Coach ,

Track and Field coaches are often challenged with organizing training for multiple event groups and balancing the neuromuscular demands of the activities chosen for these groups. Without knowing many coaches, including a younger version of myself, fail to properly assess and apply the neuromuscular demands of different stressors throughout the annual training calendar.

We often plan a recovery day but then include exercises, activities, or workouts that don’t align with our recovery intentions.

What are the key components when grouping activities based on neuromuscular demand? Kebba Tolbert recently discussed how he groups his activities and the specific application to different track and field events. 

Link: Grouping by Neuromuscular Demand

I love the way Coach Tolbert simplifies his “Hard Hit” philosophy when organizing his training. He stresses the importance of avoiding mixing neuromuscular and general components in a single session or day. 

Link: Hard Hit Philosophy

To help pinpoint specific applications Coach Tolbert explains additional considerations beyond the neuromuscular demands when planning practice sessions. Compatibility and similarity of a variety of aspects helps coaches group exercises, volumes, and intensity for a given day. 

Link: Grouping Considerations for The Session

Contrasting sessions is the simple recipe to promote the adaptations you seek in your athletes. For example, the excessive density of high neural demand days will compromise the athlete’s central nervous system (CNS). Where an inadequate number of high-intensity days will not produce the desired adaptations. Rest and Restoration is unique to the session and specific applications. 

Link: Contrasting Sessions

Simplify planning of training in your program by first understanding the neuromuscular demands and the impact each activity has on the athlete. Then appropriately applying rest and regeneration without muddying the hard-hit signal delivered to the nervous system of the athlete. I’ve learned a ton from Coach Kebba Tolbert and hope this helps guide you this season! 

Always be growing,

Coach Rathke and the T&F Community of Coaches helping Coaches