Performance coaching

Performance coaching. What does it mean? Simply put, it is a way of coaching so that anyone, regardless of level, improves their performance. It will be an incredibly important concept in the months and years to come. It is a giant leap forward and away from "technique" based teaching. I have been trying desperately to integrate it into my own coaching, but it is not simple. It requires a great deal of work and preparation. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to see it done properly this past weekend. I participated in a seminar conducted by Adam Singer that was miles beyond a typical seminar session. He took a diverse group of people, with all kinds of different experiences and games, and, if the feedback from the people I talked to is any indication, ALL of them walked away with elevated games. And that includes stand up striking, clinch, and ground.

He started off with shadowboxing and then light contact sparring. Once he understood the room, he was off. Everything he showed had immediate application and was done in a way that everyone could grasp, even if they could not quite perform it to the highest level. He went through a progression that integrated all the ranges while tweaking the details within the ranges. At all times, even when we were doing some kind of isolation drill, he always kept us focused on the totality of MMA. And, it was also cutting edge stuff, such as ways of getting off the ground back to stand up striking, including clever ways of using a wall or brace. His coaching intelligence also came out when he smoothly found ways of working in wrestling even when the knowledge base for wrestling in the room was low. He still kept everyone going with the right stuff. I don't think anyone ever got left behind. And, he finished up the final 45 minutes with an open Q & A that tied it all together and made sure everybody was comfortable with the material.

In short, it was an amazing experience. Adam is truly a gifted and hardworking coach. If you ever get the chance to find out firsthand, DO IT! You will not regret it.