If you are a carpenter, ...
Take home message
NOT EVERY PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED WITH YOUR SKILL SET.
For Coaches
Know that not every S&C problem actually has an S&C solution. Network widely and have an open mind. You do not need to be the smartest person in the room.
For Athletes
Sometimes the answer is straightforward. And sometimes you need a diverse range of sound options.
Many people are familiar with the saying, “if you are a carpenter, you see every problem as a nail”. It’s the same in S&C, we can often see every physical issue requiring a physical solution. Especially when it is rehab. There is a clear association between an injury, particularly soft tissue like a hamstring strain, and a muscle weakness. Whether that be strength, endurance or motor control, remedies for rehabilitation are almost always physical. Whilst many S&C coaches work in a multidisciplinary team, often all roads lead to physical.
And most of the time, it is probably true. Most injuries, despite the multifactorial nature, can be remedied by optimising some physical condition - strength, fitness, training planning, posture, etc. However, sometimes, it is important to realise or appreciate, that actually not every injury is in fact a nail. That there are other solutions not in the domain of the S&C coach (hence, multifactorial).
For me, part of the solution is recognising, I don’t have the answer (which is more often than not which is why I surround myself with smarter people). It is not a dismissive, not my problem situation, but a “who do we need” situation. I think an important coaching quality is not caring who comes up with the answer, just fix the problem.
Recently I have been working with an athlete attempting to overcome another injury setback. It’s no fun for anyone - me, athlete, teammates, coaches. So it has been critical to get an outside perspective. I am not saying that my program was perfect and the issue is not my fault. I’m part of the team, I have responsibility. Part of my responsibility is to plan and program as thoroughly as possible. To get widespread input into my “carpentry” skills, to make sure what I am doing is sound. Another part of my responsibility is to also encourage exploration of the many other factors that contribute to injury. There comes a time in recurrent injuries where doing the same thing is going to get the same result. As coaches, we need to be humble enough to get help in our area, and also humble enough to know when we cannot solve it. When it actually lies in another domain, outside our sphere of control. We cannot fix everything, not should we try.
I’ve always thought that stronger, fitter bodies are hard to injure and easier to heal. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, more strength and more fitness are not the answer and we need to seek other “trades”. We do the same thing and expect a different result.
Make sure you continue to improve your craft and your network to better serve the athletes and coaches you work with. It’s ok not to have the answer. Part of your job is to know where to go to get them.
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Thanks again. BA.