Hello Everyone,
Well, it has been a long time since I have written to all of you. For all of you in Illinois we are finally going to have Track & Field again! We are going to be able to start coaching our kids again! I am so excited to start doing that again.
After all this time I finally have some good information to send to you guys. The Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association is having their yearly coaches clinic from Thursday March 18th until Sunday March 21st this year. The clinic is an online virtual clinic that you will be able to watch & ask questions live. You will also be able to view the presentations for many weeks afterwards. This clinic is open to everyone, not just Illinois coaches. The throws portion of this clinic is the most outstanding line up I think you are ever going to find. Check it out!
Rene’ Sack: German National Throws Coach:
The glide shot put lives! At last week’s European Indoor Championships, four of the top six finishers were gliders, including Germany’s Sara Gambetta. This year’s virtual ITCCCA clinic will feature Sara’s coach, René Sack, himself a former world class glider.
Nobody knows glide shot putting like the Germans, and this is a unique opportunity to learn from a coach who knows the German approach to the glide inside and out. René will present on Saturday, March 20th at 10:40am CST. Attendees will be able to submit questions throughout this live production, and will also have access to a recorded version on Coachtube for a limited time. Speaking of Coachtube, you can currently purchase a talk the René gave last summer on the discus. That presentation may be found here.
Maggie Ewen: Multiple NCAA Champion & World Class Shot Putter:
Maggie Ewen, arguably the greatest thrower in NCAA history (she won, over the course of her career, the shot, disc, and hammer) and fresh off a PB shot put toss of 19.54m, will present at this year’s ITCCCA Virtual Clinic. On Saturday, March 20th at 9:00am CST, Maggie will discuss “Physical Preparation for the Throws.” In that talk, Maggie will describe the methods she used in high school and beyond to build the power output necessary to make an implement go far. On Sunday, March 21st, also at 9:00am, Maggie will present on her “Shot Put and Discus Journey.” In this session, she will examine her technique development over the years in each event. Attendees will be able to submit questions throughout these live presentations, and will also–for a limited time–have access to a replay on Coachtube.
Jeff Rebholz: Illinois State University Throws Coach:
Coach Rebholz, the outstanding throws coach at Illinois State University, will present at the 2021 ITCCCA Virtual Throws Clinic. Jeff’s session will take place on Friday, March 19th at 6:00pm CST. Jeff will speak on rotational shot putting technique. His primary focus will be explaining the methods he uses to to transition a putter from the glide to rotational technique. Jeff’s session will provide valuable insight for coaches at any level who want to teach sound technique to an athlete new to the rotational style. Attendees will be able to submit questions throughout this live presentation, and will be given access–for a limited time–to a video replay on Coachtube.
Olympian Andy Bloom & his coach Scott Bennett:
Olympian (and one of the greatest shot/disc combo throwers in history) Andy Bloom will join the man who coached him to throwing greatness, Scott Bennett, for two sessions at this year’s clinic. On Thursday, March 18th at 7:40pm CST, Andy and Scott will reveal their insights into rotational shot putting. They will return on Friday, March 19th, also at 7:40pm CST to discuss discus technique. Each session will feature substantial use of video to illustrate drills and technical points. Attendees will be able to submit questions throughout these live presentations and will also–for a limited time–enjoy access to a video replay via Coachtube.
Suzy Powell-Roos 3X Olympian & Throws Coach:
Suzy Powell is one of the most decorated female discus throwers in American history. She is a 3x Olympian and former American record-holder with a PR of 69.44m/227’9.” A product of the great UCLA throwing program, Suzy has been ranked among the top 10 discus throwers in the world numerous times. Currently she coaches throws at Modesto Junior College in Modesto California. Suzy will present at this year’s ITCCCA Virtual Clinic on Thursday, March 18th at 6:00pm CST. Suzy’s talk is titled, “Throw Like a Girl—A systematic approach to learning and coaching the discus throw.” Attendees will be able to submit questions throughout this live presentation and will also–for a limited time–have access to a video replay via Coachtube.
Vésteinn Hafsteinsson Gerd Kanter & Daniel Ståhl’s coach:
Vésteinn Hafsteinsson is the most successful discus coach in the history of the sport. Under his guidance, Gerd Kanter won gold at the 2007 World Championships and 2008 Olympics. Daniel Ståhl became his second World Champion in Doha in 2019. Vésteinn also coached shot putter Joachim Olsen to a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics, and currently trains Sweden’s Fanny Roos, one of the best young putters in the world.
If you haven’t yet signed up for the online virtual ITCCCA Clinic get signed up! You don’t want to miss this opportunity. Follow the link below to get signed up.
This clinic will be a great way to get the season started!
You’ll be hearing from me again as the season gets closer.
Jim Aikens