Bubba Reynolds, Dir of Sport Performance, Orange Lutheran HS, CA

Full video on Glazier Drive:  Basic Principles of Program Design: Organize to Optimize

TRAINING STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

The coach uses a 60-minute session format (typically 48-52 minutes of actual work) with a multi-group approach organized into three exercise categories:

A SERIES – PRIMARY EXERCISES (15-25 MINUTES)

These are the most important movements like squats, bench press, and chin-ups. Programming includes 3-5 sets of 1-6 reps at 70-100% intensity with controlled tempo (slow 4-count descent). Rest periods are longer to allow for neural recovery, and exercises are often paired with plyometrics or mobility work.

B SERIES – ASSISTANCE EXERCISES

These support the primary lifts and focus on structural balance and functional hypertrophy. Programming consists of 2-3 sets of 6-10 reps at 74-83% intensity with 60-90 seconds rest. The emphasis is on cross-sectional muscle growth and fuller range of motion.

C SERIES – REMEDIAL EXERCISES

Single-joint movements targeting weak points like biceps, triceps, external rotators, scapular retractors, calves, and abdominals. Programming includes 1-2 sets of 10-15 reps at 66-74% intensity with a 3-count tempo focusing on control and proper muscle stretch.

PROGRAM DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The coach emphasizes asking whether you’re trying to maximize weight on the bar or accomplish a specific training task. He prioritizes proper movement learning, control over bouncing or losing form, and building mass with expanded range of motion for most high school athletes. The system uses templates and simple rules that allow for easy plug-and-play exercise selection, making programming efficient for busy coaches with multiple responsibilities. The program runs 4 days per week with either upper/lower splits or full-body training depending on the season.

Two years after landing the head coaching position he so badly desired, Coach Jones (not his real name) was quietly fired. The administrative staff realized they’d made a mistake hiring Jones. They weren’t quite sure why he didn’t work out. They did their homework.

Well, enough to consider him a solution to their coaching needs. However, what they couldn’t see is what did him in. After spending a month analyzing Jones, here are the flaws I uncovered:

• Is overly demanding
• Doesn’t listen
• Is intolerant of dissent
• Takes the credit for success
• Blames others for mistakes
• Is untrustworthy—doesn’t do what he says he’ll do
• Is aloof—seen as arrogant
• Has a dictatorial style
• Is abrasive

It’s fairly obvious, after the fact, that Coach Jones has some serious flaws related to interpersonal interactions (he is comfortable with a transactional style of conversation) and relationship building. Nowhere in his flaws will you find a glitch in his knowledge of the sport. He has a great command of the X’s and O’s. But he has some serious team building flaws.

The two primary blind spots that emerged are: 1) his need to be right in all situations, and 2) avoiding accountability to his players and staff. Coach Jones’ “I know” attitude produced such flaws as taking credit for success and his unwillingness to listen. The desire to avoid accountability (to the stakeholders) produced his blaming of others and his dictatorial leadership style and abrasive attitude toward relationship building created cool relationships between him and his staff and players.

The prognosis for Coach Jones is not good. If he fails to discover his fatal flaws his coaching career will never recover. As a prominent coach told me, “We’re pretty good at directing our players to change, but not so great at changing ourselves.”

New to the Second Edition of Coaching for Leadership!

We are pleased to announce a new chapter to the second edition of the best-selling Coaching for Leadership. The chapter, The Big Shift: Unlock Your Team’s Potential by Creating Player-Led Teambuilding, connects the previous edition of this book to its origin, as well as to the future of team sports.

The new chapter sets forth a practical and applicable agenda for change and improvement. The reader is introduced to seven vital elements of change; seven shifts of traditional mental models that lead to the new core principles necessary for creating a player-led team culture. Click here for more information about Coaching for Leadership

About Cory Dobbs, Ed.D.

Cory Dobbs is the founder of The Academy for Sport Leadership and a nationally recognized thought leader in the areas of leadership and team building.  Cory is an accomplished researcher of human experience. Cory engages in naturalistic inquiry seeking in-depth understanding of social phenomena within their natural setting.

A college basketball coach, Cory’s coaching background includes experience at the NCAA DII, NJCAA, and high school levels of competition.  After a decade of research and development Cory unleashed the groundbreaking Teamwork Intelligence program for student-athletics. Teamwork Intelligence illuminates the process of designing an elite team by using the 20 principles and concepts along with the 8 roles of a team player he’s uncovered while performing research.

Cory has worked with professional athletes, collegiate athletic programs, and high schools teaching leadership and team building as a part of the sports experience and education process.  As a consultant and trainer Dr. Dobbs has worked with Fortune 500 organizations such as American Express, Honeywell, and Avnet, as well as medium and small businesses. Dr. Dobbs taught leadership and organizational change at Northern Arizona University, Ohio University, and Grand Canyon University.

Pat Fox – Head Football Coach, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (MI)
Coach Fox is a football coach. We believe that his message is applicable to all programs and all sports.
The following content is provided by Glazier Drive

The following content is provided by Glazier Drive

Coach Adam Mathieson is a football coach and athletic director. We believe that his message is applicable to all programs and all sports.