Coaching The Female Thrower

With a Focus in: The High School Shot and Discus

By Sean Denard, North Central College Throws Coach

OVER VIEW

• Philosophy• Organization• Perceiving the Female Thrower• Psychology• Coaching Cues• Discus Technique• Shot Technique• Weight Room Exercises• Key Lifts

PHILOSOPHY

• Discover Purpose from your athletes regarding their membership with the team

• Understand relativity of success Internal vs External• Create an Environment for the opportunity of success• Establish Directive of Constructive Behavior• Recognize disposition: Tasks vs Relationships• Implement periods of Communication & Broadcasting• Explain reasons for actions

Leave Them Unsatisfied

ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION

• Group Size• Event Group Size may range from a few to 50 athletes

• Sub Groups of 4-8 yield best productivity• Athletes will naturally divide into subset groups

• Talent• Social

• Observe this migration but also interact keeping certain athletes together or separate for constructive purposes

• Groups should predicate on:1. Proven Talent2. Work Ethic3. Chemistry4. Potential Talent5. Strength6. Age

ORGANIZATION

• Practicing Boys and Girls Together VS Separate• PROS:

• Group Best Throwers Together• Group Complimentary Throwers Together

• Breaks Down Barriers• CONS:

• May Draw Attention to Differential Coaching Styles• Distractions

• Finding Space to Drill/Throw• Hallways• Parking Lots• Track• Side Walks• Drive Ways

• Weight Room• Athletes should share time but not racks unless strength levels are close• Rotate and Split into groups of Throwing, Lifting, Drilling, Additional Exercises

• Implements • Make sure your athletes have the proper tools to be successful.

PERCEIVING THE FEMALE THROWER

• Males and Females Operate Within Different Parameter of Athleticism • Stereotypically Males are Viewed as Better Athletes Than Females• Some Females are Better Athletes Than Males

• More Frequent in Lower Levels of Competition Such as High School Athletics• Not as Prevalent in Elite Settings

• At Pinnacle of Sport Athleticism Greater Separations Occur Regarding Approaches to Coaching Genders • At High School Level this Separation is Little to Not Existent:

• Coaching the Male and Female should be near identical approach

• Female Throwers Need to Be Pushed • Integrate Like Throwers with Like Throwers

Integrate Top Females with Top MalesIntegrate Middle Females with Middle Malesetc

KEY CHARACTERISTCS

MALE• Task Orientated• High Level of Strength• Authoritarian Sports

History Results in High Level of Coachability

FEMALE• Relationship Orientated• High Level of Body

Awareness• Adhocracy History

Results in High Level of Communication

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• American Disposition Towards Strength and Weight Room Exercises Allows Easy Misinterpretation of Female Capabilities

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• When Appraising Throwers:• Keep Your Eyes in The Ring• Be Aware of Adherence to Practice Plan• Allow Grace Period

PSYCHOLOGICAL KEYS

MALE• Want to Feel like they are

‘the best’• Wants to believe Coach

has best program to make them ‘the best’

• Prone to more exhibits of being devoid of emotions

FEMALE• Want to Feel like they are

‘good’• Want to believe Coach

thinks they are or can be ‘good’

• Prone to more exhibits of emotions

COACHING CUES

COACHING CUES

• Certain Athletes Need to Be Treated Different Ways DO NOT LIMIT THIS DISTINCTION TO GENDER• Coach to their PERSONALITY• Consider Background of Athlete• Family• Heritage• Motivation• Ability

COACHING CUES

• More Often in Coach Denard’s Personal Experience His Female Athletes Have Needed Greater, More Constant Positive Reinforcement Than His Male Athletes• Male Athletes Have Many Similar Thought Processes,

However, Culture Has Taught Them to Internalize Moments• COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL in Building

Relationships That Will Help Athletes Construct Positive Self-Awareness

#1 KEY FOR COACHING FEMALE THROWERS

• Allow for Strong, Authentic Relationship Between Yourself and Your Athletes.• Communication• Ownership• Responsibility• Entrepreneurship

DISCUS TECH

DISCUS TECHNIQUE

• KEY POINTS:• Body Awareness• Young Females May Have Greater BA Than Males

• Comfortability • Young Males May Have Great Comfort With Their Bodies

Than Females • Confidence• Female Lack of Confidence May Root In Body Comfortability• Male Lack of Confidence May Root In Body Awareness

DISCUS TECHNIQUE

• KEY POINTS:• The 1K is not the 1.6K or the 2K• Accelerate Discus Around Body in Entry• Blocking in Final

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeKaFNVR9UU

SHOT TECH

SHOT PUT TECH

• Glide is Queen• Spin is option if matches athletes mind/level of athleticism

• Transfer to Block• Straight Line

• FLICK• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soGmSXFO7wI

WEIGHT ROOM

• KEY POINTS:• Acceleration is key• Strength is second• Safety in lifting

• Understand correlation of 4/1K as compared to 5/7/2K

KEY LIFTS

• Squats• Good Mornings

• Clean• Snatch• Jerk• Bench

• Twists

North Central College Throws Camp

Contact Head Throws Coach, Sean Denard @

630-294-2466Or

sgdenard@noctrl.edu

Shot Put, Discus, Hammer Camps in June and July