World titles coaches thoughts
Neil asked me to put some thoughts down about the worlds, I am not the greatest on putting my thoughts onto paper, so here it goes.
It was very interesting being on the other side of the fence at a world titles. Normally at world titles I have been there as a rider and that's where my focus had to be. So, when BMX Australia ask me to be there for the Academy challenge riders and to assist with the non-funded high-performance riders. I thought to myself, what a fantastic opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes and pass on my experiences that I have had. I must say there is a lot that goes on behind-the-scenes that the average BMX rider does not see. With 10 volunteers working a minimum of 10-12 hours a day for that whole week, you could say it was quite draining. I take my hat off to all those volunteers, they gave 100% every day of every hour. Our goal was to have no Australian miss their race, which was achieved.
As the challenge Academy Coach, preparation for the worlds started many months prior to the event. What went into preparation was on and off bike training. The practice session the day before racing was mainly about mindset, practicing a few other 1% items.
It was interesting to speak to some of the riders that didn't really have a plan or a system in place to help and guide through the event. There were several parents say to me “aren't you nervous for the riders?” I was a little because of the uncertainty of what the outcome would be for them. They all trained hard, mentally prepared and practiced for this event. With that in mind, I was quietly confident that they would all perform to their best on the day of the event. As a coach, all you can ask for if for them to try 100% on the day. That's all that matters. Win, lose or draw, to be proud of their efforts.
It was interesting to go to a local USA track and view quite a lot of Aussies there, practising/training. Whilst sitting in the small grandstand, just listening to the chatter of the parents and watching their children train. I noticed they were riding for too long in the 35° plus heat. This showed me, that the majority did not have a training plan, even though they all said they have a coach. I found this very interesting. Because as a coach, it’s easy to train them on a bike but that's only part of the work of a coach. A coach needs to train people not just on a bike. They need to mentally prepare and get them into a routine. They need to educate the parents on the direction their children are going so everyone is on the same page.
Watching our riders at the world titles, that had expressed they were coached by individuals or part of a coaching squad. Rather than believing what their coach had taught them, they ask someone else the same question. Looking for a different answer because they're not believing in what their own coach is saying.
Then the riders also had their parents that are giving advise through the fence. ‘Big Mistake’. A lot of these parents instead of saying well done, great job, I believe in you, as a child their mind is going 300 miles an hour in every direction normally let alone add a bigger race into the mix.
I was lucky enough to be down at the back of the start hill and in the last part of staging so I got to chat and have a little bit of fun with a lot of the kids. Especially the younger ones. Some seemed to be quite stressed out. My message to them was simple, ‘how is this any different to any other race meeting? You put your helmet on, hop on your bike, warmup, think about the race, put your front wheel on the gate and away you go. Most of all, have fun. That's why we ride our bikes, to have fun!’
It was interesting on some of the reactions to that comment, “yeah you're right, it is no different”. 95% of the time athletes perform better when they are relaxed. Just like having fun at a club day.
As a parent myself, I have a child that is a rider. It can be frustrating seeing them at a bigger race meet just do okay, but you know that they are capable of so much more.
So, what's holding them back? I think it's mindset.
Athletes are more worried about what mum and dad have said to them “you've got to do this” or coach said “you've have to beat this person” instead of just going out, having fun and sticking to their race plan they have come up with while doing the best they can on the day.
So, my message is, find a coach that works in their/your best interest, that believes in them/you and parents should always be positive as your child reads your emotions. Finally riders, have FUN!
I'd like to thank BMX Australia, for this fantastic opportunity.
I commend the efforts of all the volunteers who were involved in making this event very successful for the BMX Australia members and the riders.
Well done to all. You did yourself and your country proud.
Thank you
Simon Anderson
Talented Athlete Program Coach