Question: How do I effectively cue longtime CrossFit athletes who are new to me?
I can understand how a novice coach or a new coaching hire would be nervous about approaching a veteran athlete with strategies to enhance their movement, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
The first step in approaching any athlete is to have confidence in your ability as a coach and to show it with each class you teach. If you don’t believe in your skills, how can you expect your members to?
Second, assume your members are in class to be coached. As a veteran athlete who’s been doing CrossFit for 14 years, there’s nothing I crave more than a cue from a coach. Don’t be afraid to do your job.
Third, don’t try to change everything in their movement right away. Treat them like a beginner who may be overwhelmed with too much too soon. Although willing to be coached, this veteran athlete may be overwhelmed by too much too soon from a coach they don’t know. Give them time to warm up to you by triaging your correcting, and focus on one thing at a time. How long you stay focused on that one thing will be unique to the individual, but as a starting point, stick with it for at least a class and gauge their response.
Lastly, ask them questions and praise them. Notice what they do well and give them positive reinforcement in these areas. This will give them a positive feeling when you’re coaching. If you ask them the occasional training-related question and are genuinely interested in their input, they’ll also start to see you have their best interest at heart when you deliver a cue.
At the end of the day, if you treat them as you would every other athlete in class, they will feel right at home.
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About the Author
Peter Shaw is a Seminar Staff Flowmaster for CrossFit’s Education Department and currently coaches at CrossFit 1855 in Ottawa, Canada. He has been coaching at an affiliate for over a decade and enjoys coaching a full spectrum of athletes from CrossFit Games competitors to grandmothers. He is a Certified CrossFit Coach (CF-L4), a backyard affiliate owner (CrossFit Petra), and a former CrossFit Games individual and team athlete.
Ask a Coach: How Do I Effectively Cue Longtime CrossFit Athletes Who Are New To Me?