So...I've been thinking...

November 25, 2019

As with the first SIBT, I’m trying to share more of my thinking, especially around the principles and concepts shaping the future of the CoachApp.

I like metaphors. I’m sure some of you think my affinity is a tad too strong 😏. One of the questions I frequently consider is, “how does this all fit together into a complete picture for coaches?” A combination of these two ideas led me to the question for this message: Is there a useful, single metaphor which summarizes the features of the CoachApp?

A potential tagline that has been floating around in the back of my mind for quite some time is Narrative Based Coaching. I don’t have a great definition, but it feels right to me. Hopefully, through this journey of building and using the CoachApp, we’ll arrive a definition. Loosely connected to narratives, I was thinking of using writing as the analogy for the features of the CoachApp.

The table below summarizes how I think the concepts map to each other. The first two columns can form a sentence of the structure training concept x is like analog y. For example, a 10 minute warm-up is like a letter (and its not a focus of the CoachApp) etc.

I have bolded the three key functional areas of the CoachApp with available features.

I added the last row after being unhappy with where “Season Canvas” dropped in on the first iteration of this table. “Plot” seems like a better comparison for the Season Canvas than “Story”.

My Quick Take:

• I like the way the relationship between the elements is drawn, Weekly Review, Plan Card and Season Canvas, to Paragraphs, Chapters and Plot.

• I like the way this might parallel how coaches develop. First coaches might write workouts, maybe a spin class or something in isolation of other considerations, “I have 75 minutes of pool time, so I build a 75 minute swim session.” The first evolution is to writing “training days”, where there is specific thought for building sessions to compliment the preceding or following sessions, knowing each session is not truly independent. The next level of sophistication is stringing together multiple days into training weeks, and then those training weeks into “blocks.” Soon, coaches build out thematic “blocks” such as “race prep blocks”, “endurance blocks”, “recovery blocks”, as well as linking these thematic blocks together with intention to achieve some higher goal (build the story so to speak.)

• I like how there is changing levels of success. What it means to have successful workout vs what it means to have a successful training block, are different questions. Coaches need to evaluate from different perspectives to provide the best answers, and being able to combine multiple perspectives will enable the most complete answers.

• I like how this model draws out “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” and all that stuff, gestalt if you want a SAT word. Meaning there is more to coaching than just the mechanical tasks.

  Coaches have to execute the first 5 rows, almost as a prerequisite of their job. However, just because they executed the first 5 rows, does not mean it was a successful season, and it certainly doesn’t mean the story reflects why this season is significant for the athlete.

It’s the story that brings the achievement to life. Helping coaches to tell more and better stories definitely feels like part of the mission of Outcast. However, it’s more than merely telling a great story, it’s making sure the coach-athlete alliance builds a great story.

In thinking about what would complete the table above; I’m not sure what specific tools, features, or concepts are needed to clarify the IDK?? or the hmm?? cells. Good thing these posts are not called “So, I have the Answers” 😀

I do think this metaphor has potential. I’d be curious what you think:

• Do you find this analogy useful?
• If not, where did it miss?
• Am I overthinking this?

Thanks again, I do appreciate all your feedback and help you’ve given me.

Cheers,
Tyler