I’ve been doing a lot of research and have come to the conclusion that our coach doesnt have us do workouts that are really beneficial to our sprinting. for example, most day consist of us running 200+ meters, and we rarely, if ever, do anything under 100 meters (so basically in practice we never reach our top speed). As you could imagine, we dont improve much as a team and get injured relatively often when going full speed in meets. my question is: should i do my own workouts after practice is over? if so, what should i do. any input is appreciated, thanks?
I was in a similar situation and here is my experience. I added some weight lifting (before practices) which really seemed to help my acceleration abilities. I would get beaten by everyone in practice when running 200s @80% seemingly every day but when I tapered the weights for major meets the tables turned in a major way.
Is it possible that you are in a GPP phase? After all, it is November. Ask your coach (correctly and respectfully), if you could incoorporate block work/ acceleration.
It drives me crazy when hs kids think they know more than the coach because the “read up on it”. What i do like though is when a kid comes to me with a passion to get better, repeatedly, and asks if he can try something new or asks how they can mix it in with what we are currently doing.
Agree, obviously there are good and bad coaches, but reading up. I have been reading up for about 6 years now and all I have learned is that I need to learn a lot more.
Obviously the coach is doing what he thinks is best, if not he wouldnt do it.
I would say if you have an issue, maybe talk to the coach after and ask him why he does a,b,c or say that you think d might help and ask the coach what he thinks.
Discussion is the best avenue, dont go behind the coach. Anyhow going above and beyond the 200s or whatever might just lead to injury. I mean if people are already getting injured, how is adding more to it going to help?
This is often the case - you just don’t realise the ideas some have had. At a recent conference a top coach divulged to me that instead of doing a taper in the final 10 days he INCREASED the loading! I couldn’t believe it but it was what he felt worked best in his experience of 30 years!