These Games will be unique for the American athletes. It will be the first time since 1972 in Munich that the US will be in the home country of a medal count rival for an Olympic Games. Our athletes and teams have been working hard to secure their “slot” for the Games. There are a number of qualifying competitions, rankings and times that determine who and what sports are eligible to attend that have been occurring this year.
The cover page is a photo of the Women’s Volleyball team which has secured their “slot” for the Games at the FIVB Championships. The “thrill of victory” is apparent in the faces and actions of these athletes.
This edition of Olympic Coach hits many topics. We will start with an article comparing Elite coaches from 1988 to those in 2007. Twenty years does make a difference in any profession, but we chronicle those changes in this article.
Periodization (Planning) is a key component for coaches. Two articles, same topic, different insights… we hope that you pick up another idea or two. Dave Shrock’s approach the topic with Training Design: A Road Map to Success while Mike and Meg Stone with our own Bill Sands talks about cycling and stages showing a variety of ways to play with intensity and volume.
Krista Austin continues with the second article in a three part series about Rate of Perceived Exertion, Heart Rate and Lactate Training. This article focuses on the practical application of the concepts of Heart Rate Training.
Cheryl Coker of New Mexico State University provided us with a great article on Feedback Traps and how to avoid them.
I would like to take a moment to thank, Sarah Smith, USOC Biomechanist. Sarah has announced her retirement after 22 years of supporting America’s athletes and coaches. We will miss her and her talents, but her contribution to the Olympic movement will always be with us. Thanks, Sarah.
We hope that you and your athletes will have a great 2008.
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