Strength and Conditioning – the Coach
The role of the S&C coach is to help athletes to perform better and cope better with the stresses of their sport as well as also minimising the risk of injury. The overall aim is to improve the athlete both mentally and physically through the integration of a well-planned multidisciplinary training programme.
It is important for the coach to create a positive training environment which motivates and focuses the athlete to maximise their effort level. Being a good coach is about more than just delivering training sessions, it is about building a deeper relationship with you, the athlete, one that is built on understanding and trust.
Strength and Conditioning – the Process
Prior to the delivery of any coaching or training sessions, your coach will make sure the necessary screening and medical assessments are carried out to ensure you are medically safe to participate in the programme. Upon successful completion of the screening process a needs analysis will be carried out and the training programme designed focusing upon your individual needs and those of your chosen sport.
When receiving a training session with Strength in Sport, we will ensure that the training environment is safe and suitable for the type of session being administered, minimising potential hazards and therefore, risk of injury to either the coach or the athlete(s).
A big part of the process to promote the coach-athlete relationship involves the GROWL model. The GROWL Model is an acronym standing for Goals, Reality, Options, Will & Learning highlighting the five key steps in the implementation of the GROWL Model. By working through these five stages, the GROWL Model raises an athlete’s awareness and understanding of; their own aspirations, their current situation and beliefs, the possibilities and resources open to them; and the actions they want to take to achieve their personal and professional goals.
By setting goals which are inspiring and challenging as well as specific, measurable and achievable in a realistic time frame, the GROWL Model successfully promotes confidence and self-motivation, leading to increased productivity and personal satisfaction.
Strength and Conditioning – the Professional
The S&C coach possesses a solid understanding of the relevant health and safety procedures regarding working with athletes to minimise any potential hazards and therefore risk of injury. Coaches are responsible for the health and safety of the athletes in their charge and we are fully aware of our legal responsibility to athletes in of care. For you peace of mind, Strength in Sport hold appropriate insurance that covers both public liability and personal accidents.
We work within the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Sports Coaches, published by the British Institute of Sports Coaches (BISC) and abide by the ‘professional standards’ laid down by the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and implemented by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) for the sport and physical activity sector in the UK.
Strength and Conditioning – the Benefits
Athletes who want to improve performance utilise the principles of strength and conditioning within their training. Engaging in a structured strength and conditioning programme will provide many physical, physiological and psychological benefits;
- Enhancing postural and joint stability
- Strengthening bones and connective soft tissue
- Increasing lean body and muscle mass
- Enhancing neuromuscular movement efficiency
- Enabling the working muscles to generate forces for prolonged periods
- Providing resistance to sports-related soft tissue injuries
- Overall mental robustness and improved self-confidence
- Development of maximal and explosive strength
- Increased rate of force production
- Improved quickness, speed and reactive power ability
Our commitment to continued development means we are always on the cutting edge of exercise application and able to maximise strength and conditioning training effectiveness. Bespoke packages can be designed specifically to your sporting needs, enabling you to meet the physical and physiological demands of training and competition.
Services can also be modified to support small groups or teams – if you have specific requirements, contact us to discuss a unique package suitable to your requirements.