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<\/a><\/p>\nRecap GAIN IX\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n
Having just returned home from another awe inspiring GAIN experience, my 2nd GAIN in a row now, I thought I would share with you some of the key parts of this experience and some of the key messages shared throughout the week\u2026<\/p>\n
GAIN Mission<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cProvide a global platform for education, innovation and motivation in Athletic Development. The focus is on developing and strengthening the connection between all elements of the sports performance team to produce adaptable athletes that are prepared for optimum performance.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n GAIN Goals<\/b><\/p>\n GAIN X Theme<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cThe Coaching Process – Leading Effect Change\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Three Prongs of GAIN…<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n One Mission – One Team<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cWe are more likely to overcome our struggles and difficulties to find what we are looking for when we are willing to take others with us on the journey.\u201d (Simon Sinek)<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n One Purpose<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cTo instill a culture of daily physical preparation that grows & nurtures adaptable athletes who understand the wisdom of their bodies, its ability to self organise & solve movement problems.\u201d (Vern Gambetta)<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 6:30am Teaching Sessions<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n These are another fundamental factor that underpins what GAIN is all about\u2026 It gives you the opportunity to learn practically from the WORLD CLASS GAIN Faculty and apply the theory and examples they give in their presentations.<\/p>\n Each morning there are 3 stations that each group moves around spending about 15\/20 minutes at each station\u2026 so over the course of GAIN we get to experience 11 or 12 different aspects of Athletic Development. All these sessions are carried out on the Rice University Athletics Track before breakfast.<\/p>\n Wade Gilbert<\/span>: \u201cBuilding a Culture of Competitive Excellence\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cOur culture helped us win the game\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here are a few key messages that Wade gave during the introduction\u2026<\/p>\n He then went on to share in detail each area of a \u2018Culture of Excellence\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n Wade next shared the research article that looked into the inner workings of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team…<\/p>\n The last part of his first presentation shared the Self-Determination Theory and the 3 human basic needs of\u2026 Autonomy, Relatedness and Competency.<\/p>\n Wade Gilbert<\/span>: \u201cReflect and Grow\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n During Wade\u2019s 2nd presentation he went into depth of the square \u2018Authentic Learning (Reflection)\u2019 from the \u2018Culture of Excellence\u2019 quadrant…<\/p>\n \u201cExperience is a great thing – everyone can learn from it.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cThose coaches content with the past make good door mats for those coaches knocking on the door of opportunity.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n One of the best things that Wade does is bring research to life\u2026<\/p>\n The key points being\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cFocus on the Process not the Outcome\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n He then shared the Reflection Framework<\/b>\u2026<\/p>\n He also shared one the core parts of the Toyota process that makes them so successful as a business…<\/p>\n Ken Clark<\/span>: SPEED and CHANGE OF DIRECTION<\/b><\/p>\n First up I was blown away by the passion and enthusiasm Ken had as a presenter, let alone the amount of expertise and knowledge he had.<\/p>\n Speed Science<\/span>: The Mechanics underlying Linear Sprinting Performance<\/b><\/p>\n Speed is the most important physical quality\/characteristic. If you\u2019ve speed you\u2019ve got a spot somewhere on a team. One of the key things with Ken\u2019s and Dr Peter Weyand\u2019s research on sprinting, is that they have looked across the \u2018Spectrum of Ability\u2019: Developmental, Intermediate, Professional and Olympic and they know what separates the fast from the fastest.<\/p>\n The key BIG takeaway from this presentation from a Mechanical Goal is to apply more force (relative to body weight) and to apply that force faster (maximum rate of force application) in an optimal direction.<\/p>\n The key BIG takeaway from this presentation from a Technical Goal is a neutral stable posture (Get long and strong\/braced), have a powerful frontside recovery (Punch, Push, Switch-off), and stiff ground contact under Hips (\u201cHammer the nails\u201d).<\/p>\n \u201cWhat separates FAST v. SLOW runners\u2026?\u201d:-<\/i><\/p>\n Speed Science<\/span>: Mechanics underlying Multi-Directional Performance<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cMulti-Directional Speed determines if you can use your Linear Speed\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ken shared the difference between \u2018Change of Direction\u2019 and \u2018Agility\u2019 with the key difference being the Cognitive\/Decision Making aspect to \u2018Agility\u2019.<\/p>\n Pattern recognition and Postural cues are the key differences at the top level in the sense that the higher the level, the faster that these players recognise these cues, and thus have more time to apply their speed in the right direction.<\/p>\n Some of the key things\u2026<\/p>\n Bill Knowles<\/span>: Athletic Development and Reconditioning<\/b><\/p>\n One of Bill\u2019s roles is the Director of Athletic Development for the Philadelphia Soccer Union in the USA\u2026 In 2 and a half years he\u2019s had no Hamstring strains and only 1 ACL injury. Then if I was to tell you that several hundred players are part of the Academy and train\/play like 6 times a week. That\u2019s nearly 100,000 occasions when players are on the field a year. So in nearly a quarter of a millions points he\u2019s had 1 ACL injury and NO Hamstring strains.<\/p>\n At the Soccer Academy they have 1 system from the 14 year olds through to the 1st XI that play in the MLS Soccer League.<\/p>\n ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT: A Performance Based Model for Injury Reduction and Reconditioning<\/b><\/p>\n One of the foundations of this model is developing a better soccer playing athlete. The 5 stages to this process are\u2026<\/p>\n Some of the key messages were\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cKeep Physical Competence one step ahead of Technical and Tactical\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cMulti-sport athlete to 14\/15 years old\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cInvestment everyday\u2026 Build up over time\u2026\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The 4 pillars of Athletic Development Training\u2026<\/p>\n RECONDITIONING<\/span>: A Performance Based Model for Injured Athlete<\/b><\/p>\n The key messages Bill shared in this presentation were\u2026<\/p>\n Vern Gambetta<\/span>: WINNING THE WORKOUT<\/b><\/p>\n I share a few of the points Vern shared with us\u2026<\/p>\n Meal Times<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Probably the most underrated part of any Seminar\/Clinic\/Workshop\/Conference is the time given between lectures\/presentations\/practicals to reflect, network and take time out to get to know people personally.<\/p>\n At GAIN, Vern does a great job with the schedule to ensure there is ample time between the different sessions. It is by design that this happens. One of the many outcomes of entering the GAIN Professional Network are the connections you make. These meal times make those connections much more personal which adds another layer to the overall whole experience. You delve right past the superficial things and really get to know people on a personal level. So many personal friendships start at the dinner tables.<\/p>\n The quality and quantity of food puts the icing on the cake! It is all you can eat, a help yourself service and there are so many options to have at each meal time. At breakfast you\u2019ve got your fruit and cereals, a cooked breakfast option and\/or toast and bagels. There are always 3 options for hot food at lunch and dinner times or you can always opt for the salad bar. There is a variety of unlimited drinks at each meal time.<\/p>\n The Faculty<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n What can I say\u2026?! Simply world class!<\/p>\n This is one of the best things about GAIN\u2026 the QUALITY of the Faculty members who give up their time amongst their very busy schedules to share their vast knowledge and experiences. They are at the top of their games at the highest levels of competition across a whole range of levels and competitions.<\/p>\n For example, you have:-<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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