What do we mean by basics?
It is not uncommon to hear coaches speak of teaching the “basics”. Teams having problems say they are going back to the basics or talk about the need to teach the basics. As a result, one is left with the impression that basics are an integral part of the coaching and teaching that goes on.
In all these cases however, what is meant by basics is not spelled out. I believe most coaches and athletes think they know what the basics are but when asked to explain or to expound on them, the answers are all often vague.
This is why I ask the question, “What do we mean by basics?” Is it the technique involved in execution of the skill, is it how the skill is carried out in relation to game strategy or is it a combination of both?
I believe the foundation for anything considered basic should be the technique involved in execution of the skill. The reason for this is that without the ability to execute the skill, and to execute it well, all else fails. The more effective the execution of the skill, the more effective everything else that depends on it can be.
I think that most people will agree with this assessment. However, the carrying out of this recommendation is usually the problem. We may talk about teaching basics but do we really know how and what to teach in regard to the basics? Keep in mind that in order to fully understand basics, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the skill technique
We often take the basics for granted but we should not do this. Because someone knows how to run, it does not mean that he or she knows how to run most effectively, regardless of their particular sport. But, how many coaches and athletes really understand running, more specifically running technique?
This is where the crux of the problem lies. Our knowledge of what constitutes the basics is very often lacking. This is through no fault of the coaches or players; it is a lack of education on the part of elementary and high school teachers and especially university professors and instructors in specific sports organizations.
We use the term basics loosely but in reality, the basics involved in sports skills are very complex. This was brought home to me very vividly on one of my trips to the former Soviet Union. During my visits to the physical education (coaching) institutes I discovered that they had separate departments for each of the main sports and the skills involved.
For example, there was a department devoted to running which included sub divisions for sprints and long distances. Each department was involved in the training of high level runners, which included basic research, technique and training methods. In fact, it was in one of these departments that Borzov, their former outstanding sprinter was discovered.
Not only was each runner constantly analyzed in training, but they analysed the technique and training methods used with all world-class runners. As a result, they were the foremost experts in the world when it came to understanding and analyzing running performances, not only of the elite runner but also the novice or low-level runner.
If you read some of the past articles that appeared in the Fitness and Sports Review International you’ll get a good idea of the extensiveness of their research and training practices. As you read these articles and descriptions of what takes place in running and their analyses of world-class runners you discover very quickly that running is not a very simple basic skill; it is very complex. Sadly, too many coaches still believe that the best runners are “naturals”, i.e., they are born with this ability and that it is not developed or learned.
Of course everyone does not need extensive knowledge to be an effective instructor or coach. However, it does require more knowledge than simply knowing that one leg goes in front of the other. With a little more understanding of what is involved in execution of the basic skill of running, coaches and athletes would not be so prone to “jump on the bandwagon” when a new easy or simple method of running is “discovered.”
This concept applies to not only running but just about every sport and the skills involved. Many more examples can be given but I hope it is obvious that we need to look more closely at what constitutes the basics and how we can best teach and instill the basics to allow for more effective improvement of athletic performance. This in turn will lead to better athletes and greater progress in the sport.
For more information on this topic read Secrets of Russian Sports Fitness and Training, Fitness and Sports Review International, Build a Better Athlete and Explosive Running,