MESSAGE FROM THE USOC'S DIRECTOR OF COACHING AND SPORT SCIENCES
By Peter Davis, Ph.D

This issue of Olympic Coach magazine was a challenging one. We took one topic—Periodization. We gave that topic to three experts and let them tell us what coaches needed to know. The first article is by Tudor Bompa. For those coaches familiar with Periodization, this is one of the most recognized voices in the field in the United States. He took a subject that he is intimate with and brought it down to a very simple and concise article. I am sure this was a difficult task for a person with his knowledge base, but his article will be one that any coach will enjoy reading.

Vern Gambetta has been a conditioning coach for Major League Soccer and is now serving as Director of Athletic Development for the NY Mets. Vern also has an immense background in track & field. He provides a different twist on our topic. His concern, about the lack of physical education and its effect on the lack of coaches with physical education background, is another voice of alarm and concern for those of us involved in Coaches Education.

Our third expert is Steven Plisk. Steven is a former strength coach at Yale, University of Memphis, James Madison University and the USOC. He has written extensively about Periodization and is heavily involved in the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is now involved in the Velocity Sports Performance group. He provides us with a nice blend of research and practical usage of Periodization.

Fitting with the theme is a review of an excellent article by Inigo Mujika and Sabino Padilla, entitled “Scientific Bases for Precompetition Tapering Strategies”. You will find the information invaluable to developing your own tapering strategies. The breadth of references reviewed in the writing of the article makes it well worth finding a copy.

Kirsten Peterson has an excellent article based on the book “First, Break all the Rules”. She has taken the valued lessons that can be used by coaches to help their athletes and themselves. I think you will find this article provocative.