Robertson Training Systems Newsletter 6.04

5 Things I Leaned While Working on My Latest Project

This past weekend, I shot material for a new DVD on single-leg training.  The final product is going to include a DVD and manual which details just about everything I’ve learned about single-leg training up to this point in my career.

Here’s what the product will offer:

DVD

• What I look for when coaching a client/athlete.
• The coaching cues I use to get them moving better.
• The progressions I use to take people from step-ups all the way up to pistols.

Manual

• Pictures and descriptions of all the exercises outlined in the DVD.
• A review of the relevant literature on single-leg training, outlining benefits AND drawbacks.
• How I, personally, organize and plan single-leg training in my programs.

I sincerely hope this product is going to be first-class.  There seem to be tons of coaching materials out there on the Olympic lifts, powerlifts, etc., but when it comes to single-leg training, there are very few quality-coaching materials out there.

More importantly, damn near every trainer I know uses single-leg lifts in their programming!  I hope this product will not only teach you and your client’s how to lift more effectively, but how to choose an appropriate exercise for your current level of fitness as well.

Now that I’m done rambling about the project, let’s discuss what I learned while in the process of creating this little beast.

#1 – A Project Really Forces You to Formulate and Organize Thoughts

Whether it’s a blog post, an article, or even a product, working on projects such as this one really force you to organize your thoughts.

All those little ideas you have bouncing around in your head, how do they fit into the equation?

What rationale do you have for placing one exercise further down the list in regards to progression than another?

Quite simply, whenever I develop a product, seminar, etc, I find myself firming up my resolve and my beliefs in what I do.  I can’t say it’s 100% correct, or the only way to get from A to B.

But at the very least, I know there’s a progressive, well-thought-out rationale behind what I do.

#2 – You Must Really Work to Master a Topic

Before the hate-mongers get started, I’m NOT saying I’ve mastered this topic.  But I do realize how involved it must be to get there!

It’s like anything else in life:  The more you learn, the more you realize how little you actually know!

Something as simple as coaching a split-squat looks really easy, until you start to think about all the compensations you can see.

Are they pronating or supinating at the foot?

Is their knee caving in?

What is their torso position like?

And that’s just the observation side of the equation.  Once you know what they’re doing wrong, how do you get them to fix it?  This is where having an arsenal of cues comes (and coaching ability) come into play.  A cue that may work for 90% of the population may not work for the client that’s in front of you right now.

This is the essence of coaching, though – being able to communicate effectively, in a manner that your clients can understand, and which helps them move more effectively.

#3 – Deadlines are important!

I really thought I’d never get this project done.

And in all honesty, it’s still not done, as I’ve only shot the video.  I still have the long process of video editing, writing up and revising the manual, etc.

On second thought, let’s just pencil this in for a 2011 release…. 🙂

In all seriousness, a deadline makes all the difference.  I wrote, revised, and reworded the script for this DVD more times than I care to count.  Without setting a date, I could’ve kept prolonging the revising process.

By having a set date, I was forced to get the script to a point where I was comfortable with it.  I doubt you’re ever 100% good with it, but that leads me to my next point…

#4 – I’m a perfectionist

When I create a product, I don’t want it to be “average” or “good.”  There are enough people out there that are ok with this.

I want a product to be perfect.  I know it can’t be, but I guess it’s that pursuit of perfection that it’s important.

With that being said, the lesson I learned is this:  It’s not going to be perfect.

I may mispronounce a word or stutter when I read the script.

Lance (my model) may have the slightest bit of knee valgus when he’s performing a pistol.  He’s not perfect, especially after 3+ hours of shooting (although he may beg to differ!)

There will probably be a typo or two in the finished manual.

While it’s hard for me to admit that, I also understand if I really wanted 100% perfection, I would never release another product, never write another article or blog, and never give another seminar.

#5 – I don’t know how actors do it!

This is a totally random point, but Saturday was a long day.

I had to work in the AM at IFAST, and then turn around immediately and head to the DVD shoot.

While there, I basically read script for 3+ hours.  Even worse, Lance had to demonstrate single-leg lifts for 3+ hours!  Quite simply, there’s a tremendous amount of focus that goes into shooting a DVD.

I honestly don’t understand how actors do it.  I was totally wiped after one day, and I wasn’t even on camera all that much!

So there you have it – 5 things I learned from my upcoming project.  First and foremost, I hope it’s given you a little insight as to the entire process of creating a big project.

On the other hand, though, there are some general and ideas and thoughts in there that just about anyone can relate to, if you read between the lines a bit.

Until next time, have a great week – train hard and train smart!

All the best

Mike