Fall 2023 - 32

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EDUCATION
I think the most important aspect of
training student-athletes at the Naval
Academy is education. I am not only
preparing them for their respective
sports but also for military life after
commissioning. Some of them may
even find themselves tasked with
conducting workouts for other sailors
once in the fleet, so I want them to have
an understanding of the training and why we
do what we do. Many of them have a mindset
that you need to beat yourself into the ground,
be physically fatigued as you walk out, and be
drenched in sweat in order for something to be
considered an effective workout. Shifting that
mindset and teaching them that in order to elicit
certain training effects, we have to train certain
ways; and that you are not always going to leave
a workout fatigued, but that does not mean it
was not effective. With that said, I would say our
biggest educational piece is recovery. With them
having team practices, team lifts, and then some
training for other things outside of their sport,
many do not get proper recovery or know how
to recover. I like to explain the importance of off
32 | Tactical Training & Conditioning | Fall 2023
I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WERE
CALLED HERE FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE,
FOR SERVING THEIR COUNTRY, AND
PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS.
"
days and de-load weeks. We have an amazing
nutrition department that educates them on
proper fueling pre/post practice and pre/post
competition, hydration, and general nutrition.
We also address sleep and managing stress.
As their coach, it is important for me to
remember that while I am responsible for getting
them stronger, faster, more explosive, more
mobile, and helping to prevent injury, there are
outside factors that can affect their training that
I have no control over, and sometimes it is better
to try to mitigate fatigue more than anything
else. I understand that they were called here for
a higher purpose, for serving their country, and
protecting our freedoms. Simply put, there are
some things that are more important than the
wins and losses. n
Fall 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fall 2023
