July 2016 Newsletter | Article 1
04 Jul 2016 / NAFCNAFC Newsletter
Chest Up, Shoulders Down, Eyes Up, Shins Vertical!
By Tammy LeBoss | thefitprofoodie.com
Keep your cues simple...
Are you connecting with your clients using the right words? To be an effective coach, oftentimes using less words can be more. For example, try using only 3-4 cues for 1 exercise, and challenge yourself in using 20 words or less for the squat.
Second to walking, squatting is likely one of the most functional movements we perform each and every day. How many times do you think we get up and down during the course of a day? Essentially, when we’re sitting and then getting up and sitting back down, we’re performing a squat movement.
To optimize on this process, practice keeping your shins vertical, keeping in line with the foot and hip. During the descent of the squat, check to be sure the shins stay parallel in line with the knees and ankles. Making this adjustment will not only help to harness the power of the hips as well as the hamstrings, it can prevent ACL injury and patellar damage.
Keeping cues/words simple can be very powerful skill to develop over time. Using too many words to explain how to properly squat, can be a trainer’s downfall. Oftentimes, saying: Chest up, shoulders up, eyes up are simple, good reminders, but when aiming for your best squat, also add “keep shins vertical”.
Learn to convey ‘a lot’ with less words using NAFC’s Principle of Safety and Alignment, ANSER™. Find out if your message is being clearly transmitted to your client using less words. In this case, you’ll learn that less is more!
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