The Value of Acknowledging Mistakes in the Coaching Profession

Introduction

When considering the phrase at hand, we should utter it with a sense of humility, as it significantly shakes our confidence. I refrain from adopting a self - righteous stance and presenting a Pinterest - style list of virtuous bullet points about the onset of personal growth and the discovery of courage in such moments. My motivation for penning this piece stems from my numerous experiences of being in error.

Personal Experiences of Realizing Mistakes

The 'Toes Up' Coaching Cue

My career commenced in the spring of 1999. By definition, I was a dedicated fitness enthusiast. I was elated to start my collegiate strength and conditioning career, relishing early morning starts at 4 am to spend more time in the gym. One of the long - standing coaching cues we employed was "toes up," used in squats, deadlifts, and other closed - chain exercises. The intention was to shift the lifters' weight backward, capitalizing on the activation of the posterior chain when the heels were firmly planted. At that time, posterior chain issues were often blamed for various problems. However, as years passed, we noticed an increase in low - back issues, especially during squats. We initially attributed these to the athletes' lack of toughness. Then, seven years into my career, at a kettlebell course, I learned about the neurological connection between the big toe and the glutes. This realization made me question whether my coaching had been holding back thousands of athletes and causing their low - back problems.

Coaching Different Teams

I've recounted this story before, but it warrants repetition. I was determined to emulate my mentor, Mike Kent, a highly respected national coaching figure. I replicated the coaching style I experienced as a football player under him, assuming it was the universal solution. With the football team, it worked well. I was firm yet engaging, pushing them hard and not tolerating complaints. In contrast, when I applied the same approach to the Women's Soccer team, I failed miserably. I earned the nickname "The Weight Room Nazi," and the players hated coming to the weight room. This made me realize that my one - size - fits - all approach was flawed.

The Concept of Ego and Admitting Ignorance

The Insecurity of Always Needing to Be Right

There's a difference between simply being right and the desperate, manic need to be right. Most of us fall somewhere in - between. The purpose of this article is to encourage self - reflection. Despite my years in the field (almost 22 years), I've come to welcome those moments of realization that I don't know everything. Our egos can be both productive and toxic. As coaches or trainers, we hold a position of authority, often with extensive education and confidence in our thinking. However, the body's adaptability can sometimes give us false credit when we're wrong.

Dr. Susan Puhl's Lesson

Dr. Susan Puhl, my Advanced Exercise Physiology instructor and thesis chair, taught me a valuable lesson during a group presentation. When a student tried to bluff her way through an answer, Dr. Puhl persisted until the student finally admitted she didn't know. Dr. Puhl emphasized the importance of admitting ignorance rather than making up answers. From that moment on, I learned to be honest and say "I don't know" when I didn't have a reliable answer.

The Evolution of the Strength and Conditioning Profession

Research Progression

The number of studies in the first edition of The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research was four, while the last edition featured nineteen. When I started my career, I immersed myself in research, reading every word of the first five volumes of this journal. The profession has evolved rapidly, with scientific journals accelerating discoveries and improving existing knowledge.

Questioning Traditional Practices

I'm guilty of using the phrase "what we've always done," which is a lazy cop - out. Many of the traditional exercises I've advocated for two decades are losing their effectiveness. I'm now open to new voices and unconventional methods that produce better results. For example, I'm re - evaluating the carryover of traditional exercises like squats and deadlifts from the weight room to the field. I'm at a crossroads, questioning my system not because I was entirely wrong before but because there are now better alternatives.

Conclusion

We all must face the reality that some of the methods we prescribe to our clients may not work. Admitting when we're wrong and saying "I don't know" is liberating. I'm too old to waste time, and I'm unafraid to tarnish my reputation. Embracing being wrong is a part of growth. We should do what's necessary and move on, knowing that it will make us better professionals.