Interview Collection '08

In this interview with Coach Lester, he begins with a discussion on his background and upbringing as a coach in the sport. He then offers his ideas on the training of the 400m, such as the role of maximal speed and speed endurance in this event, the structure of a weekly plan, and the development of strength he employs. He offers his views on planning and periodization, planning for a major competition such as the recent Olympics, and the importance of therapy in his program. Tony also reveals his thoughts on the coaching structure and athlete development system in the UK as we move towards the London 2012 Olympics.

In this interview, George discusses in detail his development as a coach through the 1960s and ‘70s and how the sport, and specifically practices related to coaching, have changed. He outlines the history of the Loughborough Circuit, including his inspiration for its creation and how it has evolved over the last thirty years. He also discusses the intricacies of preparing middle-distance runners for championship racing and what his experiences working with some of the world’s greatest runners has taught him. For any endurance coach looking for inspiration and advice from one of athletics’ true coaching luminaries, this is a must-listen-to interview.

In part one of this interview, Coach Anderson begins by reviewing his history and development as a coach. He then goes into great detail about his training program, including examples of weekly plans in both the general and special preparatory periods. He also talks about some technical aspects of sprinting and the evaluation of technique in general. And finally, his thoughts on the inclusion of various strength parameters, such as maximal and elastic strength, into a training plan rounds out this portion of the interview.

In the second part of the interview, Vince gives some great advice on a number of topics related to training and coaching. The matters discussed include his philosophy of combined events training, the training of 2008 American 100m champion Muna Lee, dealing with a major games environment and some highlights of his career. Perhaps most importantly, the methods of planning and periodization which Coach Anderson subscribes to are talked about in great detail. For coaches of all abilities, this interview offers no shortage of valuable information and insight.

In this interview, Elio discusses a number of factors surrounding coaching development. Topics discussed include his background in coaching, professionalizing coaching, the need to develop coaches and advice for young coaches. He also talks about the challenges facing the European countries (specifically after a relatively poor showing in Beijing), the possibility of having a successful high performance stream without alienating the developmental coaching base, what he consistently notices from the top athletics nations and the some of the biggest issues facing our sport globally. This interview gives fantastic insight into the current state and future direction of the athletics coaching profession.

In part one of this two part interview Dr. Denison discusses a number of topics related to endurance running from the African perspective. First, he talks about his background in the sport and how his understanding of endurance training has evolved throughout his career both as an athlete and as a coach. He goes on to discuss the Beijing endurance results, the appearance of Kenyan success in the women’s events, his relationship with Gebrselassie (and the process of writing his biography), the coaching situation in east Africa and the current state of endurance running from a global point of view. For all fans of athletics this in an insightful interview into the world of African endurance running.

In this interview he discusses the writing of his book (including the new edition), monitoring systems, periodization, the importance of variation in sprint training methodology and the training of various abilities necessary for sprinting success. As well, he gives a biomechanical overview of all elements of sprint performance including block set-up, acceleration and full flight mechanics. For sprint coaches everywhere this interview offers some fresh ideas on biomechanics and how to coach the sprinting events.

In this interview Dr. Bartonietz discusses his view on the current techniques of the world’s best shot putters, the glide vs. spin techniques, discus release mechanics, current hammer throw techniques at the world level, maximal strength training, youth development considerations in the throws, speed in the throwing events, using light and heavy implement training, special strength training and his views towards Beijing. For throws coaches this is an interview you will not want to miss.

Recognized for his attention to detail and innovative approaches to coaching, in this fascinating interview coach Cook explains his system of supplemental conditioning work for middle and long-distance runners. Importantly, coach Cook is not just adding to his runners’ workload with such training methods and techniques as core stability and hurdle drills but constantly considering how to blend and combine these various modes of training with aerobic and anaerobic workouts to produce not just track athletes but complete athletes.

In this riveting follow-up interview, coach Cook talks openly and honestly, beginning with the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, about each step of the way on the “Road to Beijing”. He recounts the struggles and setbacks his team encountered, but how in the end they came together to produce some outstanding results. He also comments on the future of the endurance events and his beliefs about what coaches, athletes and governing bodies need to do to keep pace with the Africans. This is a hard-hitting, frank and fascinating interview with one of the most creative, innovative and original coaching minds working in athletics today.