USATF Foundation vs USATF Coaching Education

[polevaultpower]

It seems odd to me that the USATF Foundation is publishing technical brochures: http://www.usatffoundation.org/news/doc ... re_000.pdf

and that USATF's media people are promoting it... doesn't that seem more like something that ought to fall under Coaching Education? Like here perhaps: http://www.usatf.org/groups/Coaches/library/


I thought the USATF Foundation was a completely separate organization. I think what they do is great, and I don't actually care if they publish coaching stuff, but I don't get press releases from USATF when their own Coaching Education department publishes an article, so why am I getting a press release from USATF about a separate organization publishing an educational brochure?

[TrackCEO]

Yeah, I was mystified by this news.

Sen. William Proxmire used to have the Golden Fleece Award for wasteful government spending.

Do we have to invent a Golden Stumble Award for idiotic squandering of USATF Foundation moneys?

K E N

[Marlow]

Re: USATF Foundation vs USATF Coaching Education

It seems odd to me that the USATF Foundation is publishing technical brochures: http://www.usatffoundation.org/news/doc ... re_000.pdf

Thanks for the link - I hadn't seen that before, not that there is anything new in it - most of it is Captain Obvious stuff. One part I didn't like:

Starting Position
Long jumpers should begin with a staggered stance, placing the feet close together with their weight distributed equally between each foot. The knees should be flexed so that the shins are at acute angles to the ground. Just prior to pushing off to begin the approach, the athlete’s hips should be slightly higher than his or her shoulders. Both hips should be flexed so that the knees and chest are as close as possible. Finally, the head should be relaxed and neutrally aligned with the spine.

That kind of micro-management of the mechanics is too much, IMO. As much as I don't like the OCD histrionics that some jumpers feel is necessary at the start of a jump, a slavish devotion to the letter of the 'law' presented above is simply not necessary.

[polevaultpower]

Yeah, I was mystified by this news.

Sen. William Proxmire used to have the Golden Fleece Award for wasteful government spending.

Do we have to invent a Golden Stumble Award for idiotic squandering of USATF Foundation moneys?

K E N

We don't know that any money went into it.

I don't care that the Foundation made it, I care that USATF is promoting it when they don't promote their own coaching education materials.

[TrackCEO]

We don't know that any money went into it.

So now USATF Foundation is exploiting coaches! Not compensating them fairly for the sweat of their brow!

If the Foundation really wants to help, why doesn't it put out a manual on how athletes can raise private/corporate sponsorship funds? Or a manual on how to afford training after you've been laid off by Home Depot?

K E N

[lonewolf]

Re: USATF Foundation vs USATF Coaching Education

[
Thanks for the link - I hadn't seen that before, not that there is anything new in it - most of it is Captain Obvious stuff. One part I didn't like:

Starting Position
Long jumpers should begin with a staggered stance, placing the feet close together with their weight distributed equally between each foot. The knees should be flexed so that the shins are at acute angles to the ground. Just prior to pushing off to begin the approach, the athlete’s hips should be slightly higher than his or her shoulders. Both hips should be flexed so that the knees and chest are as close as possible. Finally, the head should be relaxed and neutrally aligned with the spine.

That kind of micro-management of the mechanics is too much, IMO. As much as I don't like the OCD histrionics that some jumpers feel is necessary at the start of a jump, a slavish devotion to the letter of the 'law' presented above is simply not necessary.

I was not aware of this absurdity. One wonders who prescribed such blather as gospel. I enthusiastically echo Marlow's opinion that this is waaayyy too much nit-picking. True, there is a lot of ( imho) wasted posturing and self-psyching routines by some UP long jumpers but, hey, it is their 60 seconds to do just about anything they want, as long as they keep their clothes and bib number on.

[coachclean]

"Captains of the Previously Published"
In the past these guys have also created an online offering & "Track Coach in a Box" materials. Soliciting greater "names" to add prestige / creditibility to their various pursuits.

Google their names for more accurate examples, Patrick Beith comes most to mind.

Nothing harmful, just much ado about almost nothing. A lot of energy that could be more productive in its channeling? At worst, "climbers" looking for financial gain and or increased status.

As for the LJ document, a quick review reveals nothing overly harmful nor anything earth shattering. Of concern would be anyone's rigid following of the spec'd training plan.

Why its on the Foundation site? Who knows given the state of the sport of late? Not dissimilar to BJ's annual Vegas Show / "podium education" that in large part is not. Anyone ever see any of the Coaches Ed program folks at the Vegas clambake?

[polevaultpower]

Why its on the Foundation site? Who knows given the state of the sport of late? Not dissimilar to BJ's annual Vegas Show / "podium education" that in large part is not. Anyone ever see any of the Coaches Ed program folks at the Vegas clambake?

Information from Vegas appears on the coaching section of the USATF website: http://www.usatf.org/groups/Coaches/library/