I've done alot over time with playing around with competition formats and groupings during practices and club events. I've come to think that maybe there is another way to organize children's ski competitions that recognize growth and development...
If there is one thing that can dial kids in to a program its the fun factor. Fun is important - but the reality is though, that being a good ski racer requires lots of hard work. For early adolescents finding the right mix of fun and w...
How much competition is the right amount for 12-13 year cross country skiers?Early Adolescence is a critical age in developing a positive disposition and orientation to racing. At 12-13, many kids venture beyond their local club races for th...
Taking the Time to frame 'Team' with T1/2 athletesKids are so ready to take an active part in sharing their ideas, in creating a team, in owning what its going to be about - when you give them the chance to contribute and put their ideas at the centre,...
2013 Alberta Youth Championships - Bragg Creek, AB I'll be honest, I am crazy about cross country skiing - not in an insane sort of way - but in a 'I really love this stuff' kind of way. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to ...
As a coach of T2T athletes, I rely heavily on relationship building to help engage and support athletes. Kids this age are monsters of relationship - keyed into peers heavily and significantly connected to social environments. For many year...
Athlete recognition - what's needed for T2T athletes?Last year when I was volunteering as the Youth and Athlete Development Director on the CCA board, I advocated for and worked to create a new initiative called the Alberta Midget Talent Squad. T...
Cross Country MTB - exploring how to fit this in to a year round T2T program.Variety is important to 12-13 year olds. Including varied training activities expands physical literacy opportunities for this age kid as well as appeals to the need to ...
Cross Country Canada has put together a new Athlete Development Matrix. Please see the message below from Cathy Harris, Athlete Development Coordinator, CCCHi RoyWe are wondering if you would like to add the ADM information to your blog courtesy ...
LTAD performance indicators - T2T athletesHow do you create a t2t program that helps kids advance their abilities while maintaining those things that kids would say are essential to their enjoyment? As much as literature might recommend doing thi...
About this blog - There just isnt very much out there for professional or volunteer coaches about 'best practice' in the world of coaching adolescent cross country skiers. This blog will pull together ideas from a number of sources including club...