ph: (804) 673-5690
Local Staff Contacts
Virginia
5540 Falmouth Street, Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Richmond, VA 23230
New Coach Orientation
Team In Training New Coaches Orientation Outline
Welcome!
- One of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have!
Who Joins Team In Training?
- Most participants are female
- Most participants are first time endurance athletes
- Many participants are intimidated by the training or the fundraising or both!
Responsibilities Overview
Pre-Season
- Recruiting/Info Meeting role
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Coordinate with staff; highly encouraged!!o
Attendance at info meetings best way to meet participants; explain training program benefits; answer pre-season questions; allay training concerns & misconceptions early on; e.g. "I know you can do this because I have seen so many before you do this who were at your same fitness level!"o
A one page info sheet with a brief bio for yourself and an overview of your training program is helpful; can be given out in person or e-mailed at first contact- Communication
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Absolutely essential to make contact early!o
In person at info meeting best; phone call next best; e-mail third best!o
If e-mailing, make it personal for first contact ? not a shotgun message (e.g. "Hi Karen! This is Coach Joe checking in?" vice "Hey Team! This is Coach Joe checking in?"). Group e-mails are fine for weekly updates as the season progresses.o
Let the participant tell you how best to contact them!o
Let participants know early where and when first training will be conducted!- Assessing fitness level
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3 very basic levels: beginner/intermediate/advancedo
Questionnaire helpful in determining current fitness level§
Handed out in person at info meeting§
Sent as attachment to first contact e-mailo
If in doubt (e.g. between beginner/intermediate), start with the lower level!- Getting schedules to participants
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Electronic means best; either as word or excel documento
Snail mail to anyone with no or unreliable e-mailo
Consider including a schedule explanation sheet which covers the basics of training (e.g. definitions of "tempo," "pace line," "transition area," etc.)
- Ensure you have your first training plan thought out:
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Do you have an assistant coach or training captain? If so, what roles do you assign for each?§
who will lead the group?§
who will be with/check on the last participant?o
If you do not have help, how will you check on each person?§
Back & forth from front to back of pack?§
Signs on path/course to ensure everyone knows where they are going?o
How will your water stops be set-up/manned?§
Comply with contract requirements for number/spacing§
Asst. coach/training capt./mentor man?§
Pre-position fluids day/night before?§
Volunteers at each stop?If you are unsure how to do any of this, ask the staff or fellow coaches for help!
Getting Started at Training
- Make everyone feel welcome at first group training, especially beginners. Many will be intimidated & self conscious around "real athletes"
- Make sure you have a sign-in sheet; explain its use and remind everyone to sign in & out!
- Introduce asst. coaches, training captains, mentors; have participants introduce themselves and encourage them to share their story if they?d like
- Take as much time as you need to explain the route & procedures. No such thing as a dumb question!
- Don?t forget the mission moment!!
- Concentrate on the most shy, timid, and self conscious. Constantly reassure them they can do this! Monitor them closely early in the workout to make sure they aren?t doing too much too soon. Be available when they finish to answer their questions/calm their nerves! In other words, give them LOTS of attention to increase the chances that they feel good about their training experience and their acceptance as TNT endurance athletes!
Continuing Communication
- Follow up after each training session with anyone who has difficulties or questions
- Communicate with the whole team weekly to publish training location/route and to pass along appropriate training tips (e-mail, blog, web site, facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Continue to attempt contact via phone or e-mail anyone who does not come to training; fine line between concern and harassment :^)
Miscellaneous topics:
- Clinics. Coordinate early with staff on number and types of training-related clinics. Assist staff by either conducting the clinic yourself if you have the expertise, or finding experts willing to donate their time. Your presence at each clinic is important!
- Personal training goals. It is difficult if not impossible to do your own training in conjunction with group training. Participants have to have absolute first priority on group training days!
