#201 Vern Gambetta: How Do You Know if You Are a Good Coach?

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome Vern Gambetta. Vern is currently is the Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. He has been the a conditioning coach for several teams in Major League Soccer as well as the conditioning consultant to the US Men’s World Cup Soccer team. Vern is the former Director of Conditioning for the Chicago White Sox and Director of Athletic Development for the New York Mets.

In our discussion, we dive into the importance of being a systems coach, why athletes need to be given tools instead of drills, and why you won't see any of Vern's programming online.

Vern is recognized internationally as an expert in training and conditioning for sport having worked with world class athletes and teams in a wide variety of sports. He is a popular speaker and writer on conditioning topics having lectured and conducted clinics in Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe. Vern’s coaching experience spans 50 years at all levels of competition. He received his BA from Fresno State University and his teaching credential with a coaching minor from University of California Santa Barbara. Vern obtained his MA in Education with an emphasis in physical education from Stanford University.

Vern has authored six books and over a hundred articles related to coaching and sport performance in a variety of sports. His most popular book, Athletic Development: The Art & Science of Functional Sports Conditioning is widely regarded as a must read on the training process for coaches of all levels.

Highlights from the Podcast:

• Vern shares the inspiration for becoming a "systems coach"
• Why is it important to develop your own system as a coach?
• How did Vern create his systems mindset?
• Why don't many organizations employ a sport psychologist and why they should.
• Why you won't see videos online of Vern's programming
• Vern shares stories about his early coaching career

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