Northeastern University’s Coaching Philosophy
Today at our intern education meeting Dan Boothby Jr. discussed how Northeastern University’s coaching techniques, strategies and philosophy are implemented and the specific process which all of the strength and conditioning coaches’ follow. We were asked what we thought of the coaching and testing experience so far at Northeastern University. I was excited to have had the opportunity to test and evaluate collegiate level athletes and see how the data was actually put to use. It’s was a brief but important opportunity for us to begin to understand exactly how the coaching process works, why it is used in this fashion and for us to express our opinions of the Northeastern way of coaching and our own personal coaching philosophy.
Here at northeastern university it is stressed that there is a universal platform and coaching cues from which all the athletes will learn from ( the hip hinge for example) . This approach makes perfect sense; the coaches are be able to organize their strength and conditioning programs more efficiently and according to how each individual athlete and or team learns and progresses through the strength and conditioning program thus making the communication between the strength and conditioning coaches, team coaches and other departments will be much more clear and fluid.
Periodically, all the athletes much be evaluated and reevaluated throughout the year with the PPE’s, FMS, VO2MAX and Omega Wave tests to name a few. This will ensure the athlete can safely begin or pick up from last season and all athletes begin with the hip hinge with a PVC pipe and a huge emphasis is put into muscle activation. All the athletes will be learning the same movement mechanics, skill set, techniques and so on and if they are unable to perform a specific move it is easier to take the aside and teach them an alternative exercise or break down the movement into parts for them to learn the movement.
What also stood out to me was the communication between the Strength and Conditioning Department Athletic and Training Department. I thought it was a great idea to not only have the two departments right next to each other but also with a glass window spanning across the wall, this creates even more cohesion between the two department allowing observation of one and other and of the athletes. Athletic Trainers and strength coaches are working together and collaborating on entire teams and individual athletes giving each other a better idea of how to how we will reach their goals.
Dan also mentioned at the meeting that there is a specific process of making changes to the strength and conditioning program (testing, prehab, resistance training , plyometrics )there wasn’t much elaboration on this yet but, I am interested to learn what Northeaster’s process is. This is another reinforcement of building the program from one solid foundation and not allowing something to be added to it just because they saw it at a clinic or on the Internet for example.
In my time here I have also seen the strength and conditioning coaches going through their own strength and conditioning programs. Including prehab (foam roller, muscle activation and dynamic warm up) which many athletes tend to skip or not put much effort into. I was really happy to see the staff “practicing what they preach” it gave me even more enthusiasm about being part of the Strength and Conditioning Program at Northeastern and I’m sure when athletes, team coaches and other see this they have a similar feeling.
An emphasis on being able to market yourself and your strength and conditioning program was discussed. Not only showing that you have the education and experience in the strength and conditioning field but, that you know how to apply it and create stronger, faster, more powerful athletes and that on top of all of this you will able the reduce to risk of injury in the athletic population. Fewer injuries will lead to a greater chance of success, less time and money spent on recovery.
What cannot be over looked is the desire to improve not only the athletes and colleagues around you but also to constantly challenge and improve yourself. Give the impression that you are an educated and experienced professional that cares about the teams and athletes that they work to improve every day.
My Coaching Philosophy
Coaching takes years to learn and a life time to master; in itself coaching is a multifaceted career, taking on the many responsibilities and challenges that come with each sport, individual athletes and interdepartmental communications. The responsibilities of the strength and conditioning coach will extend beyond the weight room such as budgeting, requesting new equipment. To be a successful coach one must be passionate about improving others around the (athletes and staff) as well as constantly challenging themselves and their athletes with a safe and efficient and efficient method while using education, experience and science to produce the desired results.
Being on time to practice or early is essential a coaches is, this is the first and easiest way to show the athletes, team coaches, the strength and conditioning staff that you really do care about putting time in and not only that but, you want to be there to coach and improve the athletes’ and teams performance.
Developing an appropriate relationship with the athletes while taking on a leadership is vital, they will feed off the enthusiastic energy of a coach who always eager to push them in the right direction. Display the confidence and knowledge in your assigned strength and conditioning programs, explaining the safety, body mechanics and techniques in the prescribed program making clear why they are doing what is prescribed and how it will make them better at their sport (more powerful, faster, stronger ,more endurance), less injury prone and healthier.
Working in a professional strength and conditioning setting there is a wealth of knowledge and experiences to be had, it is important for a coach to take advantage of this and show that you want to challenge yourself and improve yourself, staff members and of course the athletes. Every coach should take advantage of this and constantly learn from their colleagues within the strength and conditioning staff, and sports medicine departments, learning from the results they produce and how and why they obtained them.
Every coach needs to regularly stay update in the strength and conditions field due its’ rapidly changing and growing nature and competitiveness that comes with the territory of strength and conditioning. Earning the required certifications and going through the reeducation process is essential to maintaining and furthering your knowledge as strength and conditioning coach. Attending nationally recognized state clinics and conferences, reading and reviewing professional peer edited articles and research journals. Also keeping up to date with blogs and other social media, staying in the know of who’s who and who is doing what and why? Exploring how other scientifically proven research and training methods in other sports can be applied and positively impact your program.
Communications between the other strength and conditioning coaches is paramount to running a successful strength and conditioning program. Getting everyone on the same page and keeping there will help reinforce the processes and goals of the program, while maintaining a safe, efficient and professional training/work place. Also communicating between the strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, team physician and team coaches will ensure that everyone is working together for the same goal and will be notified of any schedule conflicts, injuries, ect.
Coaching is more than a skill that must be honed and reevaluated throughout your coaching career. It is a lifestyle choice that one makes to become a leader and set an example of how things should be carried out. It takes a certain type of character to be a coach; you must be able to humble and be able to accept advice and criticism while at the same time critique the athletes and staff around you. Constantly challenge and reeducate yourself striving for self improvement and the success of your athletes and strength and conditioning program. Having a goal orientated approach with your program planning, with team and athlete specific outcomes in mind; while backing your approach with research and scientific evidence. Approach coaching wholeheartedly and show the athletes and coaching staff that you want to be there and see improvement every day. A good coach need to care as much about producing the best possible athletes that they are able as much as they care about being the best coach that they can possibly be.