WHY SOME ATHLETES FAIL TO MAKE THE DISTANCE THEY EXPECT?

I discussed this issue some time ago, but I still want to answer the question to one of my colleagues. Many athletes are frustrated at not being able to make the distance or the limit that they want, although according to them, they train well enough to do it. I have personally visited various athletic clubs in Europe, and it is impressive, the amount of talent that you can find in those clubs. The problem is, when you look at the historical results of many of them, almost all of them have good results in the junior stage, but when they start the senior stage, the results begin to deteriorate. Many factors can cause this impoverishment, but I just want to mention one that in my opinion is the biggest cause of this problem.

It is the lack of work on the technical development of the base of young athletes. I know that one of the biggest problems also is that the majority of the coaches in the clubs work as volunteers.

Most of these coaches are trying to do what they can to get results and there are some who manage to achieve this.

 All coaches are looking for result and they want to have results, but when you work as volunteer almost always you will have to confront problems that will stop the development of the athlete. I respect the traditions of each country, but I wonder when you have to work two jobs in the day, and at night you have to work as a coach, not matter what, it`s not possible to focus 100% on  your athletes. Even if you're suited to train in that way, the results will not be good. I want to clarify of course, that I speak here about when you train an athlete to the elite level.

I have talked to some coaches about this subject, and some of them have told me that they have no problem with this, but if this is true, then why do the athletes still struggle to make results? With respect for all the coaches in the world, but to have results and success, you need to work with your athletes full time. As I said before, all coaches want the same thing, (results) and this desire often makes us forget some factors that later will impact negatively on  the development of the athlete’s  and the stability between the athlete and coach.

In my long experience as a professional coach, I've noticed that one of the most important things to have results, is to know the athlete, listen, respect and trust them. If you are not available to work full time with them, it will be difficult to recognize the qualities of the athletes. When you know the athletes, working together is even easier and this relationship strengthens the confidence between both. When the athlete does not trust his coach and vice versa, no matter   how hard the athlete trains, there will always be problems, with painful consequences for both.

I've always said that no athlete can reach the top level with only 2 or 3 times training a week, and also the athlete will have not result training on his own with a training program on internet.  Many coaches saw the results of (Julius Yego) javelin thrower of Kenya. It is crazy, but now some coaches set (Julius Yego) as an example that you can reach the top via the internet, just because he did it. I think there are no problems with learning the technique via the Internet, but one thing is the technical theory, and the other is the practical technique.

I want to make clear to everyone that, when it comes to reaching the elite level you have to be guided by a good professional coach with knowledge and experience in the discipline. Also, often athletes have to travel to other countries to seek technical assistance, as many countries, including European countries,do not have the technical knowledge of the discipline to take the athletes to the top level. Another important aspect is to train five days a week and in many cases two sessions, in addition to working hard at polishing the technique and the basic technical movement of the exercises etc.

The overall result is the balanced combination between the athlete and coach, with confidence, knowledge, experience and the competitive character of the athlete.