Effective Practice Among the Chaos
by Wisconsin Track Coaches Association
Description
Effective Practice Among the Chaos" is a comprehensive lecture delivered by Coach Julie Merkes, aimed at track and field coaches seeking to optimize their coaching strategies amidst the complexities of training environments. The core concept of the course revolves around fostering effective and engaging practice sessions for athletes, even in the face of various challenges and distractions. Coach Merkes emphasizes the importance of keeping practices dynamic and engaging to maintain athlete interest and motivation, particularly during periods of downtime or when transitioning between seasons. She advocates for creative solutions, such as incorporating partner drills, utilizing technology for remote feedback, and attending camps and clinics to continuously learn and improve coaching techniques.
Throughout the lecture, Coach Merkes emphasizes the value of simplicity and focused feedback, encouraging coaches to prioritize quality over quantity in their coaching approach. By keeping practices simple yet engaging, coaches can effectively nurture athlete development and success. Additionally, the lecture highlights the importance of continuous learning and collaboration among coaches, showcasing a holistic approach to coaching that goes beyond the track. Overall, "Effective Practice Among the Chaos" provides coaches with practical strategies and insights to enhance their coaching effectiveness and navigate the challenges of training in the dynamic world of track and field.
Lessons
The Coach
Julianne Merkes begins her sixth season as assistant coach for the UW-La Crosse women’s track & field team in 2023-24. The Eagles captured their 11th consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) outdoor title in 2023, winning 11 individual and two relays titles.
UWL won its third straight WIAC indoor crown in 2023, capturing 10 individual and one relay title. UWL was selected the 2022 and 2023 WIAC Outdoor and Indoor Coaching Staff of the Year. UWL won six individual and two relay crowns at the 2022 outdoor championships and five individual and one relay indoor.
The Eagles won seven individual and one relay title while also recording eight second-place and nine third-place individual finishes in capturing the outdoor championship in 2021. UWL was selected the 2021 WIAC Outdoor Coaching Staff of the Year.
UWL won 10 individual conference titles at the 2020 indoor meet with capturing the league championship while recording four second-place finishes and six third-place finishes. For its efforts, UWL was named the 2020 WIAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
UWL swept the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Indoor and Outdoor Championships. The team secured 18 All-America honors at the indoor championshps and 20 at the outdoor championships. The Eagles placed second at the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor and Outdoor Championships. UWL earned 16 All-America honors at each of the championships. UWL was second at the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships, its best finish since placing second in 1997. UWL earned 17 All-America accolades at the 2021 national meet.
Merkes was a member of the UWL women’s track & field team from 2011-15. She placed sixth (2014) and seventh (2015) in the hammer throw at the WIAC championships. During the 2014-15 season, Merkes was a team captain and earned various recognitions including UWL Scholar-Athlete, WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team, and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team.
She served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council for both UWL and the WIAC.
Merkes graduated with honors from UWL in 2015 with bachelor’s degree in biology. After college, she worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as a technical specialist for the Genomics laboratory. She is currently working on her Master’s in Clinical Microbiology at UWL.
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This Course Includes
| 24 hours on-demand video |
| Streaming from mobile and TV |
| Lifetime access |
| Certificate of completion |
| 100% money back guarantee |
Course Info
| Rating: | (0) |
|---|---|
| Caterory: | Track and Field/Coaching Track & Field |
| Duration: | |
| Videos: | 7 |
