Coaching Model

I think many people are confusing personal training with coaching. The coaching model is clearly directed toward achievement of improved athletic performance. In coaching there is a long term plan and a commitment to execute the performance objectives inherent in the plan. Coaching implies a long term commitment to the athlete or the team. It also demands accountability more than showing up for the workout. This accountability is a must for the coach and the athlete.

Personal training is not coaching. Much of the time it is oriented toward appearance and improvement of general conditioning. There is not a long term commitment or a need for or an understanding of the big picture. You coach people to get better. Anyone can train, but does the training have a specific performance goal and a purpose. Is it a means to an end or is it an end in itself?There must be a clear relationship leading toward specific perfromance objectives.

Why does it matter? Because coaching is special. It demands a broad skill set and a wide experience base in order to achieve the desired performance objectives.

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Vern Gambetta

Director at Gambetta Sports Training Systems

Vern is the Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. He has been the a conditioning coach for several MLS teams as well as the conditioning consultant to the US Men's World Cup Soccer team. Vern is the former Director of Conditioning for the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets. He has lectured and conducted clinics in Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe and has authored six books and over one hundred articles related to coaching and sport performance in a variety of sports. He has a BA in teaching with a coaching minor and an MA in Education with an emphasis in physical education from Stanford University.