Pony Express Athletic Performance

I’ve been asked to give my insights/knowledge to several area HS and I’m opening up the opportunity for others to be able to get in a group chat, per school to ask questions. Whether I work with some of your athletes or not, I’m here to give what 35 years of coaching has taught me. If you want to be involved, contact me privately because no one needs to know who I am helping. 

I soo love learning and teaching!!!

Having spent over 40 years learning the biomechanics of sports and movement, my first class in college back in 1982 was Track And Field theory and that’s when my brain realized that most of this is just not sweat equity but true science and I’ve been learning every day and will continue to !! I’ve seen my fair share of trends and approaches come and go in coaching.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is the importance of being a generalist, rather than getting lost down rabbit holes that can leave us blindsided to the bigger picture.
Today, I’ll share some brief thoughts on why this approach has served me so well:
Avoidance Of Tunnel Vision: When you zero in too much on one area, you can miss the forest for the trees. Coaching is about more than just one discipline. Being too specialized can leave you with blind spots, missing critical aspects of athlete development.
Rigidity: The sports landscape is always changing. New techniques, new science, new technologies. If you’re too specialized, you might find it hard to pivot and adapt. Flexibility and the ability to incorporate new ideas are key to staying relevant and effective.
Isolated Thinking: Coaching isn’t a solo endeavor. It requires collaboration and communication across various fields. Over-specialization can create silos, making it tough to bring together all the different pieces that contribute to an athlete’s success.
The Generalist Advantage: Drawing from over four decades of experience, here’s why being a generalist has served me well...
Comprehensive Coaching: As a generalist, I can see the big picture. I’m able to draw from various disciplines to develop well-rounded training programs that address all aspects of an athlete’s performance and well-being.
Adaptability: Change is one of the only constant in sports. Whether you're changing venues, coaching staff, coaching locations, or any other variable, we have to accept the importance of adaptability as a coach. If you're too locked in and myopic on any single field, you will likely find change a challenge.
Team Collaboration: A generalist approach fosters better collaboration. By understanding and valuing multiple perspectives, I’ve been able to create more cohesive and effective coaching strategies.
I've learnt, from the school of experience and hard knocks that embracing generalism not only makes you a more versatile coach, but also better equips you to tackle the complex challenges we face in this field of study!

Reminder for today that between 1 and 3 PM will be for multi event athletes. 

We are still in need of shot and discus officials and volunteers for this weekend🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

Please tag and share

Everyone knows I joke about fat heads and how it affects sprinting, jumping and throwing. What a great art article by one of the best knowledgeable coaches on planet, earth, Dan Phaff
explaining the head spine relationship.

 Hi Danny Butterfield,
Over the last few weeks in our ALTIS Weekly emails, we’ve been discussing the role of posture and associated concepts. Today, I’ll build on that theme by addressing the concept of the inverted pendulum, and how that impacts posture.
The Inverted Pendulum Explained
An inverted pendulum is a mechanical system where a mass is concentrated at one end of a weightless rod, pivoted at the lower end, so the mass is balanced above the pivot point. (Imagine a child's balancing toy where the base is narrow and the top is heavy.)
Our bodies contain several inverted pendulums. The most important one for athletic performance is the head-spine system. Our head acts as the heavy mass balanced on top of our spinal column, the "rod."
The head and spine function as a single unit, resembling an inverted pendulum, with the head acting as a significant portion of the total mass. On average, the human head weighs around 10 to 11 pounds (4.5 to 5 kilograms). This weight is balanced on top of the spinal column, much like a heavy mass perched at the top of a rod in an inverted pendulum.
In addition to the head-spine system, other parts of our body also function as inverted pendulums:
Lower Limbs: During single-leg stance, the leg acts as an inverted pendulum with the foot as the pivot.
Upper Limbs: The arms, when extended and moved, resemble inverted pendulums pivoting at the shoulder.
Full Body Movements: Various athletic actions require balancing the body's center of mass over the base of support, similar to managing an inverted pendulum.
Understanding the concept of inverted pendulums in our body isn't just an academic exercise—it's fundamental to improving how we train and move.
Why Head Position Matters
As an inverted pendulum, our head position significantly influences how we move and maintain balance. When the head is properly aligned over the spine, it allows for efficient distribution of forces throughout the body, facilitating smooth and coordinated movements. However, any deviation from this alignment, such as a forward head posture, can disrupt this balance.
In a forward head posture, the head's center of gravity shifts, increasing the strain on the neck and upper back muscles. This misalignment can lead to inefficient movement patterns, decreased power output, and a higher risk of injury. Conversely, maintaining a neutral head position, where the head is directly over the spine, promotes optimal balance and posture. This alignment ensures that the forces generated during movement are efficiently transferred through the body, enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury.
Imagine a baseball player swinging. A slight forward head position throws off the body's alignment, affecting swing mechanics and potentially leading to decreased power or injury. Conversely, a neutral head position stacked directly over the spine allows for optimal balance, core engagement, and efficient power transfer throughout the swing.
This principle applies to almost every sport. In running, a forward head position disrupts posture, leading to inefficient stride mechanics and wasted energy. A neutral head position promotes a more upright posture, allowing for a more efficient stride and improved running economy.

Mastering Your Head Position for Good Posture

Maintaining a neutral head position throughout movement is key. Here’s how to achieve it:
Imagine a string pulling your head directly upwards from the crown of your head. This helps elongate your spine and promotes proper alignment.
Tuck your chin slightly. This isn’t about tucking your chin to your chest, but rather a subtle inward movement that brings your head back over your spine.
Focus on keeping your ears directly over your shoulders. This ensures your head isn’t jutting forward or backward.
Practice these techniques and over time, maintaining a neutral head position will become second nature, leading to improved posture and potentially better athletic performance.

Implications

Understanding the head and spine as an inverted pendulum highlights the critical role of head position in athletic performance and everyday activities. By maintaining a neutral head position, athletes can optimize their biomechanics, improve balance, and perform more effectively.

Teaching athletes to grasp the inverted pendulum concept within your body empowers them to become a more conscious mover. Remind them that a small change in head position can have a significant impact on their entire movement signature.

If you’re struggling to get athletes to achieve optimal positions, make sure to consider the placement and dynamic movement of their head during activities. Correcting head alignment can be the key to improving overall posture and performance.

Good Morning EVERYONE I am needing help with our AAU District qualifier number 2, in Raymore Peculiar, Missouri this following Friday afternoon as well as Saturday day. We are needing officials, officials in training, volunteers, and anyone that wants to help are you in excelling!! Please message me and I will get you in the right places. You don’t have to be an expert. It’s time to start teaching and training people on rules and regulations before importantly, just how to have a great attitude around the athletes are giving it 100% all of themselves!! remember this is for the kids so no experience needed just a friendly smile and a great job goes thousand miles. If you’re affiliated with the club, there is Some money that you can achieve by working the meet. I would love to have lot of the masters athletes that I work with or would still like to be engaged in Track Meet to help.🙏❤️🙏❤️

🏇🏇🏇💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻❤️❤️❤️

Great Masters and Open Athlete opportunity!!!

Sunflower State Games – Kansas' largest sport festival Sunflower State Games Home of the best sporting events in Kansas. See Upcoming Events See Our Events Sunflower State Games The largest amateur multi-sport competition in Kansas. We welcome Kansas athletes of all ages, skills, and physical abilities to compete in more than 25 different events. Help u...

ATTENTION OL PONIES
Looking for Used jerseys to either donate or sell please let me know in the comments below of the size 

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