There
is a tendency for coaches to be happy with pb performances within their group,
but I really wonder if this is the right way to address athletic progress.
Surely the AAA grading system is a better guide to progress, and when looked at
from the position within the county some glaring details can be seen where we
could put in some specific event training for the benefit of the athletes. Now,
ignoring the fact that some athletes achieved grades in several events and
therefore if we only count them once, and ignoring grade 3’s and 4’s for under
13’s, the following results are shown.
GIRLS/WOMEN BOYS/MEN
Under
13 3 4 4 5
Under
15 3 4 5 28 4 3 7 26
Under
17 4 5 9 8 2 4 3 10
Under
23 2 2 3 4 1
Under
13 girls
Sprinting standard was very poor, where two middle distance runners where
ranked in the top 3, after which there were lots of grade 3 and 4 performances.
So, it looks like sprinters are not doing enough endurance work during the
winter months through to late April before sharpening up on speed.
Under
15 girls. Long
Jump and nearly all throwers are grade 4.When looking at the sprint tables it
looks like they need more speed and leg strength, whilst the throwers were equally
grade 4 orientated, indicating they need more upper body strength.
Under
17 women In
all of the running events there are only 3 grade 1’s, 1 grade 2 and 3 grade
3’s, and of these, the only grade 2 (Emily Gunning) would appear to be better
qualified to turn her attention to the 400m than 800m. And this across the
whole county, don’t forget.
Junior
women. Only
Leah Paulley scored any grades in this age group.
Under
13 boys. Sprinting
was better than with the girls, and consequently so were the high and long
jumps. Of the field events, Shot Putt and Discuss came out top with lots of
grade 4’s
Under
15 boys Four
athletes shared the top three places in 200m 400m and 800m which looks to me
like some sprinters are slipping up letting middle distance runners enter the
top ranks of their events, so maybe sprinters should be doing more distance
work during the winter. As for hurdles, this came down to three pentathletes,
indicating we need more hurdle specific training. HJ and LJ came out well, and
throws came out with lots of grade 3’s and 4’s to give talent for improvement
in 2006.
Under
17 men Take
away Michael Williamson, Chad Collins and Jordon West and everybody else
between 100 and 800 was a grade 4. Maybe, just maybe, middle distance runners
are concentrating too much on cross-country to the detriment of the track
training, or more likely they lack strength or circuit training. Only you, the
coaches, know the reason. LJ and TJ require some specialist input for a number
of grade 4 performances. The interest is there, but the technique is not.
Junior
men A
reasonable smattering of 1’s, 2’s and 3’s, but as can be expected, most of them
are out of the county at university. I just hope their coaches are keeping in
touch to maintain interest.
Last
year we started a 2012 squad for grade 1 and 2 athletes, and to be fair, its
success was not as great as it may have been, but nevertheless, it had some
successes, partially attributed to the attendance rate which averaged around
50% Now we have added a County Squad for under 13’s with grade 2, and all other
age groups up to 23 with grade 3 or 4. This has raised the specific event
interest through the winter to 153 athletes who will be offered event training
days. The effect of these will depend upon the response of the athletes and
coaches.
To
my knowledge there are two strength-training groups in action. One at The Gym
in Truro, currently being used mainly by High jumpers and sprinters, and one at
Cornwall College, Pool that includes some throwers, sprinters and a jumper.
I
would recommend strength training to any discipline of athletics, which is why
2012 athletes can receive some financial support if they attend a gym