By David Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him)Both Strength and Conditioning as well as Sport Psychology, as fundamental components of athletic development, are still struggling to find their footing in sport. While any athlete and coach, especially at the elite level will tell you, the “mental” aspect of performance is the key to achieving success. Despite this, … Continue reading Coaching Sport Psychology + Strength and Conditioning: Perceived Focus as a Driver for Athlete Buy In and Performance Output
When it Comes to Breaking Down Barriers in Sport, Creating a Safe Space Just Isn’t Enough
By David “Dirk” Smith, M.Sc., SDL (He/Him) The most common element when it comes to developing grassroots inclusive sport structures is building a “safe space” type of culture that is free from judgement, prejudice, and discrimination that LGBTQ+ people, especially trans/nonbinary and POC experience. Sport has long been an institution that is founded and … Continue reading When it Comes to Breaking Down Barriers in Sport, Creating a Safe Space Just Isn’t Enough
Athlete or Performer? Basics of Performance Psychology
What's the difference between an athlete and a performer? Well, not much really but at the same time, there's a lot different. An "athlete" a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise whereas a "performer" is a person who executes a skill or a talent in front of an audience. … Continue reading Athlete or Performer? Basics of Performance Psychology
One Week, 20 Students in a Small German Town and a Big Finish – My First Experience Teaching with the Studienstiftung
As part of my graduate school goals and pursuits has been to gain valuable teaching experience at the college level in order for me to be better prepared for a career in collegiate teaching and academia upon graduating. This has been easier said than done as I’ve overcome various challenges and barriers to achieve the … Continue reading One Week, 20 Students in a Small German Town and a Big Finish – My First Experience Teaching with the Studienstiftung
Dryland Speed and Coordination Training for Swimmers
By David “Dirk” Smith, M.Sc, CSCS, SDL (He/Him) At the very beginning of my Strength and Conditioning career pursuits, I attended a day long workshop hosted by one of the snottiest universities I had ever been to. While I was never a student at Snooty University, I had worked there and also trained there at … Continue reading Dryland Speed and Coordination Training for Swimmers
Working with LGBTQ+ Athletes: Considerations for Sport Psychologists, Coaches, and Other Sport Practitioners
If you work in sport and you think this article doesn’t apply to you, you’re wrong. Every coach, sport psychologist, and other practitioner in the field has, had, and/or will have an LGBTQ+ athlete under your guidance and care. Whether they choose to be visible or not is entirely their business and it’s not your job to say otherwise. However, it is your job to ensure that the space you are providing to practice and participate in sport is built around an inclusive, safe, accessible, and empowering climate for all your athletes.
Athletic Development as a Complex Adaptive System
By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) My recent article on the four the four pillars of athletic development talks about how building successful athletes and a team are rooted in the different skills and competencies of mental, physical, tactical, and technical conditioning within sport. During my time with the soccer team, as the team’s strength … Continue reading Athletic Development as a Complex Adaptive System
Sport and Performance: Building a Relationship with Your Audience
There are many “performance” sports in which the sport itself built upon the measure of success based on judgement from a panel of professionals with in depth knowledge of the sport and its rules. These sports, such as ice skating, gymnastics, cheerleading, dancing, and others often attract an audience who come to see the show … Continue reading Sport and Performance: Building a Relationship with Your Audience
Participation. Inclusion. Personal Best? Four Considerations in Developing Athletes within Inclusive Sports
By Dirk Smith, MSc, CSCS, SDL (He/Him) The Gay Games are built upon three tenants, participation, inclusion and personal best. Inclusive grassroots sport has evolved from this established foundation and has made great strides in creating a sport space is built upon participation and inclusion but clubs and teams are often lacking in the athletic … Continue reading Participation. Inclusion. Personal Best? Four Considerations in Developing Athletes within Inclusive Sports
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