US Sports Football: The Future of Coaching: Using Data and Analytics in Sports and The Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs Game Highlights

 

by Maddie Martin

In the fast-paced world of modern sports, data and analytics have become indispensable tools for coaches aiming to enhance team performance and make informed decisions. The integration of data-driven insights allows coaches to optimize training, develop effective strategies, and monitor player health, ultimately leading to improved outcomes on the field. According to The SportsGrail, analytics in sports involves collecting and analyzing data related to player performances, game strategies, and overall team efficiency, enabling informed decisions based on statistical evidence rather than intuition.

The importance of data in sports is evident across various disciplines, where performance metrics, game strategies, and injury prevention techniques are all enhanced through analytics. As highlighted by PlaybookTeams, leveraging analytics allows coaches to transform raw data into actionable insights, improving training, refining strategies, and ultimately boosting performance .

This article will delve into the role of data and analytics in coaching, exploring how these tools can be used to improve team performance and the different software that aids in making informed coaching decisions.

The Evolution of Data and Analytics in Sports

The evolution of data and analytics in sports has been transformative, revolutionizing how teams and coaches approach performance enhancement and strategic decision-making. This section explores the historical perspective, the shift from traditional methods to advanced analytics, and case studies of early adopters.

Historical Perspective on How Data Was Used in Sports

Historically, data in sports was limited to basic statistics such as scores, win-loss records, and simple player metrics.

Coaches relied heavily on intuition and experience for decision-making. The landscape began to change with the introduction of more sophisticated statistical methods, particularly in baseball, where sabermetrics became a significant movement in the 1980s.

The Shift from Traditional Methods to Advanced Analytics

The shift from traditional methods to advanced analytics can be traced to several key developments.

One of the most notable milestones was the implementation of data-driven strategies by Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, popularized by the book and movie “Moneyball.” Beane’s approach demonstrated the competitive edge that could be gained through data analysis, prompting other sports teams to follow suit.

According to Analytics Insight, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in sports has further accelerated this shift. AI technologies help in analyzing vast amounts of data quickly, providing insights that can significantly influence game strategies and player performance.

How Data and Analytics Improve Team Performance

The integration of data and analytics into sports coaching has revolutionized how teams enhance performance, develop strategies, and manage player health. This section explores the key ways in which data analytics contributes to these improvements.

A. Performance Metrics

KPIs in Various Sports: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential metrics that provide critical insights into an athlete’s performance. Common KPIs include speed, agility, endurance, and workload. These metrics help coaches understand an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing for tailored training programs. For example, in football, Catapult’s analytics tools capture and interpret player movements, actions on the field, and physical exertions to inform coaching strategies and player development (Catapult). These metrics help teams optimize training, reduce injury risks, and improve player performance.

How Coaches Can Use These Metrics: Coaches use performance metrics to create individualized training regimens. Wearable technology, such as GPS trackers and heart rate monitors, provide data that helps adjust training intensity to avoid overtraining and injuries. By continuously monitoring these metrics, coaches can ensure players develop optimally and are physically prepared for competition (KINEXON Sports).

B. Game Strategy and Tactics

Utilizing Data to Develop Game Strategies Data analytics provides coaches with detailed insights into their own team’s performance as well as their opponents’. By analyzing historical match data, coaches can identify patterns and trends, allowing them to develop effective game strategies that exploit their opponents’ weaknesses and enhance their own strengths. According to Deloitte Insights, major sports leagues like the NFL and NHL use advanced tracking technologies to analyze player movements and game strategies, enabling data-driven decision-making

C. Injury Prevention and Management

Using Analytics to Monitor Player Health and Prevent Injuries Data analytics plays a crucial role in injury prevention by monitoring players’ physiological responses to training. Wearable devices track metrics such as heart rate, workload, and recovery times, helping to identify potential overtraining and reduce the risk of injuries. For instance, the NFL uses radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags to track player movements and physical exertions, which aids in managing player health and making informed decisions about training and rest (Deloitte Insights).

Tools and Techniques for Injury Management Through Data Analysis Advanced analytics tools can predict injury risks by analyzing historical data on players’ physical conditions and performance. This approach helps in tailoring training programs to individual needs, ensuring players stay mentally healthy, phyiscally healthy and perform at their best. According to The National Library of Medicine, monitoring training load helps reduce injuries and ensures players are in optimal physical condition for competition.

By leveraging these advanced tools and techniques, coaches can make informed decisions that enhance team performance and player health, ultimately leading to better results on the field.

Tools and Software for Coaching Decisions

Modern sports coaching has been significantly enhanced by various tools and software that help in data collection, analysis, and decision-making. These technologies provide coaches with detailed insights into player performance, game strategies, and injury prevention.

A. Data Collection Tools

Overview of Tools like Wearables, GPS Trackers, and Video Analysis Software Wearable technology, such as GPS trackers and heart rate monitors, are integral in collecting real-time data on player movements, physiological responses, and overall performance. These devices provide metrics such as speed, distance covered, acceleration, and workload intensity, which are crucial for optimizing training and preventing injuries. For example, KINEXON Sports offers a range of wearables that track various performance metrics, helping coaches tailor training programs to individual needs.

Video analysis software captures and analyzes game footage, allowing coaches to break down player movements, assess tactics, and provide visual feedback to athletes. Tools like Catapult Thunder offer advanced video analysis capabilities that enhance communication and performance analysis by providing dynamic video tools and comprehensive feedback systems (Catapult).

B. Data Analysis Software

Popular Software Solutions: Data analysis software transforms raw data into actionable insights through advanced metrics, predictive analytics, and data visualization. Hudl is widely used for video analysis, allowing coaches to tag and annotate game footage, track individual and team metrics, and develop game plans with detailed playbooks and drills. This software is user-friendly and accessible via mobile apps, making it a versatile tool for all levels of sports coaching.

Catapult provides comprehensive performance analytics through its wearable technology and software solutions. It tracks physical performance metrics, helps in injury prevention, and optimizes training programs by analyzing data such as speed, distance, and player workload.

Tableau is another powerful tool that offers robust data visualization capabilities, enabling coaches to create intuitive dashboards and reports that highlight key performance trends and insights. This helps in making informed decisions and communicating complex data effectively.

Implementing Data Analytics in Coaching

The successful implementation of data analytics in sports coaching requires a systematic approach that fosters a data-centric culture, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving. Here’s how to effectively integrate analytics into your coaching practices:

A. Building a Data-Driven Culture

Data-Centric Mindset Within a Team: Creating a data-driven culture begins with educating and engaging all stakeholders, including coaches, players, and support staff, about the benefits of data analytics. Coaches should lead by example, using data to inform their decisions and demonstrating its value in enhancing performance and strategy. Regular meetings to discuss data insights and their implications for training and game tactics can help embed this approach within the team’s routine.

Buy-In from Players and Staff: For data analytics to be effective, it is crucial to secure buy-in from players and staff. This can be achieved by involving them in the data collection process, explaining how data will be used to improve their performance and health, and addressing any concerns they might have about privacy and data usage. Encouraging open communication and showing tangible improvements resulting from data-driven decisions can help in gaining their trust and cooperation.

B. Training and Education

Resources and Courses for Data Analytics: Coaches can benefit from various resources and courses designed to enhance their understanding of data analytics. Attending conferences and workshops can provide valuable insights and networking opportunities with experts in the field.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The field of sports analytics is continually evolving, with new tools and techniques emerging regularly. Coaches should stay updated with the latest developments by subscribing to industry journals, participating in webinars, and engaging with professional communities. Continuous learning ensures that coaches can adapt their strategies to leverage the latest advancements in data analytics.

Final Thoughts

The integration of data and analytics in sports coaching has proven to be a game-changer, offering significant benefits across various aspects of team management and player development. By leveraging data, coaches can make informed decisions, optimize training programs, enhance game strategies, and improve overall team performance.

Data-driven approaches allow for precise performance monitoring, effective injury prevention, and the development of targeted training regimens tailored to individual athletes’ needs. As technology continues to advance, the role of analytics in sports is only set to grow, making it an indispensable tool for modern coaches.

Just like anything else, integrating data into your program takes time, and you may fail at first. But the important thing is to learn from your failure and keep moving forward.

By embracing data analytics, coaches can not only enhance their team’s performance but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. The future of sports coaching is bright, with data and analytics playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategies and successes of teams worldwide.

https://www.isnation.com/articles/the-future-of-coaching-using-data-and-analytics-in-sports

The Rock Almighty: You Are Resurrected and Seated Together with Christ and The Battle Of The Century!

For some, life is no longer worth living. The reasons are varied. All of us are only here for a short period of time, and yet when we hear reports of someone taking their own life, we wonder what could have caused such a paramount decision. Contained here is an article about such.

MICHELLE'S STORY

[It’s not about being brave in sharing; it’s] about being real and hoping to end the widely stigmatized thoughts regarding an illness.

Mental illness, the vast array of judged, [shunned,] and misunderstood group of stigmatized illnesses. Suicide, the part of mental illness [that’s even more judged, misunderstood,] and stigmatized. The people and families who deal with mental illness need to feel safe to get help and to discuss [what’s considered taboo subjects in order for acceptance, so they don’t] fear asking for help. [It’s possible in time to have healthy, open dialogue about these subjects, and it’s] time the world learns how. It is a [life,] or death situation. There are many organizations dedicated to educating and creating [awareness;] please research them.

I suffer from mental illness and all of its ugly, painful effects. My hope is to inspire others to come out and share their stories without fear and to inspire others to educate themselves and try to understand. This [isn’t] my way of trying to get sympathy or play [the] victim. This is the most real I can be in summing up a lifetime of [pain] about a subject that needs to be discussed openly and publicly in order to save lives and end stigma.

I suffer from major depression that [doesn’t stem from situational circumstances,] and I have suicidal tendencies. Not to say some [life-changing situations didn’t affect my depression, but for the most part, it’s] biological. As it stands now in society, mental illness becomes a label, a directive of how some people may judge [you] before even meeting you or knowing anything else about you. Some people resist treatment [because they’re scared that an employer, school, doctor, or other important life guides] may deny or judge them.

Many people [don’t] understand how to deal with a depressed friend or relative or acquaintance. [It’s easier to pretend it doesn’t] exist, title them as the crazy one, or say things that actually minimize the disease, that [suggests] it will just magically go away. Ex: just work out, eat healthier, do yoga, snap out of it. The cycle [begins;] nobody feels comfortable hearing about depression or [suicide,] and then the depressed individual hides their pain, fearing judgment, [embarrassment,] or being labeled.

[I’ve] dealt with depression since childhood; it took years for me to understand what it was and why I was different. I fought [it for years;] I never gave up. Many never knew I struggled. From the exterior [I’ve been perceived as outgoing, approachable, and fun; it wasn’t] a facade, as my personality [isn’t] my depression. It has even gone so far as overhearing a psychiatric nurse say, “[She’s so pretty;] how can she be depressed?” The way I look is not my depression.

My junior year of college was my first suicide attempt. [I’d] classify it as a cry for help, not a true attempt. I had no [plan. My roommates were home, and I was intoxicated. I didn’t just want attention;] I needed it. I went into the bathroom with a [razor, and when my roommates broke into the room,] I cried in relief.

My mom drove out, picked me [up,] and put me right into intense therapy. I had also been suffering from bulimia since age [fifteen which] had been escalating while away at school. I turned to working through my eating disorder, not realizing at the time that it was all related. I was always doing anything to escape the pain of my emotions. From that point forward, I had this deep nagging voice inside that told me suicide would ultimately be my demise if I ever got over the fear of the [act. Thankfully] I was always too scared as I still had hope.

Fast forward, after years of medication trials, different types of [therapy,] and reaching a point where the side effects of medications outweighed the problems they were prescribed [for, my life became a] slew of side effects and more medications to treat the side effects. Those of us with mental illness like to refer to these as “med cocktails.” I started to [get tired of all the doctors, therapy appointments, and side effects] while still struggling with low moods regularly. The day Amy Winehouse [died, I was watching the news coverage,] and all I could think of was how lucky she was that she was finally out of her pain. Impulsively, I took an overdose of sleeping pills and benzodiazepines. I sent a few “I love you [texts,]” and someone who knew of my struggles and had family experience with suicide took that random text as a hint and called [the] police to do a wellness check on me. I was taken to the ER. It turned out I [didn’t take enough pills to do the job;] the ER actually let me leave.

A month [later, I sunk even lower and] I gave up. I was done fighting [the] inner demons that tried to hold me down and hold me back. I was so tired of fighting. I felt I was a burden and saw no other way out of the pain. It was not [selfishness. In my mind,] it was truly the answer to alleviate my pain and the pain I burdened others with. I wrote a suicide [note, surrounded myself with photos of people I love,] and took a much more intense overdose. I lay next to my cat, crying that he would never see me awake again.

I attempted suicide. There was no turning back from that act. I sent one friend an “I love you” text once the drugs had reached a point of [intoxication,] and I passed out. He had learned from my [previous] attempt what to do. He called the police. My doorman knew me well and [witnessed] my first attempt and let the police in. Thirteen days later, [two on a medical floor and eleven] on a locked psychiatric ward, four years later, countless therapy [sessions, and I still haven’t] fully recovered. My depression actually got worse and was combined with shame, [fear, and embarrassment that created a deep,] oozing wound that never [seemed to fully heal. It’s] hard to look in the mirror daily knowing that the person staring back at me tried to kill me. Imagine that.

Look beyond for a moment from the pain it causes loved ones, but the pain it causes to oneself when [you’ve] already suffered most of your life. Knowing that you woke up when you wanted to die and now need to rebuild your own belief system [regarding] yourself. Rebuild the ability for others to trust you not to repeat your actions; try to protect the hearts of loved ones. Rebuild the strength to fight the unending battle yet again. While feeling like Bambi and feeling like you have to hide what you did.

I googled “help for suicide [survivors,” and] all that came up was help for the loved ones that survived someone who had [completed suicide] and how to help them cope. I [couldn’t believe it. I was a survivor; I survived self-murder; I was the one left like a newborn] with open raw wounds and wanted the help of others like me. I found nothing. Thankfully in just the four years since my attempts, this is changing. People are starting to come [forward; organizations are realizing the importance and it’s changing. I’m slowly reaching out to them, and they’re giving me the] courage and strength I never knew I had. That is such a huge step forward.

I believe that suicidal thoughts and suicidal actions are different. I believe that once you cross that line into [action, it actually becomes an option in the future, that it’s] never truly safe to have the thoughts again without having a safe support system to openly express the thoughts in a nonjudgmental way. The actions become an [answer,] and the thoughts can evolve into action. Thoughts are thoughts. [Actions,] however can change the world. Change life.

This is why [it’s] so important to open up dialogue publicly about suicide and mental illness. The statistics show that many completed suicides are not initial attempts. Those that need help [aren’t] just those with the thoughts, but those that have already tried to end their lives. Being one of these people, I know firsthand that [there’s more shame and more fear after an attempt than] when I was having just thoughts.

Surviving my attempt backfired on me and made me feel like I [didn’t want to overutilize my long-developed support.] I had put so many loved ones through [hell, and I didn’t want to seem overly needy;] I isolated myself more than ever. I put the people who supported me through so much that I feared letting them know I was still struggling to heal. I wanted everyone to think I was ok, back to normal. [However, I’m] still not ok.

[I’m blessed with a strong mother who asks me daily if I’m] ok. My boss checks on me [daily. I] have a small handful of friends that know my silence is a queue to call and check on me. Sadly, many of my friends and family do nothing unless I bring it up, which [isn’t easy when I don’t] know how they feel about it.

Once the shock and initial responses occur, life for others tends to go back to normal. Many have no idea how to behave or what to believe. Some think it was just a moment of bad [judgment. They don’t understand that it’s] an ongoing illness and just because you survived, [doesn’t] mean the illness disappears. This is the ideal time for family and friends to take time to educate [themselves] instead of going back to acting like it never happened. Yes, some suicides are [impulsive, and due to circumstances, and] this is also where education is so helpful.

When discussing my intentions of openly discussing my suicidal tendencies with a few people in my support system, I was met with positive [reactions,] until the questions were asked. You [don’t] mean posting it on social media or putting the information somewhere [where] total strangers could see this right? This [isn’t going to be shared with people you know,] right?

Wow! Had the past several years of my discussion of how important it is to take away the stigma gone unheard? When I said publicly, I meant publicly, not partially [public,] except for those that may judge me. It saddened me to hear that the very people I rely on, even if for that moment in [the] conversation, judged my decision to share such personal details. If [I’m] to become an advocate and help others like [me,] it has to be open and real. The most important thing anyone can do for someone expressing suicidal thoughts is to listen and not judge or minimize what [they’re] saying.

Open dialogue has to start [somewhere,] and my somewhere starts now. [I’m still a good person. I’m still kind and intelligent and reasonable. I’m] also gifted with insight, the ability to forgive, and admit [wrongdoing]. I appreciate my ability to relate to others on many levels and be open-minded. I also have [a mental illness. It doesn’t define me, but it’s] part of who I am.

[I’m] relieving my conscious of the secret I held due to fear of being judged or misunderstood. [I have a lifetime illness; I struggle in some way, almost daily, and it’s] real. A suicide note is real. Quiet struggles are real. A beautiful smile may or may not be real. Talking openly is not just real; [it’s] necessary.

Please rethink your ideas regarding mental [illness and ask those you love if they’re ok. A] simple smile can change another person’s day and learn the symptoms, the signs. It [isn’t contagious. It is,] however deadly.

I can sum my experience up in a poem I wrote:

My silence is an echo of my repetitive pain,

Reminding me of demons that live in my brain.

They haunt my days and stir my fears,

They have been there living for all my years.

Some days are bright, some weeks, a month,

[Eventually, though,] they come to the front.

They scream so loud I cry in shame,

But only I can hear this pain.

My silence protects the demons from showing,

People often judge me but [they’re] really unknowing.

To think that depression has a sound or first [name] is as ignorant as thinking two think the same.

If you hear nothing but [silence,] beware,

Ask before assuming the person [doesn’t] care.

Silence is my prison that mimics [I’m] okay,

The demons are [there,] and I fight them every day.154

The least I can say about this article is that it’s intense. Some might say that there’s no easy fix for mental illness and recurring thoughts about committing suicide. However, I know of someone who’s business it is to work deep within our lives. He gets beneath into our core nature, beliefs, desires, etc., and provides us with the help we need to be able to address any disturbing aspects of our life. And not only so, when it’s our time to depart from this earth, he has also prepared a place for us where all hurts, illnesses, regrets, etc., are gone. Let’s find out more about this eternal realm and how it relates to us right now. Please turn to the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

God the Father had raised up the Ephesians’ believers from spiritual death to spiritual life in heavenly places at a point of time in the past when they responded to the gospel. And not only so, but they were also made to sit together with Him. This means that while they reside on the earth, their spiritual position is in heavenly places.

Like them, you’re positionally resurrected. [Your] vital union with [Christ] is the ground of [your] present spiritual and future bodily resurrection and ascension.155 Conversely, you have assigned to both your body and spirit a place seated together with Christ in heaven, which in due time you’ll take possession of. And as you learn how to set your heart on things above, you’ll get a glimpse of what’s waiting for you when you get to heaven.

If you’re someone who’s having difficulty living your life whether caused by biological, circumstances, abuse, addictions, etc., there’s someone who wants to help you. You see, there’s a God, a personal God who can change you from the inside out and help you learn how to be an overcomer no matter what difficulty you’re facing. Take a look at some of the verses of Scripture contained below that clearly reveal God’s heart and how He can help those who come to Him.

Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

The Lord healeth (makes healthful) the broken in heart (miserable heart), and bindeth up (cures; bestows peace; comforts) their wounds (mental sorrows; griefs and troubles).

Psalms 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

God satisfieth (makes provision for the needs of) the longing (thirsty) soul. He also filleth the hungry soul with goodness (that which imparts strength and happiness).156

Matthew 11:28-29

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Believe in me, you that labour (work) and are heavy laden (tired; weary), and I will give you rest (refreshment and rejuvenation).

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Take my yoke (an obligation to do a particular thing, i.e., submission to Christ) upon you, and learn of me (to learn the truths that He teaches). And if you do this, you’ll find rest (relief, peace, quietness; have a proper fellowship with Me) in your souls.

Did you know that this God can change your life right now? He can provide you with a new nature, i.e., a divine life. He can change your desires with new ones. He can change your weaknesses and become your source of strength. He can change destructive thoughts into uplifting ones. And He can do so much more. So, what about you? Do you want to stay where you are or enter into an entirely new realm, i.e., a spiritual one? If your answer is yes, then here’s your remedy. It’s a confession that you can express right now. You can read it silently to yourself or out loud.

God the Father, I acknowledge that I have sinned in many areas, such as slandering others; having sexual relations outside of marriage; being jealous; having participated in alcohol or drug abuse; having sex with others of the same gender; committing adultery; taking money from others in a deceitful manner; committing rape; engaging in pedophilia; etc. I don’t want to continue in these mental, verbal, and overt sins. I need a new nature.

I believe in your Son Jesus Christ as one of the members of the Trinity, who, as God pre-existed time; came to the earth and took on the form of a man, being born of a virgin (no sin nature); lived a sinless life; listened to and obeyed the directives of his Father; went to the cross and paid for the penalty of and forgave the sins of the whole world; rose from the dead after three days, never to die again, walked the earth in His resurrection body for forty days witnessing to over five hundred people and ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father.

And according to your promise, send the Holy Spirit to come and indwell my body, thus imparting to me a new nature along with all of the additional benefits promised. Thank you!

Now, one of the members of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, has come to indwell your body. He will serve as your counselor, guide, teacher, comforter, etc. You have become a new creation. Over time, He’ll give you glimpses of His working in your life. Ask Him whatever it is that you need help with. He’s always there for you.

Of all of the spiritual blessings that we’ve looked at up to now, this next one is probably the most controversial. Let’s find out why.

Endnotes

154“Michelle’s Story,” nami 7 December 2022

.

155Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary.

156Barnes’ Notes.

My name is James Rondinone. I am a husband, father, and spiritual leader.

I grew up in Massachusetts and began my own spiritual journey early on in life.

I attended Bible college, having completed a two-year Christian Leadership Course of Study and graduated as valedictorian (Summa Cum Laude).

Studying and teaching the Word of God has been a passion of mine for over 20 years.

US Sports Soccer: How to WIN The Recruiting Process and Earn an Athletic Scholarship and Austin FC vs. LAFC Full Match Highlights

by James Vint

Description

Getting a college scholarship is hard! This course will give you the information you need to help navigate the complex waters of college recruiting. Over $3.6 Billion in scholarships are awared each year, but less than 2% of high school athletes will earn scholarship money. This course will give you the tools to maximize your opportunities to earn an athletic scholarship. This course contains resources and tools that you can download and use throughout your recruitment. Coach Vint also takes you through the entire process of building a recruiting plan, to help you earn that coveted athletic scholarship.  Book this course.

You will learn about the entire life cycle of the college recruiting process, as well as:

• Paying For College
• Academic Requirements
• Physical Requirements
• Gaining Exposure and Marketing Yourself
• Social Media and Recruiting
• Building Momentum With Social Media
• Camps and Showcases
• Choosing The Right College
• How The Transfer Portal Has Affected Recruiting
• Covid and Recruiting
• 10 Keys To Becoming A Scholarship Athlete
• Things That Sabotage the Process
• Mistakes Parents Make, and The Parental Role
• Building A Recruiting Plan
• And much, much more
• Downloadable Templates To Help You Maximize Your Opportunities

While this course focuses on football, the knowledge and tools you will get from this course are applicable to athletes wanting scholarships in other sports as well. If you were to attend this course in person as a weekend seminar, you would pay hundreds of dollars! Coach Vint wanted to make this course accessible to everyone who wanted to learn this valuable information. You will have lifetime access to this course, as well as the resources and downloads that are provided.  Book this course

The Coach

James Vint

Football Coach and Clinician

James Vint has been involved in recruiting for over 20 years. He has been a high school recruiting coordinator, college coach and recruiter, and is a trusted resource and recruiting consultant for parents, students, and coaches, helping them to increase their opportunities to earn athletic scholarships. He has given hundreds of recruiting seminars and programs across the country over the last 20 years. He is one of the most respected coaches in the country when it comes to educating prospects, coaches, and parents. 

US Sports Track & Field: How Distance Running Coaches Can Get the Most Out of Their Athletes and Habtom Samuel, New Mexico Cross Country Grind At Altitude

 

• By Grant Young
 

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When it comes to coaching distance runners, there’s one obvious training method: make the runners run; the farther, the better. 

But it shouldn’t be that simple if coaches truly want to maximize their athletes’ potential. Regardless of what level your athletes are at, you would be short-changing their progress if their daily training regimen only consisted of distance running. Not only would this contribute to these athletes feeling burnt out, but there are plenty of other training techniques that have been proven to help runners become the best version of themselves. 

And one of the key figures driving this movement toward improved distance runner training is Jay Johnson.

Jay Johnson has coached collegiate, professional, and adult runners for two decades. Coach Johnson started his career as the head track and cross country coach at Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas, before returning to CU to serve as an assistant cross country coach, middle-distance coach, and recruiting coordinator. After eight years as a collegiate coach, Johnson transitioned to coaching post-collegiate athletes, three of whom won USATF titles, the most notable being Brent Vaughn, who won the USATF 2011 Cross Country championship. 

Coach Johnson is deeply involved with high school running. His popular YouTube channel has close to 2,300,000 views, with runners of all ages using this resource to learn exercises and routines needed to gain the strength and mobility necessary to remain injury-free.  

Coach Johnson’s ‘Consistency Is Key: Training Principles for Distance Coaches’ course has proven to be an indispensable training device for many professional, collegiate, high school, and youth track and field coaches. 

We have pulled some of Coach Johnson’s best insights from his course and distilled them into easily digestible bits that will give you a taste of the training wisdom he can offer when it comes to making your distance runners the best they can be.

What To Train - Introduction

While there’s a lot that should go into long-distance running training, there’s no doubt that actually running long distances should be a central part of a team or individual’s regimen. 

But the important part here that Coach Johnson stresses is that it isn’t good enough just to tell your runners to go run a random set of miles each day for practice. Rather, there needs to be structure (and a purpose) to each training session, even if it’s just distance running. 

And the purpose should be to build up the runner’s anaerobic base (or, as Coach Johnson calls it, their engine). And there are lots of different ways to do this that aren’t just a typical long-distance run every day.

One example of this is what Coach Johnson calls a “critical velocity run”. While this might sound like a complex concept, what it essentially means is a timed run where the runner’s goal is to run at the same pace throughout.

In order to achieve this, the runner would need to be checking their pace at set intervals (say, every five minutes), and try to maintain a running pace there she wouldn’t lose any time every five minutes. 

This is going to take time for the runner to perfect. But if this becomes a weekly part of the long-distance training routine then it can become a huge asset in building up a runner’s anaerobic endurance. 

Run Race Pace (or faster)

“This is the second biggest mistake I see athletes and coaches make. Kids have to be ready to run race pace. Training a touch faster is important, but also, you need to have a progression of strides.” - Coach Johnson

The first mistake that Coach Johnson alluded to in that quote is when high school athletes are not running strides most days. And he notes that the second biggest mistake made is not practicing race pace enough. 

While an athlete building their engine and strengthening their aerobic endurance should be a crucial component to one’s distance training, the lungs aren’t the only part of the body that needs to build stamina. 

 A runner’s legs also must be trained up. And there’s no better way to get one’s legs acclimated to running at race pace than running at race pace. 

Of course, this will take time to build up, and runners should not try to be running at race pace at their race distance on day one of training. But Coach Johnson notes that doesn’t mean a 400 or 800m runner can’t run 50 meters at race pace in the first week of practice just to get that race-like feel, and increase the distance from there. 

Remember To Sleep

“Sleep is like a secret ingredient in the recipe of running success.”

We’ve all been told countless times how important sleep is for our health and overall well-being. And Coach Johnson asserts that this is even more paramount for a distance runner.

Coach Johnson suggests that a distance runner (or any athlete, for that matter) should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night. In order to ensure this happens, he believes the best course of action is to work backward. 

First, a runner should figure out what they must wake up in the morning. From there, the athlete should figure out what’s (at least) eight hours before that wake-up time and plan to be in bed, trying to sleep, at that point. 

It might sound like a long shot that a coach can convince their athletes to go to sleep at 9 PM on a weeknight. But Coach Johnson claims that if any of those kids are willing and receptive to doing so, then those are almost certainly going to be your future champions and record-breakers.

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