Track & Field Coach's Planning Guide for Success

with Ken Harnden,
Florida State University Assistant Coach (Sprints);
2005 NCAA National Assistant Coach of the Year (Sprints)

Coach Harnden begins with the pre-competitive phase of coaching sprinters. The first six weeks deal with general conditioning, including hills, cardio and plyometrics. The workout week is broken down day-by-day with specific drills and exercises. The second phase of pre-competitive work is based on weight training, technique and speed work. The competitive period starts in January. The training schedule should work backwards from the major competitions. Harnden believes in race simulation in the 200 and 300 events. The Championship cycle is the outdoor season broken down into two periods that builds up to the final meet. Weight lifting is an important component for training the complete athlete. Harnden presents his philosophy on how weights can enhance strength and a base for your athletes. He includes a comprehensive movement warm-up plan that is broken down into four parts: jogging 800 meters, hurdle drills, active warm-ups and a stride session. Harnden also covers drills, sprinting technique, a cool down program and goal setting.

65 minutes. 2007.

with Corey Ihmels, Iowa State University Director of Men's and Women's Track and Cross Country;
2X All-American (Cross Country) and 4X All-American (Track) at Iowa State

Coach Ihmels begins by outlining the seven key training components for distance runners. These keys are: High level of lactic threshold, use of general conditioning runs, correct use of recovery days, endurance and stamina, development of maximum oxygen uptake, development of every-specific and aerobic power and lactic acid tolerance and basic 100 and 400 meter speed. Ihmels also shares five keys to the strength and power routine. Within this program, drill emphasis includes dynamic stretching, running drills, hurdle flexibility, bounding and balance. Strength training for distance runner should include full range of motion and stabilizers. Planning encompasses five parts: Pre-cross country phase, cross-country racing phase, pre-trace phase, track specific phase and the competition phase. Ihmels breaks down each phase into practical steps. He also touches on the little things that are important to coach distance athletes including nutrition, stretching, sleep and water. He concludes with 21 warm-up drills that are crucial for preparation for distance athletes.

39 minutes. 2007.

with Gary Winckler,
University of Illinois Women's Track Coach;
2X NCAA Champions (indoor and outdoor);
3X NCAA Coach of the Year

Coach Winckler applies his expertise to the area of program organization for your hurdlers. This process starts by identifying your training tasks and objectives. In a high school or middle school environment, Winckler believes it is important to identify groups of athletes that work well together. The training year consists of a general (4-8 weeks), specific (2-4 weeks) and competition phase (through the end of the season). General fitness, strength and endurance are the objectives of the general period. The specific preparation phase should focus on technique, speed and special endurance. Technical activities are performed when the athlete is fresh and learns at a higher level. Five segments of the workout session include the warm-up, technical aspects, power, strength and cool down. Winckler then takes the weekly training period and details each day of the week and the activities each day. Planning starts with training menus, which comprise all of the drills and exercises that will be used during the season. In addition, Winckler uses athletes to demonstrate the warm-up exercise program.

58 minutes. 2007.

with Jim VanHootegem,
Texas A & M Assistant Coach (Jumps);
Mondo Regional Assistant Coach of the Year

Systematic training is an overall key to success for Coach VanHootegem. Benefits of developing a system are instilling a standard of performance through your system. This is a key tool for coaching and de-personalizes the criticism that athletes receive. Their performance is always compared to the standard of performance and not the coach's bias. Athletes will buy in to the system because it has been proven to be successful with past athletes. Past successes with this program enable current athletes to completely buy into the system.VanHootegen's multi-system approach also includes event training and commonality training. The yearly plan is divided into three periods: the general prep phase, specific prep phase and the championship phase. Each of these periods is broken down month-by-month and activity-by-activity. The off-season period is important because athletes need a physical and emotional break. Other areas presented include raining running cycles, the weekly plan, training template, warm-up exercises and rest and recovery. This DVD concludes with an impressive array of 60 different warm-up exercises for jumpers!

66 minutes. 2007.

with John Frazier,
University of Tennessee Throws Coach;
2007 U.S. World Championship coaching staff;
2005 USTCA National and West Region Assistant Coach of the Year for Throws (Arizona)

Coach Frazier details seasonal planning and workout construction. Each month of the year consists of different workout phases. Starting in January, the pre-competitive phase leads to the competitive phase, and into the championship season. Frazier emphasizes the legs as the most important part of throwing. In the pre-season, cardio and sprint program is used 2-3 times a week, as well as throwing drills. In March and April, the competitive phase takes place. Mental training is accomplished through mini competitions and are a great way to simulate real events. Phase 3 takes place in May and June, which is the championship season. Sleep and eating habits are crucial during this phase. The fourth phase is in July and August, the off-season. September and October make up the fifth phase. Phase 6 in November and December is a time to begin preparation for the January period. In addition, Frazier uses athletes to demonstrate 17 drills that make up a solid warm-up routine and lead to successful throwing.

38 minutes. 2007.

See all the items in this series!

• Coaching Sprinters: Planning Guide for Success
• Coaching Distance Runners: Planning Guide for Success
• Coaching Hurdlers: Planning Guide for Success
• Coaching Jumpers: Planning Guide For Success
• Coaching Throwers: Planning Guide for Success