Cupertino High School Cross Country 2023
Home of the Pioneers

Head Coach Paul Armstrong

 COACHING PHILOSOPHY
or WHAT I BELIEVE IN

THIS IS A COMPETITIVE SITUATION, NOT A PARTICIPATORY ONE.
All athletic endeavors begin and end with overall fitness.

1. Every child on the team deserves to be coached.
2. I coach more than just the sport when appropriate.
3. I try not to do things that will hurt the athlete. I think short term and long term.
4. I plan all of my workouts in advance and revise them as needed during the season. This season is more ad hoc. 
5. I demand respect for each other.
6. Academics come first before athletics, but good time management is expected
    and required to do well in both.
7. I use time management and goal setting for both athlete and coach.
8. Having fun is important.
9. I do not tolerate second rate effort easily.
10. Parents are part of the process.  Keep them informed and involved.
11. The goal is for everyone to improve from the beginning of the season to the end
      and/or from the last season to the next season.
12. Retention of committed athletes is important.
13. We work on focusing, mental preparation, and relaxation.
14. Asset management is important.
15.  I think and coach short term and long term.
16. I teach and coach to the success process model.  See explanation below.
17. Cross Country is not easier than PE class.
18. Winning is not necessary to be successful, but to be successful you must improve.
19. We believe in continuous improvement.
20. Work hard and have fun along the way.

I define the success process model as a construct that produces results by breaking down the end goal into milestone success points and simple segments that allow the goal(s) to be easily understood and reached.  That means every practice and meet must produce a result that will lead to the final meet.  The final meet is the last success measuring point. In cross country, milestones such as minimum mileage, the 5:30/6:15 first mile, the 24 200s, the 24 400s are established.  The fitness course, Saturday long runs, crunches, push-ups, rest days, course strategies, etc. are all segments that go toward meeting the goals. In track and field, much of the same milestones are used along with event specific drills and exercises.  Everything should come together by the end of the season.  It is similar to putting a puzzle together.  You decide where to start and complete parts based upon what's working or which pieces are available, adjusting the completion strategy along the way as needed.

last updated: 9/20/23
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