Less is More: Criticisms on Coaching
This blog is on a seemingly simple subject, yet I see this happen all the time from different coaches across gyms. In my eyes, it is a major flaw—a cardinal sin, if you will—in the way coaches go about teaching athletes. Not only does this one thing usually not help the athlete to learn and grow, but it actually breaks down trust in the coach-athlete relationship because the athlete may end up being afraid to ask questions for fear of being seen as stupid.
The Problem: Excessively Scientific Language
When I visit different gyms, I like to ask the coaches questions regarding the workout or their thoughts regarding a certain issue I may (or may not) have. This is not to judge their answer in the hopes of finding someone I deem inferior, for that should never be a goal of any person, but more so to get a feel of the knowledge and character of the coaching staff.
Things I value and respect:
Simple and concise explanations.
Individual thought/understanding vs. regurgitated phrases that they may not even understand.
"I don't know." Or, even better, "I don't know, but I will find out."
Things I abhor:
Overly complex answers filled with scientific terminology and jargon.
Same as above, but with the specific purpose of getting an athlete to quit questioning you and leave you alone.
We have all done this. Once, a girl in one of my classes asked me why we were resting between rounds of a "metcon." My response--"Well, due to the recovery time of the anaerobic glycolytic pathway..."--and on I went. I was spectacular. I covered the designed intent of the workout as well as the recovery times and functions of the different energy systems while using the most beautifully intelligent language you could imagine. Clearly I knew what I was talking about. When I finished, I awaited my adoration and glory. It did not come. I looked at the girl and realized that I was an idiot. I had failed her. She had a simple question, in which a simple answer would have sufficed. Instead of now knowing more and growing as an athlete, she is likely more confused and will hesitate to ask more questions in fear of seeming dumb, while still not getting an answer to her question. This is not the learning and growth-oriented environment you want to foster in your gym.
In many instances I see and hear coaches doing the above in order to show off their intelligence and superiority within the realm of fitness. This to me is way worse than getting overly excited about your career field and geeking out a little bit. This seems like more of a deliberate attempt to show all these peasants that you reign supreme and that they should bow to you. To add more ridiculousness to the offense, this is done many times to get the athlete to stop questioning the coach and leave them alone. This is unacceptable. It belittles the people who are paying your bills and makes them feel stupid. They already know you are the subject matter expert. That's why they are paying you in the first place.
Easy Fix:
Don't be indulgent with your words. You should be able to explain concepts and give answers in very simple terms that anyone can understand. Confusing the client into obedience with fancy terminology and scientific jargon that they know nothing of does not help the client to grow nor will it help them to stay in the long run. There is a time and place for everything. If you are giving a seminar or writing blog with pieces dedicated to the science, that is fine, as long as the science is explained. Using jargon and terminology that you know the athlete/client doesn't understand does nothing but stroke your own ego about how awesome and intelligent you are. Meanwhile, they are still confused and are not learning anything. This doesn't make you cool, it makes you an asshole.
—Coach Jonathan
By Jonathan Poole at Unstoppable Athletes
https://www.unstoppableathletes.com
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