Compass Coaching Model

Quote "A compass is only good to a lost person who trusts that it is sending them in the right direction" - unknown

Why do people who have a compass get lost? Rational thinking would suggest that these people have prepared themselves by invoking the knowledge of how to use a compass yet fail to believe that the information it is providing them is actually true.

As athletes, we often find it very hard to trust the training that our coaches provide for us. We forget about all the factors that affect our overall performance. We lose sight of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely) long and short term goals. We stray from the structure and organized plan and begin to do to much. We listen to others talk about how hard they are working, how many kilometers they are doing, and what power outputs they are achieving. We forget that each of us have a variety of different goals we are working toward.

The compass coaching model:

I like to think of a coach as a compass type device (still a person no less). A compass helps you find your current position and the direction you would like to go in and consequently keep you true to it. However, you still need to decide to use the compass and trust that it will get you safely to your destination.

Think about how you might use a compass. You stop find true north, take a bearing, and move in the direction you want to go in. Would you continue without checking those bearings? Probably not. You would have a direction. You would probably check moving in the right direction multiple times. You would also need to trust that the compass is providing you with the right information. The later of these being the most important.

This is also true for athletes. It is not only important for the athlete to understand how to use the coach to better guide their training. But also trust that the direction the training is moving will help him/her to reach the desired destination. Constant feedback is so important in maintaining a true direction and help move the athlete in the right direction.

So that goes without saying. If your lost in your training and need direction. Hire a professional who can help guide you toward your goals. Be inspired and motivated that you have the tools to help move you in the right direction. Finally, trust that your coaches training program will help you reach your long and short term goals.


Happy Training,

Coach Schiller