Today, more than ever, performance coaches have their optimal way of working and will defend their way of working to no end. It's wonderful to have a belief system, if you don't then what are you really doing each day? The problem is the performance staff often do not dictate how the team will train, the head coach is responsible. There in lies the problem with performance departments across the world. We want to have influence and educate those around us why our way is the best way to train. The issue is we are not the ones who are held responsible for when a team performs poorly or loses a match, the head coach gets to take the abuse. Sure the head coach will probably let you hear it behind closed doors but it isn't the same. The purpose of this post is to shine light on the fact that we need to be able to adjust and work within a multitude of different training philosophies. If we aren't able to accomplish this then someone else will be brought in who is more flexible and less stubborn in their beliefs. Also, guess what? There is more than one way to train so loosen up! You might be saying "Well, I'd sit down with the head coach and work together to develop our training philosophy." Sure this can happen from time to time but understand when results start going poorly, the coach will revert back to what they find comfortable.
The purpose of this post is to describe how someone working in performance, sports science, S&C, or whatever title makes you feel important, needs to do to work within multiple training styles. We need to check our egos not even at the door. For us to have a long successful and enjoyable career we need to be prepared to work in several different ways.
Below are different training approaches and how we as performance staff need to adjust to serve the athletes and complete our jobs. I have personally worked for each of the below styles of training approaches. I wish I could say I was successful in all of them but that's not the truth. I only have learned using hindsight in a few of them. While I was in the trenches at a few clubs my ego got in the way and I was too stubborn in my methods.
Please don't get bogged down in titles of these approaches. You can call them whatever you want. Also there are no absolutes and most likely every head coach is a combination of approaches but they will have a predominate way of working.
Holistic Approach
This is the coach who doesn't believe in separating the game into different focuses (technical, tactical, physical, psychological) but believes that he game should be trained in the same complex nature as a match. This means no separation of physical work or exercises designed with a physical goal in mind. This is usually the most challenging type of head coach for the performance coach to work with as their visible role is diminished. There will not be any isolated running, fitness with the ball, or significant gym work. It doesn't matter what science and research tell us in this situation. Head coaches who work in this manner are usually very married to their beliefs.
To be successful in this training approach we need to become highly educated in drill design and planning of microcycles. Also, obtaining coaching licenses will be beneficial in understanding the process in which coaches go through when planning training.
We have to be able to understand how we can give input into the coaches exercises to try and create organic physical outcomes. For example, if the coach is planning on a 10v6 exercise but we want this session to obtain specific volumes of high speed running or sprint then we could ask the coach to increase the dimensions of the exercise to create more opportunity for these types of speeds.
In regards to microcycles we need to understand how to alternate different types of stimuli within soccer exercises through the week. This means becoming highly educated on manipulating training variables (dimensions, duration of exercises, number of players involved, etc.) to achieve physical outcomes. For example, the head coach may want to train in tight spaces on MD-2 but we can advise them to shift this to MD-4 to ensure proper recovery before the match.
Ok, I know you are thinking that we have to strength train or injuries will occur and performances will struggle, I agree but with this type of coach you need to approach the gym in a cautious way. First off, start simple and with short sessions, maybe even do them on the field to give the illusion that isn't not a "gym" session. In my experience you need to slowly gain buy in and who that the gym work isn't affecting the team negatively. Once you've accomplished this you can steadily add to what you are already doing.
Integrated Approach
We've all heard of the coach who says "all my fitness is done with the ball". This is a simplification of what an integrated approach would entail. Through the use of different manufactured training exercises the coach is able to create a bias towards physical demands. Examples would be playing small, medium, or large sized games on "fitness or "conditioning" days. Or setting up technical circuits that align with the day's physical goals. The different between the holistic approach and integrated approach is that the holistic approach achieves physical goals as a by-product of planning and organizing the tactical elements of the game. The integrated approach purposely plans exercises to create physical demands without necessarily taking into account any tactical development.
As a performance coach in this approach we need to be creative in our understanding of small, medium, and large sided games and how they impact the team physically. We need to know how we can adjust the variables of these games to illicit different physical outcomes, such as, eliminating thrown ins, goal kicks, and corners. We would then use an automatic ball being played back into the game to keep the game going. This would increase the overall intensity and demands of the match. In addition we need to understand how to set up different types of circuits depending on positions for specific types of training days (both intensive and extensive). By gaining a grasp on these two different modes of physical development with the ball we will put ourselves in an advantageous position with a coach who works in this manner.
As far as the gym is concerned this can be tricky. I've seen some coaches with this approach be fine with traditional gym based resistance training. I have also witnessed this type of coach who wants the gym work accompanied by the ball as well. This may mean a circuit that alternates between resistance training and technical work or it could just mean a gym based session that combines the two (I know, I'm not a huge fan either). Keeping things simple and using foundational lifts are key in this style. We shouldn't do too much outside of squatting, hinging, pushing, and pulling.
Traditional Approach
The simplest way of describing this approach is that we train (soccer) then we do our physical work. In this style the coach separates the soccer and the physical into different parts of the training process. This way of working was very common in recent history but as influences from Portugal, Germany, and Spain have come into modern soccer it is becoming less and less frequent. An example of this kind of training approach would be a session with an extensive focus (large spaces, higher player numbers, longer durations, etc.) we would then finish with or incorporate extensive isolate running.
When working in this approach we need to have knowledge in preparing isolated running sessions based upon individual profiles. This means by position, age, injury history, etc. We cannot assign the same isolated running for all players. This is a quick way to under train some, over train some, and give others the wrong kind of running. For example a center back doesn't need the same prescription as a winger. We need to understand what each individual's profile requires and then work off of that knowledge. The utilization of average training and game metrics for each player should give us a baseline to work off of. We would most likely group players with similar profiles to simplify the process.
In regards to the gym an resistance training this approach actually makes life fairly straightforward. The performance staff usually has free reign to work as they see fit. The key is to show progress within the gym by tracking weights or other measurable. This kind of coach will put a heavy emphasis on all physical work and wants to see progress.
Random Approach
This approach is challenging as from day to day you just do not know what to expect but you need to be prepared for anything. There are still coaches out there who don't have a belief or method to how they work. We as performance staff need to have enough tools in our tool belt to be able to adapt on a daily basis.
The key is understanding how to plan scientifically backed exercises within each session whether they are games, circuits, isolated running, or technical drills. There will be times that the coach does something that doesn't fit the day's goals. Instead of getting frustrated we need to figure out how we adjust, whether that be adding additional work to the session or removing components. We will most likely have to make adjustments to the next day's goals as well. I've found in my experience that you need to create multiple plans for each day's session just in case. If the coach comes up to you and says "I want them to run" you better have a plan for some running prepared that fits the day's goals. If they say "run a circuit" well you better have a circuit that fits that day's targets. It's additional work but necessary to keep the team performing at a high level.
The most important thing is not getting bogged down in the randomness or frustration. If you hate it so much then it's not the best fit for you to work. If you choose to work there then you have to move past all of that and accept each day will be a surprise but you won't flinch as you are prepared for everything!
The main takeaway from this post is that important for you to do some research on the head coach before taking your next job or you need to gain information if there has been a coaching change. If you can prepare yourself to work in a way that fits the coach's preferred means then you will be more successful. Of course the best situation is where you align yourself with a coach who fits your preferred way of working, this is everyone's dream but can be hard to bring to fruition. If anything we just need to meet coaches where they currently are and work from that starting point. The more trust and the stronger the relationship built then we will be able to slowly influence any pre-established training approach. It is also important to note that teams have been successful with each of these different training approaches. Sure there are one or two that have maybe had more success recently but we cannot discount any of them. If you can adjust and work in multiple ways you will have a long and successful career. I can attest from personal experience that if your ego gets in the way you will find it challenging.
So what kind of coach do you work for? Or more importantly what is your preferred method of working? The key is to find the best match and if you cannot then meet the coach where they are.
Thank you for your time and take care
Josh