Putting the Cart Before the Horse

      All too often as coaches we want to adopt the latest and greatest training methodologies, techniques, or gadgets.  We are quick to run towards the fancy, shiny, and new; abandoning our own current training tactics and philosophies that have been working just fine.  As performance coaches, we must remain process based in our thinking and create performance plans that are scientifically and technically sound rooted in sport specific movement patterns designed to elicit the most effective training response.  We must understand that our athletes must be technically sound with the bare minimum methods before considering introducing "new fads."
      Athletes have been getting bigger, stronger, and faster long before chains, bands, boxes, and boards.  Before there were parachutes athletes ran hills or in sand.  Before prowlers there were plows.  Before there were fancy shinny weights athletes from the past mastered rocks, boulders stones, animals, and most importantly their own body weight .  Some of the gadgets out there today can be implemented with athletes to break up the monotony of training.  These gadgets should be used to enhance the athlete's training experience and should not replace what is or has been currently working.  Resources and facility space will dictate a lot of what coaches will be able to utilize with his her athletes.  Coaches should introduce new equipment and/or methods only when the athlete has completely plateaued and exhausted the current training regimen.