For hip-hop fans in my age bracket, ‘Things Done Changed’ was the opening track on arguably the greatest rap album of all-time – ‘Ready To Die’ by The Notorious B.I.G.
I specifically chose that title because when I look back on my coaching career, I have changed. I have grown. I have matured. I have evolved. And most importantly, I’ve gotten better. Although I thought I was a good strength & conditioning coach 5 or 10 years ago, I am confident that I am an even better coach today.
Why? I have kept an open mind to new approaches, new ideas, new techniques, new philosophies, and new methodologies over the course of my career. I have also worked on my craft every day. Literally, with the exception of my wedding day, the birth of The Born Backcourt, and a maybe a Christmas or two… I haven’t allowed a single day to go by that I didn’t do something to get better. I have always taken my development very seriously.
The other day I was reviewing some old notes (which I do every few months) and reminded myself that I have done a complete 180 on two highly debated performance enhancement topics – ankle braces and false steps. Five years ago I was an advocate of ankle braces and of eliminating the false step. Now I am the exact opposite!
I used to encourage players to wear ankle braces! Now I write blogs entitled, ‘Beware of Ankle Braces!’
Read this: http://blog.strongerteam.com/post/2011/09/13/Ankle-Braces.aspx
I used to pull my hair out trying to get players to stop taking a false step (also called a ‘negative step’ or ‘plyo step’) when reacting out of a neutral foot position (athletic stance). Now I prefer it!
Watch this (and read the exchange of comments): http://youtu.be/fgTe0ualjeU
If you watch my oldest DVDs or read my older articles, you’ll hear me speak with the same conviction I have now – even though I was taking the exact opposite position!
I don’t have any reservations in admitting my blatant philosophical change. I have never been one to think that I have all of the answers. I have never thought my program was perfect. That type of arrogance corrodes growth and extinguishes development. Like Coach John Wooden used to say, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” I view myself as a constant work in progress.
The only thing that matters to me is doing what is best for my players. I will always do everything in my power to keep them injury free and performing to the best of their ability on the court. Five years ago I truly believed thank ankle braces and eliminating the false step was the way to go.
Now I don’t.
Like Biggie said, things done changed.
BE > YESTERDAY,
Alan Stein
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