This article is an excerpt from Coach Brendon Rearick's new book "Coaching Rules: A How-To Manual for a Successful Career in Strength & Fitness" Rule #27: Don't use abbreviations, anatomical terminology, acronyms or industry jargon when cueing exercises.
And when naming exercises, don't use country names or proper nouns. These are weak and cause confusion.
Coaches make training complex by using big words and abbreviations. The language you use should be simple and descriptive, ensuring that your clients can follow along.
It's also easier to communicate with your team. If you want to go on vacation and leave your clients with another coach, you can be sure everyone will know what each exercise is, without question.
Here are a few examples of ineffective exercise names and terminology: Bulgarian, Pallof, Romanian, Jefferson, Turkish, Russian, latissimus dorsi, dorsiflexion, internal/external rotation, axial load, ESD, TK OHP, Lf AF/IR...and others you know.
Instead, program a “rear-foot-elevated kettlebell goblet split squat with a five-second eccentric.”
The name of the exercise is the description and it tells your clients exactly what you want them to do. That's an extreme example, but you get my point.
When leaders use abbreviations, anatomical terminology or industry jargon, it's known as the “curse of knowledge.”
This is speaking and acting under the assumption that everyone knows what you know.
And it creates distance between you, your clients and your peers.
Coaching isn't about who has access to some secret well of knowledge; it's about who can communicate without misinterpretation.
Be simple, descriptive and consistent with your language and you'll be a better coach.
“Don't strive to show how smart you are. Instead, strive to show what a great teacher you are. I now believe the key to Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS) is to strive to Make It Simple, Stupid (MISS).”
~ Michael Boyle
If you're interested in the other #104 Coaching Rules by Movement As Medicine co-owner and CFSC Coach Brendon Rearick you can read more at Coaching-Rules.com
Brendon can be contacted at brendonrearick@gmail.com