UPSTREAM TACTICAL TRAINING:
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
These measures have the added benefit of allowing the tactical
facilitator to convey information to the tactical athletes when
the situation does not allow for face-to-face contact. Televisions,
posters, and handouts allow the tactical facilitator to pass on
information regarding exercise form, basic nutritional guidelines,
program design, typical mistakes, rules for the facility, and
anything that may be useful for a particular setting. In particular,
video presentations can be a great tool for demonstrating exercise
technique, which is very useful for disseminating information in
lieu of a tactical facilitator’s one-on-one guidance.
a tactical setting, from the TRX® Force Super app to the Navy’s
Operational Fitness and Fueling (NOFFS) app, which includes
entire workout programs and detailed videos suitable for those
with very limited equipment while on deployment. These tools
can be found by searching the application “store” associated with
your mobile device (e.g., Google Play, or iTunes). By using the
digital tools at their disposal, tactical facilitators can multiply their
influence and extend it beyond the weight room, thereby, taking
full advantage of an upstream tactical training approach.
Lastly, an upstream approach to tactical training can expand
beyond just the weight room. Most of today’s tactical athletes
will typically carry smartphones and/or tablets with them,
which opens up a multitude of digital resources for the tactical
facilitators to use at their disposal. Rather than printing hundreds
of traditional typed out programs, the tactical facilitator can send
out workout programs via email that include detailed videos
demonstrating how to do unfamiliar exercises. There are also
applications available for smartphones that athletes can use in
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph Crozier is in his third year as the Strength and Conditioning
Coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy. He came to the
Academy from California State University, Chico where he received
his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Master’s degree.
While there, he taught several classes including Principles of
Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing
and Prescription, and Weightlifting. He is a Certified Strength
and Conditioning Specialist® with Distinction (CSCS,*D®) through
the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and
a Certified Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports
Medicine (ACSM).
FIGURE 1. EXAMPLE POWERPOINT SLIDE
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