Great coaching is fundamental to the continued growth of the sport and the performance of riders from grassroots level through to the Olympic podium.
In this article, we talk about what makes a good coaching environment and how you can learn from the Great Britain Cycling Team’s Club Clusters of Training (CCT).
The role of the coach is to help riders on the journey to achieve their potential. To do so means recognising riders needs, aspirations and motivations – being rider-centred. The coaching environment we foster is very important to how riders progress on that journey.
In a good coaching environment, success is celebrated and rider’s achievements are always recognised. However, that doesn’t mean focussing on only those who demonstrate exceptional talent or win on a consistent basis. It means focussing on how riders develop, recognising when they improve their performance. That could be choosing the right line through a corner, performing the ready position with good technique or always being on time for sessions.
Coaches should encourage riders to focus on their own performance instead of the performance of others. That way, riders can excel regardless of whether they finish first or last. It is the coaches’ job to recognise when processes are performed well. That requires an ability to observe and provide specific, constructive feedback.
Successful coaching environments do not necessarily have world class facilities or resources (although they do help!). We only need to look to countries like Ethiopia or Jamaica where their runners consistently win at the highest level.
Closer to home in cycling, we’ve got hotspots such as the North West, Birmingham and Peebles which consistently develop great riders. What all these hotspots have in common is that there are plenty of opportunities to train and race regularly, with the level of competition being very high.
This is where Club Clusters of Training provide an excellent opportunity for young riders with a lot of potential to come together to train. CCTs are the first step on the new Performance Pathway developed by the Great Britain Cycling Team.
Taking place in every region, they bring together youth racers from Go-Ride Clubs across the area, to develop the skills and fitness required to increase the standard of racing regionally and nationally.
The CCTs also provide a great opportunity for coaches to learn new techniques to take back to their riders. Find out more information about how you can get involved in Club Clusters of Training.
