pvalltheway]

The neovault videos are a huge help. On dvd, you can pause and slow down vaults and be able to break it down. This is immensly helpful for people who are visual learners and can't see the correct technique in a real time vault. You can also point out what some people do well and what they could work on, showing the vaulters that there is always room for improvement.