So I spoke with three different coaches the past few weeks; one college and two professional (meaning they deal with professional athletes). And something came up independently at each of these conversations and I've said this before (or at least alluded to it). But I think one of them summed it much better:



"Coaching is about 85-90% communication/understanding of the human and 10-15% programming/knowledge."



To piggy back this, I was talking with Martin Rooney years ago and out of the blue I asked him, "How much training knowledge do you really use on a daily basis?" His response, "About 10%."

About 15 years ago I made the proclamation, "Be the best beginner coach you can be." Because in actual, real coaching (i.e. in person, large teams) 100% of the people are beginners or, at most, an intermediate. They may be advanced in their athletic event but in terms of training, all are beginners (and some intermediates). I know this upsets some people who believe that some crazy, super complicated training program is the answer. But it's not. It never was. And even today, with 30 years of obsessive training/reading/learning, I still do very basic, almost-beginner training. 5's PRO, Boring But Big, stretching and running stairs/Prowler/weight vest, etc.



So the shitty thing about most people's situation is that they don't have a coach to help them. And so I say this to them,

"Training is 85-90% effort and consistency and 10-15% programming/knowledge."

How is this even possible? Because 100% of the time action beats sitting around with a thumb up your ass. Or sitting on the computer debating someone. Or doing anything other than getting shit done. I don't care how much you want to spin this, action always beats DOING NOTHING.



I'm still learning about training but more importantly, I'm still learning about coaching. And if I never learn another thing about training but get better at coaching (communication, getting everyone to respond/believe/buy in, understanding each and every kid, etc.), I would be an INFINITELY BETTER COACH. Because no matter how much I learn, if I can't get people to do it, to believe in it, to embrace it...it is absolutely pointless.



For the majority of you, read this as "And if I never learn another thing about training but get better at consistency, effort and attitude, I would be an INFINITELY BETTER ATHLETE."