Coach Education Resources

Long-Term Development of Sprinters: Part 1
Sprints, Young Athletes Australian Athletics Sprints, Young Athletes Australian Athletics

Long-Term Development of Sprinters: Part 1

Developing young sprinters starts with sound technique, but that doesn’t mean over-coaching or chasing a mythical β€œperfect” model.

This first of 8 installments of our Coaching Development Sprinters series breaks down what matters most at each stage of development, from upright mechanics to acceleration posture, and provides practical cues and exercises.

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Glide vs. Rotational Shot Put - Which Technique is Superior?
Throws Australian Athletics Throws Australian Athletics

Glide vs. Rotational Shot Put - Which Technique is Superior?

Which is better for shot put…the glide or the rotation? This deep dive compares the two techniques across athlete types, performance outcomes, biomechanics and coaching priorities. From youth development to elite competition, we explore how physical qualities like strength, coordination and mobility shape the best technical fit.

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Inclusive Coaching in Athletics for People with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism
Inclusive Coaching Australian Athletics Inclusive Coaching Australian Athletics

Inclusive Coaching in Athletics for People with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism

If you’re an accredited coach, you already know that great coaching means supporting every athlete to reach their potential. Inclusive coaching is not an optional extra, it’s a core skill of coaches from Level 1 to 4. This webinar brings together practical strategies for working with athletes with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It draws on the expertise of Special Olympics Australia and lived insights from athlete leaders.

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Lessons from Grant Ward’s Coaching Journey
Coaching Values, Performance Coaching Australian Athletics Coaching Values, Performance Coaching Australian Athletics

Lessons from Grant Ward’s Coaching Journey

Tune in to hear Grant Ward share valuable "lessons learned from a coaching journey" that spans decades and includes guiding athletes like Kylie Wheeler and Kim Mickel to international success. Drawing on his diverse background, Grant emphasises that coaching ultimately "comes down to relationships" founded on trust, confidence, and respect with athletes.

Grant openly discusses learning from significant "stuff ups" or failures, stressing that "if you're not failing, you're not learning either". He advocates for practical wisdom, advising coaches to "Keep it simple, stupid" (KISS) and avoid overcomplicating their methods. Essential elements of his journey include being open-minded , building strong networks, seeking mentors, and being flexible, adaptable, and vulnerable.

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How This Coaches Eye Checklist Might Be the Kickstart Your Next Season Needs
Coaching Skills Australian Athletics Coaching Skills Australian Athletics

How This Coaches Eye Checklist Might Be the Kickstart Your Next Season Needs

Ever feel like you know where your athlete’s at but struggle to put it into words, or turn that instinct into a clear coaching plan? The Coaches Eye Tool is here to help. This simple but powerful observation tool helps track key areas like physical readiness, mindset, effort, and technical consistency all in one place.

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What Coaches Can Learn from the World’s Best Distance Runners
Endurance Australian Athletics Endurance Australian Athletics

What Coaches Can Learn from the World’s Best Distance Runners

What truly separates the best from the rest in distance running? It's not just high mileage or VOβ‚‚maxβ€”it’s how that training is structured, progressed, and personalised. Drawing from Haugen et al.'s landmark study and the training diaries of world champions, this article breaks down the key principles behind world-class performance: high volumes of low-intensity running, adaptive periodisation, and smart load management.

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The Key Principles You Must Understand About Planning for Youth Athletes
Planning Australian Athletics Planning Australian Athletics

The Key Principles You Must Understand About Planning for Youth Athletes

Whether you're coaching rising sprinters or first-time throwers, effective season planning for junior athletes is more than just filling a calendar.

In this post, we break down the essential principles every coach should understandβ€”covering periodisation, youth development, and how to monitor and manage training load without frying your athletes. If you've ever wondered whether you're doing it right (or just hoping for the best), this guide will help you identify where your knowledge gaps are.

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Best Practices for Resisted Sprint Training for Acceleration and Maximum Velocity
Sprints, Strength and Conditioning Australian Athletics Sprints, Strength and Conditioning Australian Athletics

Best Practices for Resisted Sprint Training for Acceleration and Maximum Velocity

What You Need to Know About Resisted Sprint Training.

Discover how resisted sprint training can transform your athletes’ acceleration, sprint mechanics, and explosive power. This evidence-based guide covers optimal resistance loads, distances, sets, reps, periodisation strategies, and the best tools for sprinters.

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What ALL Coaches Need to Understand About Hamstrings
Performance Coaching, Sprints, Jumps Australian Athletics Performance Coaching, Sprints, Jumps Australian Athletics

What ALL Coaches Need to Understand About Hamstrings

Why do hamstrings always seem to blow up just when things are going well? This quick, coach-friendly deep dive unpacks the real role of the hamstrings in sprinting, why they get overloaded, andβ€”most importantlyβ€”how to train them smarter for both injury prevention and peak performance.

πŸŽ₯ Includes a must-watch video breakdown, practical takeaways, and real-world coaching strategies to keep your athletes firing on all cylinders.

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Optimising Tendon Properties for Track and Field Performance
Strength and Conditioning Australian Athletics Strength and Conditioning Australian Athletics

Optimising Tendon Properties for Track and Field Performance

Tendons are the unsung heroes of athletic performanceβ€”acting as biological springs that store and release energy to enhance movement efficiency, power, and resilience. While muscle strength often takes centre stage in training, optimising tendon properties can be the key to unlocking new levels of performance and reducing injury risks across all track and field disciplines.

This article delves into the science of tendon adaptation, exploring how plyometric and resistance training influence tendon stiffness and compliance. Backed by cutting-edge research, it provides practical coaching insights, including targeted training interventions, recovery considerations, and the ideal balance between stiffness and elasticity for different event demands.

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Group B Supplements in Sport
Nutrition, Lecture Australian Athletics Nutrition, Lecture Australian Athletics

Group B Supplements in Sport

Learn from Professor Louise Burke, one of the world’s leading sports nutrition experts, for an insightful presentation on Group B supplements within the AIS Sports Supplement Framework. Originally presented at the 2023 Endurance Coaching Conference.

Group B supplements are those with emerging scientific support, warranting further research but showing potential benefits in certain sporting contexts. In this session, Prof. Burke will explore key subcategories, including:

  • Fruit-Derived Polyphenols – Food compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Menthol – A tastant that interacts with sensory receptors, influencing temperature perception and breathability.

  • Ketone Supplements – Investigated for their role in metabolism and endurance performance.

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Mental Fatigue and Strategies for Mental Recovery
Performance Psychology Australian Athletics Performance Psychology Australian Athletics

Mental Fatigue and Strategies for Mental Recovery

Mental fatigue is an often-overlooked performance killer, impacting reaction time, decision-making, and training consistencyβ€”even in physically fresh athletes.

This article explores how mental fatigue manifests in track and field, its physiological roots, and, most importantly, practical coaching strategies to assess, train, and support mental recovery and resilience. From chaotic drills that sharpen adaptability to targeted recovery techniques like mindfulness, strategic rest, and cognitive training, this guide provides actionable tools to help coaches keep their athletes mentally sharp and competition-ready.

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Coaching with Heart: How Rachel Limburg Balances Performance, Empathy, and Athlete Development
Coaching Values Australian Athletics Coaching Values Australian Athletics

Coaching with Heart: How Rachel Limburg Balances Performance, Empathy, and Athlete Development

Rachel Limburg is redefining what it means to be a coach and competitor. A talented heptathlete turned triple jump and pole vault specialist, she balances her own athletic career with mentoring the next generation. But beyond her technical expertise, it’s Rachel’s deep empathy, energy, and ability to truly understand her athletes that make her stand out. She doesn’t just coachβ€”she connects, supports, and inspires, ensuring her athletes thrive both on and off the track. In this feature, we dive into Rachel’s coaching philosophy, personal journey, and the lasting impact she’s making on the sport.

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High Jump: Overview of the Technical Model
Jumps Australian Athletics Jumps Australian Athletics

High Jump: Overview of the Technical Model

Need a quick-reference guide for teaching high jump?

This pocket guide breaks down the technical model step by stepβ€”from approach to landingβ€”so you can help your athletes maximise height over the bar.

πŸ”– Save this for your next session!

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The High Jump Approach - Finding Where to Start the Curve
Jumps Australian Athletics Jumps Australian Athletics

The High Jump Approach - Finding Where to Start the Curve

A well-executed approach run is the foundation of every successful high jump. In this article, we break down one of the most widely used tools in high jump coachingβ€”the Intercept Pointβ€”and show you how to calculate, mark, and refine it for your athlete.

If you want your high jumper to run a more consistent curve, generate better takeoff force, and clear higher bars, this is the resource for you.

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