October/November 2019 - 30

STRENGTH COACHES ROUNDTABLE
keep track of sleep, nutrition, stress and injuries. That's really
starting to get the kids to think about what
they're doing
outside of the program, and how those factors play a major
role in their development.
Dietz: Not directly to the data. I think it's important on
the delivery and the coach educational process to teach them
what the numbers mean.
Clark: Yes. Our wellness questions are important to us. The
primary goal of our daily wellness questionnaires is not for
us to track the athletes' information as coaches. We want to
connect the athlete to their daily choices to performance -
inside the classroom, and out on the field.
Have you encountered any obstacles/difficulties with
using data, or is there any caution you would give to
other strength coaches who are beginning to use it in
their programs?
Caralla: Just be careful how you use the data. Sometimes
you use it for effort only, but just remember to consider the
harder they work, the harder they need to recover to repeat
that same effort the next day.
Johnson: We built a great new facility within the last three
years, and the Wi-Fi is not very good. That makes it hard
to utilize. The other thing is money. It costs money to do
this, and we had to outfit our room with equipment before we
could start spending money on these technologies.
Dietz: No. just make sure all of your devices are approved
by your organization in regards to HIPPA.
Clark: Start small and perfect your collection and usage
methods before going to another layer of data collection. You
also want to make sure the juice is worth the squeeze. Make
sure you're collecting data to support the choices that matter. I
wouldn't suggest collecting data for the sake of collecting data.
If I'm a strength coach at any level who wants to make
my program more data-based, what advice would you
give me?
Caralla: Track your percentages in the weight room. Track
your volume during your conditioning. Give the kids a great
chance by making the conditioning workload similar
to
the practice workload they will soon experience. Monitor
progressions and de-loads throughout the month. Don't make
drastic spikes in workload, and be careful with your players.
Johnson: I would suggest, as with most everything, to
use technology as a tool to make what you already do
more efficient. I would not suggest using data just because
the coach across town is doing it. Establish your why
of using data prior to just signing up and compromising
your program for the sake of being able to tell parents,
athletes and coaches that you're using it because all the
good programs are using it. And, if you do start collecting
data and using it, you had better understand how to use
whatever system you choose.
Dietz: Use your money wisely, visit people who may have
various technologies, and truly see if they're using it. You
would hate to invest in something that sounds cool but you
have no ability and capacity to completely test. My No. 1 go
to is timing gates to see how fast my athletes are progressing.
Clark: Figure out what data is most beneficial
program and start there. n
to your
Collect. Analyze. Compare.
Trusted by the best coaches, educators,
and clinicians worldwide since 2005
30 T&C OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019
WWW.ACCUPOWERSOLUTIONS.COM
TRAINING-CONDITIONING.COM
http://WWW.ACCUPOWERSOLUTIONS.COM http://www.TRAINING-CONDITIONING.COM
October/November 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October/November 2019
