Coach Education Resources
The Pathway to the Top
Di Huxley shares her research on what it takes to help athletes progress from juniors to elite seniors. She emphasises how crucial it is to truly know your athlete—not just their physical abilities but also their psychological and developmental needs. It’s about building trust, aligning your coaching goals with their readiness, and being flexible enough to adapt. She shares examples of how this approach can either nurture an athlete’s talent or, unfortunately, push them away.
Nutrition and Physiology 101
The presentation focuses on optimising performance and recovery during the upcoming January Relay camp in preparation for future competitions like the World Relays.
Key topics include the importance of hydration, nutrition, and central nervous system (CNS) recovery. Practical strategies are outlined, such as tracking fluid loss through pre- and post-training weighing, prioritising recovery snacks and ice baths, and managing heat exposure during training in hot and humid conditions.
‘The Six Absolutes’ - Essential Tools for Your Coaching
One of the most effective tools I’ve come across in my coaching journey is the Six Absolutes. These principles, created by Dr. Greg Shepard, are the backbone of my approach to teaching technique on the track and in the gym. They’re simple enough to apply straight away, yet powerful enough to transform how athletes perform and avoid injuries.
The Athlete Archetype Framework
A Totally Unscientific Way of Thinking About Different Athletes’ Needs and Motivations.
This guest article explores three ‘athlete archetypes’ and how the writer adapts their coaching style depending on the type of athlete they are working with.
Sharon Hannan: The Coach Who Built Communities, Not Just Champions
"It wasn’t just about athletics—it was about bringing people together, building relationships, and giving kids and families a place to belong."
Discover the driving influences behind one of Australia’s most successful athletics coaches of all time, Sharon Hannan.
Engagement, Connection, and Inspiration in Coaching
Explore the art of coaching through Wayne Goldsmith’s perspective, focusing on building genuine connections, fostering engagement, and inspiring athletes beyond mere physical training. Goldsmith highlights a concerning global decline in youth sports participation, arguing that traditional, metric-driven coaching approaches often miss what truly motivates young athletes: meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose.
Community Brainstorm: December 2024
The Community Brainstorm is a monthly forum where we tackle key coaching questions together, drawing on the collective wisdom of our coaching community. Each month, we highlight a real-world challenge, inviting coaches to share insights, strategies, and resources that help others navigate common issues in track and field coaching. Join us in building a stronger, more connected athletics coaching community.
Di Sheppard’s Holistic Approach to Success On and Off the Track
Di Sheppard, the influential coach behind rising Australian track star Gout Gout, has built a career grounded in authenticity, resilience, and a no-nonsense coaching philosophy. Known for her direct approach, Di prioritises both athletic skill and personal growth, creating a training environment that demands accountability and independence from her athletes.
Learn the secret behind her success in this feature article on one of Australia’s most talked about track and field coaches.
The Whole Athlete and Training Program
This High Performance Town Hall explores the importance of a comprehensive training program for athletes, focusing on the “whole athlete” and the role of communication, and planning.
Master Coach, Susan Hobson, and AA Dietitian Lead, Bryce Anderson, highlight the crucial elements beyond just physical training, including nutrition, sleep, recovery, and mental health, and how these should be integrated into the program.
Using Effective Coaching Cues
For track and field coaches and athletes, coaching cues are a great tool for instructing and reinforcing the desired skill components.
However, there is strong evidence to suggest that not all cues are equally effective.
This article delves into the critical role of coaching cues – specifically, external and internal cues – in shaping athletes' performance, including their ability to develop and retain newly acquired skills.