The Baseball Observer - Aug/ Sept 2018
14
Step 1: Describe the Ideal Technique
In order to train anyone to do a particular movement, you must have a fundamental knowledge of the skill. This begs the question, how does one know the “ideal” technique? If it’s a performance movement, such as pitching a fastball, the coach will watch successful pitchers, read coaching journals and textbooks, and find any source that discusses how successful individuals apply their skill.
More likely, the coach will be describing some sort of exercise or drill. Once again, the coach will use the same strategy of researching what the “ideal” technique is. That said, whether one is describing a sports-specific skill or an exercise, one must think critically and be skeptical of the “experts”.
Just because one person is successfully doing a bench press in a particular fashion doesn’t mean everyone should use the same technique. Please remember that the coach’s or personal trainer’s job is to individualize the technique to the individual. It should be customized to the trainee’s current abilities, genetics, and goals.
When the coach or personal trainer is researching sources to describe the ideal technique, they are attempting to find the common characteristics of the most efficient technique to appropriately modify these characteristics with all trainees.
Step 2: Observe the Client Performing the Technique
When observing a client perform a particular technique, we have to ask ourselves several questions:
• Who are we observing? What is their current skill level? What are their
current limitations?
• Under what conditions?
• Where to observe?
• What to look for?
The answers to these questions will determine your ability to successfully evaluate the client.
The answers to these questions will determine your ability to successfully evaluate the client.