Folks,

I’m not sure who said it, or even if it is a quote; nevertheless, it’s one of my favourite lines: “What we think is the problem, that’s the problem.”

If you are not sure what the via negativa approach to problem solving is, it’s this: rather than look to add a solution to a problem, take something away and see what happens. For example, don’t lean into blueberries as a super food that will change your life; instead, stop smoking or reduce processed foods. 

Research tells us that simple neuromuscular training can reduce the incidence of knee and ankle injuries among female athletes. Evidence-based programs exist that reduce ACL injuries by 50-80%. The challenge is getting coaches to use them consistently.

Now the focus is on thinking we have an execution problem since 50% of high school coaches are aware of injury prevention programs, yet only 1 in 5 use them, and fewer than 10% use them as designed.

I’m sure you can see how we got here.  

It’s not to say that neuromuscular programs are no good, or that coach education isn’t important, but equally, can we be sure that spending our time looking at why coaches don’t deliver knee-saving training programs is the best way forward? Are we looking at a problem that has been caused by the system itself? If so, we are treating the effect (symptoms), not the cause. 

Another way of looking at it is this: If exercises as basic as lunges, single-leg hops, and landing drills reduce ACL injuries by 50-80%, it reveals that athleticism is underdeveloped. Removing systemic factors that restrict unstructured play, where jumping, landing, and stop-start braking movements are commonplace, should be considered first.

As a parent of two teenage girls, would I consider adding additional training? Yes.

Would I add in coach education to address an execution problem? Not before thinking about what we could take away first.

Perhaps this ACL injury example offers us a reminder that the compliance trap, this idea that people are not doing what they should do, is a systems problem, not a people problem. 

What’s your takeaway this week? I’d love to know?

Simon