Coaching and Care of Athletes

I I I SPRINTING to it that the athletes are properly fed on the Friday for the big competition finals on the Saturday. This is most important. Saturday. The coach should pay particular attention to the athlete's breakfast, remembering what I have said already in this book to the effect that some men like a very light breakfast and a more substantial lunch and others a substantial breakfast and a light lunch. He should make quite sure that all his athletes know the time at which they will be required to compete, that they have all the kit with them that they will require, and that they are in as happy and optimistic a frame of mind as possible: It is necessary to impress upon the men that they should think of themselves and for themselves, concentrating their attention upon their own per– formances, and not worrying the least little bit about the reputation of their opponents. Mter his athletes have taken part in their first event the coach should see that they cool off by the limbering-down process already described in this book. It is equally important that he should adjust their mental balance by talking to them until they regain their normal composure. It may be that he will have his best opportunity to do this when the men are on the massage table, being prepared for their second event. The second warm-up for each man IIJ.ust be based on his own and the coach's experience of what is necessary for him to prod\].ce the best results. Mter the 220 yds. final is over the coach should note privately ho,w each of · his runners has distributed his energy, as this will help him in planning future races for them. If a relay is to follow there must be a further rest, a very light massage period, and a further and third limbering-up process. If there is no relay the athletes should finish off the day's work by a quiet 300 yds. jog, a few light agility exercises, a bath, but perhaps further massage can be dispensed with . if they have already been treated two or three times during the afternoon. A stroll in the evening instead will tend to remove the waste· products of exhaustion from the muscles equally well. The coach, o( course, will record the athlete's body-weight on the chart, and will himself consider what has been done in the week's work and wh;;tt is the showing of that day's competition. These matters he will discuss with his pupils either on Sunday or during the first period on Monday morning. 205