Storm
As a coach and as a parent I think I could point out a few things to you.
My single target as a parent is to ensure I have healthy and happy children while I will derive immense satisfaction by witnessing my children superseding everything I have achieved in life. However if they do not, be it academically or otherwise, I can freely say I have failed as a parent.
The same principle applies to me as a coach in my coaching relationship with my athletes.
Now, if I am not to thoroughly analyse all the options/methods/systems to hand, and only focus on the methods I have experienced to date, I will stagnate as a coach and as a direct consequence my athletes will equally be stuck with their progress.
Therefore, if I was to apply the methods of a gentleman from a bygone era who experimented with certain types of drills, and then preach to others that these methods are so bloody advanced just because a limited number of people who followed these basic exercises, in a planned and disciplined way, have achieved rather average results within a smaller community, without continuously updating, tweaking and adjusting them to a better system - I am destined not to supersede this person.
This is like saying that Einstein’s theory has been formulated by him and is set in stone NEVER to change or be questioned just because “I” happen to be mentored by him and I think of him as a bloody genius.
There is nothing wrong to critique a theory, a method, a system. It is not a sacrilege if one opposes a system in attempt to point out flaws while trying to improve it for the benefit of the sport.
It would be absurd not to do it but to follow it just because one has trained under such a system and because of respect that one has towards another.
As I said previously, I do not care which system I use, or a number of systems as long as these systems work, as long as I as a coach progress, and as long as my athletes keep on improving daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.
In my attempt, I have not personally attacked JB but questioned HIS SYSTEM that not many seem to know much about - apart from - “6 sets of 3’ mate”! Not one of you “defenders” of the great Australian pro coach has pointed out to me how JB worked on speed development, which particular areas he addressed, which areas could have been improved basing this improvement on the knowledge of TODAY. Not one answered my questions directly related to this “method”.
All of this is telling me that not many dare to question “an icon” and rather believe those that did not have capacity or will to improve this system while being embedded in “old ways” because of too much respect towards “the creator”.
Respect towards a person is good but systems are not to be respected but USED and improved.
Would we have electricity today in every house if it was not for those who dared to take it onto a higher and more advanced level? Well, a lamp was providing enough light in the 19th century, why not to stick with it?
Finally, if JB was someone who had access to scientific facilities, and who based his 6x3min. method on science rather than trial and error during this pioneering period in athletics, and if that particular aspect of his training had anything to do with speed development in sprinting I would gladly dedicate 18min. of my time to try it out.
Storm, if I had attitude of some who replied to me in this thread I would have already asked you - how dare you to question my judgment and opinion on this system! You are only an athlete without coaching experience or skills! These are the matters to be discussed among coaches ONLY while you kids and athletes are to observe in admiration and silence while adults are discussing . Imagine if I was acting like that?
I have also left the training plan I have created while borrowing from a number of systems including Charlie’s. I see no one has dared to question that plan. Is it because I have used Charlie’s methods in speed development so you do not dare to critique it?
Cheeky me 