So for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is the most simple form of physics and at the basis of human form and movement. The thing that amazes me is how many "coaches" forget this important notion or may be they just don't understand the concept. There are so many "concepts" or "gimmicks" out there. 
When looking at technique or a technical model remember the human body is not a machine, the technical model should be a base for what an athlete looks like, however athletes come in many different shapes and forms. 
You can look at the three fastest men on the planet. They all look different, Usain Bolt is tall and thin, Yohan Blake is short and stalky, and Justin Gatlin is a hybrid of both the fore mentioned.  To make generalizations that would be beneficial for all three could be done but each one still has to have their own distinct style and method. 
The reason I bring up this topic is I've listened to coaches, read blogs, and hear coaches spewing information that is not based on any of Newton's principles. Maybe it's a lack of knowledge or maybe too much belief in their own knowledge.   I'm fortunate because I am able to surround myself with some of the most brilliant minds in the world. If you haven't read Ralph Mann's book on the sprints and hurdles then you need to go out, buy it, read it, then read it again. 
If you don't understand it then just live by these easy principles:
1. The fastest people create the greatest forces in the shortest amount of time
2. Strength to weight ratio is critical, so athletes need to be "fit" and strong
3. If you are looking at a technical sprint or jump issue that happens distally from the body you must first look at whats happening proximally (the feet only can do what is created at the hip)
4. The body cannot get into ideal positions if  there is a lack of postural stability and postural integrity
5. It takes hours to become an expert, so quantity needs to be balanced with quality
6. Always learn, seek new knowledge, The first book every coach should read is: Neurophysiological Basis of Movement
7. Finally ask questions, we are afraid of sometimes seeming ignorant, ignorance is not a bad thing, it is simply a lack of knowledge

As we have gone back to a mini base and recovery phase after the indoor season it has reminded me of things that make "professional track" so different then college and high school. 

 1. The post collegiate season is completely different and has no definitive end, it differs athlete by athlete and event to event, being too influenced by the collegiate calendar can be very detrimental

2. The travel has a huge effect on performance and success is finding ways to train and compete at a high level while dealing with jet lag and over 20 hours of travel 

3. During World championship and Olympic years the trials is just as important as the actual championship, so first you must achieve the standard and second you have to perform at the championship

4. Don't underestimate the importance of securing a big mark, to play with the big dogs you have to show you belong there

5. The Diamond League is a broken system but it's the only system we have, so meet directors and agents can determine world rankings more than the performance of an athlete, you can get more world ranking points for a 5th place finish and 7.90m jump then an 8.20 jump at Mt Sac

6. You need to find an environment that helps the athlete and is athlete centered, in the end all college coaches get paid for coaching the collegiate athlete so that will always be their priority

7. In the jumps and sprints, most Olympians and Medalist come from south of the 38th Northern parallel

8. Male Olympians in track are roughly 27.5 years of age and women are 28.5 years of age, so college should not be the end of the road

9. You have to be Eurocentric, meets will fly you while your in Europe but if your not a medalist they are not going to fly your from the states

Just some various thoughts and contemplations as we head into outdoors and establish our world and national rankings. Cheers 

The hardest thing about an off year, is the off year. This year there is no major championship for American track athletes and really the next major for us is in Beijing in about a year and half time. 
   We still have important things to accomplish because we will try to win a diamond league title so we can get automatic entry into the world championship. There is still the ability to try and get into the diamond leagues as to increase world ranking, and we still have the US Championships in our home state of California. 
  The goal is to be Eurocentric this summer. Meaning to be based in Europe because we need the ability to get around and compete through out Europe and with our roster we have,  we have a tough time supplanting each other in regards to meets. 
 Our roster includes three combined jumpers who have jumped 8.29 lj and 17.70 tj, 8.10 lj and 16.99 tj, and 8.15 lj and 16.97 tj, a 16.89 tj, a 8.19 lj, a 8.22 lj, 7.25 lj, a new addition of a 6.97 ljer, a 13.89 tj and 6.60 lj, a 14.02 tj, and 14.16 tj; that is an amazing group but one that needs a European hub for the summer. 
   It's a fantastic problem to have but we need to get over 8.30 in the lj, more 17.40 tj, more 14.20 tj, and more 7 lj. We will quietly keep progressing and creating medalist, Olympians, world finalist, and national champions. 
    Meantime at the training center we will have some amazing athletes as world record holders, world champions, and international athletes train and live a=in Chula Vista this spring. Go to www.runnercard.com and come check out some meets in the spring, you may see your favorite field event athlete. 

This year has been like any track season, it's had it's ups and downs. 
Lets start with the downs.
Will Claye strained his hammy at nationals (luckily nothing to serious), Chris Benard missed the world team by 6 cm in the long jump and 1 cm in the triple. Ronnie Taylor strained his hammy, after missing time due to his groin. And finally Tyron Stewart missed the final at world's because  I was being cute and thought 8m would make the final and had him pass his 2nd jump in prelims. He missed finals by 1 cm. 
Now the goods.
Will has won medals at every championship and needs a well deserved rest. So sometimes God has plans that are unseen to us initially. Chris PB'd in both the long jump and triple jump this year by 46 and 49 cm respectively in each event. Troy Doris PR'd and established himself in the top ten after having to take a year off for knee injury. Tyron won his first US Championship and had the third furthest jump in the world indoors. 
So now that we head to outdoors I know what we must due and things we must do to recover and not repeat those mistakes. So I feel blessed and honored to work with and amazing group of athletes. And sometimes we are at our lowest when we claim to the highest and achieve the greatest. 

So today I watched the women from the USA win the silver and bronze medal at the winer Olympics.  Knowing Nic Taylor and his finacee Elena Myers and having scene the work they did day by day at the track at the OTC, I know a little bit about the work done to create that silver medal. Yes she had a chance to win the gold, but her accomplishments mean she will be able to run the gammit of Olympic medals by winning the gold next time to go along with her bronze and silver.  
I didn't enjoy the comments from the peanut gallery and social media. People who have know idea the countless hours that have come down to less than a 50 second run. People see the victory and agony of defeat but they don't see the journey, the struggles, the highs and lows. So I start off by saying amazing! Congratulations and everyone who supports you is so proud. 

This weekend  we head to USATF Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I leave tomorrow with a surprising sense of ease. I know the athletes are ready and now they just have to display their God given talent. I know that despite a win or loss, making a team or not, and whether they perform their best or not they will go well prepared. The Olympics reminded me it's truly not about the actual meet but the journey we have been on to get there. The daily and weekly sacrifices they have made, the improvements they have made, and their will to be successful and reach new levels that haven't been reached before. So to all the athletes competing this weekend I wish you luck, God speed, and this quote, "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!” –Audrey Hepburn

It's the 10th week of training and how time has flown. This year in my training group I'm fortunate to coach Will Claye, Tyron Stewart, Bryce Lamb, Ronnie Taylor, Markeith Price, Jeff Skiba, Chris Benard, Troy Doris, Arnaud Assoumani, Amanda Smock, Brittney Reese, April Sinkler, Toni Smith, and work a little with Akheel Whitehead and Lex Gilette. It's a very talented group of athletes all with different personalities but all with a passion to achieve success and driven to a common goal. That is to better oneself from practice to practice and repetition to repetition. 
      In these weeks I've discovered and employed many techniques to keep them progressing and getting stronger and faster. But at all times we remain grounded to the principle of progression and building both a physical and technical foundation. I'm truly excited to see the fruits of our labor but also know that my athletes need a break from me. We start after the first of the year competing and building to indoor nationals and indoor worlds. Exciting is an understatement! Please follow each and every athlete because their stories are amazing, cheers and have a happy and safe holidays. 

In San Diego we are fortunate to have rain about every three years. We definitely are fortunate to have it rain on a recovery day, and when I say rain I mean a light misting and maybe some decent drops of rain.

So my goal is to update my blogs bi-monthly. I have no true reason why I can't honestly do it more often except I think it would get stale. 

Fall training is a very important starting point for any season. As with any living organism homeostasis is something that helps us from maintaining a healthy and injury free living. In athletes it is just as important. We as coaches must thrive for balance from our athletes. We train the right side or left left side according to the individual but how often do we make sure that the alternate side is trained also. I dont expect an athlete to be bale to jump 7 meters off the left and right leg. But I do expect the same balance and flexibility on the "other" leg. Whether its the dominant of non-dominant leg they must be able to create similar forces, if one leg is over working the other you will have a variety of issues come up. So make sure your balancing your trianin

Jordan's are one of my material weaknesses in the world. They in all sense of God and just plain humanity are a little in humane. They run about $120-170 and are close to half the average household income of a family in Ethiopia.