You Talk Too Much.

———-

If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water.

Ernest Hemingway

———-

Here is what a new coach says when cuing the bodyweight squat:

New Coach: Before we start moving, remember to keep your feet shoulder width apart, chest up, send your butt back,relax your head, drive the knees out, lock the back, big chest, lift the arms, make sure you get parallel, keep your torso elongated, tighten your abs, and stand all the way up. Got it?

Contrast that with what Mike Burgener says over and over when coaching the Snatch (arguably the most technically demanding movement we use).

Coach Burgener: Jump and land.

———-

I think the X factor in this habit is the insecurity felt by new coaches. They feel a need to show everyone they know what they are doing.

“Look at him, he can cue the squat 80 different ways! He must be a great coach!”

Wrong.

Coaching isn’t about giving every cue, it’s about giving the right cue. An easy drill. A word or two here and there. Consistent reinforcement.

“Stay back”

“Big breath”

“Extend”