EXPECTATIONS & DREAMS #6 b
MOBILITY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.
Training and exercising can be enjoyed for the good of all involved. On that note, it is often overdone as well. The fun & enjoy factors are slowly turning into a kind of addiction to exercise. Too much time, money and attention is spent on exercising. That applies to adults and children as well. Children are pushed and forced into a form of too much is expected from them. A common flaw in athletics is that the Mentor ( parent, teacher, trainer, coach etc.) seem to want the success of the child more out of self interest and recognition as a mentor than foremost out of being interested in the success of the child at the expense of the child. Mentors in that case want the spotlight and attention directed at them. The child’s performance and success puts them in a good light and possible increase in recognition. The child becomes disconnected from the conversation. Mentors know it all and all the time better than the athlete. That appears to be a perception and is just that; a perception that is chiseled in the mentor’s mind.
Fortunately, this seems to be, in most instances that I have encountered over the years, an exception to the rule. How fortunate that there are numerous real professional mentors, trainers and coaches working tirelessly in the interest of the youth of the world. What a joy it is to watch volunteer mentors who sacrifice time and effort to keep youngsters active in the many forms of athletics and how popular and respected they are because of it. It becomes all about the children and athletes. Professional mentors as well as the volunteer mentors and coaches are well aware that there is not a single Pro who made the champion. Reality shows that there is a team, a joint effort, at work on behalf of the athlete. The parent (s) is (are) the anchor and very necessary support that is well recognized and appreciated by the majority of the pros, coaches and mentors. In many cases important factors like sponsors, friends & other interested entities are a welcome additional support of the athlete (s).
Here are some pointers for all involved, including the participants in the arena:
ALL athletic activities and successes are based on the ability to move efficiently. In my many years in athletics, I am convinced that the following principle when understood & applied will assist all involved. For starters: “You cannot change direction unless you are moving”. Cannot become quicker, faster, stronger & agile, unless you improve on a platform of mobility first. Keep in mind that mobility varies with the applicable form of athletics. For instance; a 100 meter runner has to get out of the blocks quicker and faster than a long distance runner. Once the rubber meets the road, it becomes a matter of a combined individual or team effort of , physical, mental, emotional factors. That chemistry and “click” is the glue that holds it all together, It synchronizes all efforts. It needs to be worked with, improved upon and prioritized. That is where the pro and mentor enters the picture and strictly works with a decided plan, format and program. I have experienced some, in my words, extreme coaching. Pros and Mentors who presented themselves as brutal tormentors. I have to admit that in some cases that approach worked. On that note, most pros and mentors expect a high degree of commitment and performance from athletes. Then again, most mentors who deal with the majority of children in athletics who do not aspire to be champions and participate for the fun of it, base their approach on a way that I prefer and used with all athletes:
Teach, guide & accompany the individual with his/her attributes, talents and abilities in mind. Patience make that glorious moment of a victory, achievement, a goal reached, a momentary victory over self, much more enjoyable for all parties involved. Often I wished that every child developed at the same speed and there would never be someone left behind that needed time & effort to catch up. Then, every child would accomplish success at the same moment. However, there is no such thing. Because there are fast starters, quick minds and incredibly enthusiastic individuals who lead the slower , less athletic children who carefully watch and observe before they get into action. On that note I have experienced the slow starters eventually catching up and overtake the quick starters somewhere along the way. All need encouragement measured and applied in different ways that are customized to the individual needs.
The art & skill for the Pro and mentor is to recognize that small window of opportunity that good advise turns into improved performance. Great advise given at the wrong time and moment will fall completely flat and in many cases has an adverse effect on the individual. For instance, to inform an athlete to get it’s act together at the wrong moment, potentially will result in a negative emotional response. My observations watching successful and accomplished Pros as well as dedicated volunteer Mentors, taught me that all of them based their approach on the Character, Personality and Equipment ( attributes ) of individuals above and beyond approaching a group on, in my words, generic approach of one fits all. What I have always used was my Format when an individual was introduced and trusted with me. As soon as I started working with each individual on a personalized, customized approach I recognized and answered according to the 3 stages of the child: 1. I don’t know what to, what I am doing and how to do. 2. I can do it. 3. I am going to explore and find where my limitations are. That’s exactly at the basis of the 3Skatter Format of introducing mobility as a basis to gravitate to athletics. Check it out on my website; www.3skatter-pe.com
Many times I have Pros and Mentors state: She has the moves of her Mom. He has the tenacity of his Dad. She has the competitive spirit of her brother. He’s like his older sister, he’s just not into competing. Attributes, attitudes and enthusiasm are often passed on to next generations, friends. I know for a fact that a child will be impressed or fascinated by a role model or an event like the Olympics, will turn into a desire to start in athletics. By the way, I consider the individual dance performances as a form of athletics accompanied by music. I would like to see that being included in future Olympics.
Henri Charles (Hans) Schmid
MOBILITY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.
Training and exercising can be enjoyed for the good of all involved. On that note, it is often overdone as well. The fun & enjoy factors are slowly turning into a kind of addiction to exercise. Too much time, money and attention is spent on exercising. That applies to adults and children as well. Children are pushed and forced into a form of too much is expected from them. A common flaw in athletics is that the Mentor ( parent, teacher, trainer, coach etc.) seem to want the success of the child more out of self interest and recognition as a mentor than foremost out of being interested in the success of the child at the expense of the child. Mentors in that case want the spotlight and attention directed at them. The child’s performance and success puts them in a good light and possible increase in recognition. The child becomes disconnected from the conversation. Mentors know it all and all the time better than the athlete. That appears to be a perception and is just that; a perception that is chiseled in the mentor’s mind.
Fortunately, this seems to be, in most instances that I have encountered over the years, an exception to the rule. How fortunate that there are numerous real professional mentors, trainers and coaches working tirelessly in the interest of the youth of the world. What a joy it is to watch volunteer mentors who sacrifice time and effort to keep youngsters active in the many forms of athletics and how popular and respected they are because of it. It becomes all about the children and athletes. Professional mentors as well as the volunteer mentors and coaches are well aware that there is not a single Pro who made the champion. Reality shows that there is a team, a joint effort, at work on behalf of the athlete. The parent (s) is (are) the anchor and very necessary support that is well recognized and appreciated by the majority of the pros, coaches and mentors. In many cases important factors like sponsors, friends & other interested entities are a welcome additional support of the athlete (s).
Here are some pointers for all involved, including the participants in the arena:
ALL athletic activities and successes are based on the ability to move efficiently. In my many years in athletics, I am convinced that the following principle when understood & applied will assist all involved. For starters: “You cannot change direction unless you are moving”. Cannot become quicker, faster, stronger & agile, unless you improve on a platform of mobility first. Keep in mind that mobility varies with the applicable form of athletics. For instance; a 100 meter runner has to get out of the blocks quicker and faster than a long distance runner. Once the rubber meets the road, it becomes a matter of a combined individual or team effort of , physical, mental, emotional factors. That chemistry and “click” is the glue that holds it all together, It synchronizes all efforts. It needs to be worked with, improved upon and prioritized. That is where the pro and mentor enters the picture and strictly works with a decided plan, format and program. I have experienced some, in my words, extreme coaching. Pros and Mentors who presented themselves as brutal tormentors. I have to admit that in some cases that approach worked. On that note, most pros and mentors expect a high degree of commitment and performance from athletes. Then again, most mentors who deal with the majority of children in athletics who do not aspire to be champions and participate for the fun of it, base their approach on a way that I prefer and used with all athletes:
Teach, guide & accompany the individual with his/her attributes, talents and abilities in mind. Patience make that glorious moment of a victory, achievement, a goal reached, a momentary victory over self, much more enjoyable for all parties involved. Often I wished that every child developed at the same speed and there would never be someone left behind that needed time & effort to catch up. Then, every child would accomplish success at the same moment. However, there is no such thing. Because there are fast starters, quick minds and incredibly enthusiastic individuals who lead the slower , less athletic children who carefully watch and observe before they get into action. On that note I have experienced the slow starters eventually catching up and overtake the quick starters somewhere along the way. All need encouragement measured and applied in different ways that are customized to the individual needs.
The art & skill for the Pro and mentor is to recognize that small window of opportunity that good advise turns into improved performance. Great advise given at the wrong time and moment will fall completely flat and in many cases has an adverse effect on the individual. For instance, to inform an athlete to get it’s act together at the wrong moment, potentially will result in a negative emotional response. My observations watching successful and accomplished Pros as well as dedicated volunteer Mentors, taught me that all of them based their approach on the Character, Personality and Equipment ( attributes ) of individuals above and beyond approaching a group on, in my words, generic approach of one fits all. What I have always used was my Format when an individual was introduced and trusted with me. As soon as I started working with each individual on a personalized, customized approach I recognized and answered according to the 3 stages of the child: 1. I don’t know what to, what I am doing and how to do. 2. I can do it. 3. I am going to explore and find where my limitations are. That’s exactly at the basis of the 3Skatter Format of introducing mobility as a basis to gravitate to athletics. Check it out on my website; www.3skatter-pe.com
Many times I have Pros and Mentors state: She has the moves of her Mom. He has the tenacity of his Dad. She has the competitive spirit of her brother. He’s like his older sister, he’s just not into competing. Attributes, attitudes and enthusiasm are often passed on to next generations, friends. I know for a fact that a child will be impressed or fascinated by a role model or an event like the Olympics, will turn into a desire to start in athletics. By the way, I consider the individual dance performances as a form of athletics accompanied by music. I would like to see that being included in future Olympics.
Henri Charles (Hans) Schmid
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