Entries by Ian King

Technology and training

On Dec 3 2017 it was 25 years to the day since the first text message (SMS) was successfully sent. [1] [2] The message required a computer. They could be received on a hand set mobile phone, but could not be responded to. Twenty five years ago athletes – pro and amateur – were trained […]

If only they knew….

….what has been in print for over 20 years… The sport specific technique session was coming to a close when I heard my fellow coach refer to a prior knee injury in one of the athlete.   Let’s call that athlete Billy. Intrigued, at the conclusion of the session I asked the young athlete: IK: What […]

Ode to Alice

And a wake up call to the parents of all the Alice’s and Allan’s of the world I just met Alice. And as a result of that meeting I felt inspired to immediately write on behalf of the ‘Alice’s’ of the world. Alice will never read this article. Our meeting was brief and coincidental. My […]

Considerations before you pick up a Kettlebell again

Seven factors to reflect upon before picking up another Kettlebell Over time new ways to train are continually introduced, and in many cases these ‘new ways’ include new training devices. In some cases the ‘new device is intended to replace the conventional external loading options, and in some cases they are intended to supplement them. […]

A message to parents of young athletes – would you sign up for this?

Imagine this. You are turning up to training 45 minutes earlier than the previous generation did. You are doing ‘dryland’ – alleged performance enhancing and injury reducing physical training. And it is degrading your body shape, increasing the severity and frequency of your injuries, and putting you out of sport, play and movement earlier than […]

Stop lifting your leg!

The former US NCAA Division 1 athlete started performing the exercise in their program, the single leg stiff leg deadlift, for the first time under my supervision. As they bent forward their non-support leg began to lift backwards. I asked: ‘Why are you lifting your leg?’ They replied: ‘Because that is how I was taught […]

There is a better way – Part 3: I don’t notice you

In the second phase of the game, only a minute or so in, one of the players successfully bumped off the attempted tackle of an opponent. The attacking player whooped so loudly you could hear him a mile away. The celebration continued for another minute. This is a real live, 2017 example, in a state […]

The decline of Australian sporting performances

Australia’s sports performances are in decline.  Yes, it’s a generalization, and if this is not the case in your sport, I am happy for you. However. to showcase this suggestion, I have selected five sports or sporting events that possess a proud and long history of international dominance or success. Sports interwoven in the Australian […]

Guidance for the new physical preparation coach – Respect & research

In 1999 I wrote the first edition of the book ‘So You Want to Become a Physical Preparation Coach’. It was the first and only book of it’s kind at the time offering professional and business guidance to physical preparation coaches. Twenty years later this guidance is as relevant as it was then. However little […]