More Hype & Marketing
My post yesterday seems to have touched some tender nerves. My intent is not to bash anyone; my intent is to provoke some critical thinking. We need clarity to define this field. As far as I am concerned there is a direct contrast between traditional thinking and Functional Path thinking. Functional Path thinking is big picture, conceptual based thinking that views the world through a telescope not a microscope. I think in terms of systems and combinations of exercises into modules to achieve a specific training effect. You can make all the Low Box videos you want, but where does it fit into the big picture, how do you use it, in what phase of training is it appropriate, how do you progress or do you need to buy the next DVD to find out. I want to see people contribute knowledge not just information. Information is noise, chatter, frankly that is one of things that is holding back today’s generation of coaches. They rely too much on fast “information” gathered from the internet. You must seek out knowledge, to do that you must study the past, study journals, read classic texts, look at many sports and other disciplines and get out and gather experiences. Remember there are no magic potions or exercises that can make you better with quick fixes. Crash programs usually crash, I had to learn that the hard way in my first few years coaching.
This reminds of a conversation I had with a young French conditioning coach when I was in
posted by Vern Gambetta @ 10/21/2006 05:56:00 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Vern,
The answer is a simply one. Athletes need the feedback on a daily basis. Not follow a DVD or for that matter a book. They need verbal/ hands-on guidance along with the coaches. If you are an expert in your field, you know what I'm talking about. It sickens me when I here of an athlete following one of these DVD's to better him/her self and gets hurt because they don't have a clue. I see it more and more everyday. It seems to be the cheapest way out for the athletes and coaches because alot of you so called GURUs and experts charge an arm and a leg for your mini camps.Let's get real and start helping these coaches/athletes not stealing from them.
Ron B.
RB,
I am not understanding what the problem is here. You want free info? You want a huge discount? The knowledge that Vern, and all GURU's possess, and how information fits into the big picture, well dispensing (along wiht accumilating) that knowledge is our way of creating an income. A lawyer is not going to discount his ability just because you can put bits and pieces together from the internet.
Some coaches and atheltes want to take shortcuts, which is fine with me, but they had better not complain when they don't get the results they want. My clietns who get results and succeed are usually the ones who listen more than talk.
Chris
Chris,
BIG RED FLAG,shotrcuts don't work, so teach these coaches and athletes in a free clinic on the right way training should be done.
Were not talking about discounts, were talking about the right way to train. You have to give alot to get a little.And it also sounds like not all your clients get results, makes me wonder. If your in your profession to make a ton of money,my opinion, get out because your are not the professional for me. And I don't see it as dispensing your knowledge, there's a big picture than making a crazy amount of monet for your services. Am I the only one that thinks this way, because my business is booming and ALL my clients get results.
Woah, woah, woah, I never said any of my athletes or clients take shortcuts, Rob, it sounds like you are the one who wants them, wants a hand out. Why should a clinic be free? The info will be taken much more seriously when they must give something back. As for my clients, I refuse to retain or take on clients who do not want to do the work. But you know what, some do not want to listen, or completely change their lifestyle. I am not a hand holder.
If ALL of you clients are getting results, you are surely not making it hard enough for them, or the results are minute. As for the money, who gets in to this profession for the money???
OK, one last thing Rob. Really, I do not want to fight with you on Vern's blog. I am sure you are a great profession and we must have a misunderstanding of the situation here. I have some of products of the person whom Vern is talking about and I think they are great. However, I agree with him that some things are just fluff. If a coach buys these products, all he sees are exercises adn great explanations of them, but no direction. I misread your post and agree with you. What I don't agree with is your statement of the charge. If a coach or athelte does not like the fee, everything is negotiable. I don't charge much, I do group sessions that helps keep the fee low, so obviously we had a misunderstanding and I apologize.
Vern's quote:
"You can make all the Low Box videos you want, but where does it fit into the big picture, how do you use it, in what phase of training is it appropriate, how do you progress or do you need to buy the next DVD to find out."
Change Low Box to Speed Ladder and I have the same question for you Vern.
How can you take a shot at a coach for releasing a DVD about how to use a piece of equipment in a training session when you do the EXACT SAME THING with your speed ladder video?
Because Vern's audience isn't targeted for mass market in 20 different magazines The video gives detailed explanations on how-to use the ladder and why. This video focuses in my opinion on remedial work for a beginner or advanced athlete. And the ladder can be used in any part of your training session/warm-up unlike the Low Box Video and the exercises associated with the video. Lastly, how much does the Low Box Video cost compared to the unbelievable price of $19.95 for the Ladder Video.
So you have seen the Low Box DVD or not?
Yes Vern's tape is $20 but if you were to ask him about it and he were to give an honest answer, he would believe that he deserves more (just as anyone in his situation would).
How is Vern not in mass markets? He speaks all over the world?
Great comment post about the speed ladder. Vern has pushed this for years.
Quote:
"Lastly, how much does the Low Box Video cost compared to the unbelievable price of $19.95 for the Ladder Video."
If you compare price you better compare the content too.
I think the low box DVD is 55 mins long for $39.95
The Speed Ladder Video is $19.95 for 20 mins.
I'm not getting into comparisons of content (although I own both and the content of both are excellent) but it seems that they are similarly priced when you factor in the length of the tapes.
If anything the low box DVD is more value for money right? Three times as long for only $20 more?
Trying to argue that the speed ladder product is superior because it's cheaper is extremely weak.
Quote:
"The video gives detailed explanations on how-to use the ladder and why"
And the low box DVD gives detailed explanations on how-to use the low box and why"
Quote:
"This video focuses in my opinion on remedial work for a beginner or advanced athlete."
And the low box DVD focuses in my opinion on remedial work for a beginner or advanced athlete.
Do you realize how little sense you are making?
Quote:
"And the ladder can be used in any part of your training session/warm-up unlike the Low Box Video and the exercises associated with the video."
Huh?
The low box can be used in any part of your warm up or training session too.
Your comments are flat out ridiculous and you clearly haven't seen the DVD in question.
A reminder to all - Vern doesn't need defending here - Lee Taft didn't attack him - Vern attacked Lee Taft.
A post about marketing is one thing - but a post that calls attention to a specific product created by a specific coach is quite another and speaks volumes.
Why don't you guys post under your real names instead of being anonymous.
Finally! You Americans are finally starting to rid yourselves of that curse you call capitalism.
We socialists have been saying this all along!
These coaches who charge money that their customers are willing to pay are fools. Not only that, they're going straight to hell.
Then they make up testimonials from the idiots who buy their generic programs because only those of us who give our services for free will be welcomed into heaven.
Everyone knows God hates people who make more than the average wage.
How dare you charge a fee for information when you could do it for free and then go home and eat macaroni and cheese for dinner every night?
Only the noble and righteous live a life dedicated to living paycheck to paycheck. And only the devil incarnated actually likes money.
A real coach doesn't know how to market their services because they're far too busy doing research to spend time thinking about money, because it is the root of all evil.
Everyone knows people who charge more than $15 (a very fair price) for an hour of training or for a 60 minute DVD are bad people. That's the reason why you Americans are so hated.
Dirty, dirty capitalists. I say we make everything free and dedicate our lives to helping the poor.
Nice post idiot maybe next time you will leave your name. So according to your logic, a crappy coach putting out a crap project and purposely fooling the uninformed public by using fake testimonials or rehearsed ones from colleagues is ok?
No one said anything about not charging but rather about people who have no business putting out products and then hyping them up there with the people who do put out great stuff in order to make a buck.
BK
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