USRPT and Generation Z

Great inquiry, coacherik.

This is a workout that should only be used once or twice a season. It order to ensure randomness, it mustn’t be expected by the athletes and shouldn’t be repeated too often. This is a ‘secret weapon’ workout that could be used if you feel like your athletes have adapted to the training and are no longer making improvements. It’s a great break from the “grind” which should keep your athletes fresh.

If you compared it to the educational realm, consider it a test such as a midterm or final.

Thank you for your interest! Please let me know if you need further clarification.

My second question was related to the first. In a practice like this are you spending your time just keeping them organized or do you get to coach (tech feedback). Seeing as how you said this a a 1-2 times per season kind of thing, that is a moot point.

As for your generational comment at the beginning, the state of mind (Dweck: growth Vs closed) really determines someones ability to make USRPT work. As a Gen Y (borderline, born in 81) who coaches a master swimmer from Gen Xer, it may take a little extra time, but it does work. It is effective for any type of athlete of any age, it is a matter of the willingness to go “all in” and see if it works. The rub is whether or not a person has the 1-1.5 years of patience to see it through. You are right, if a Gen Xer is unwilling to truly go for it, there are better ways to train.

Coacherik-

To readdress your question: “are you spending your time just keeping them organized or do you get to coach (tech feedback).”:

The burden of responsibility to be organized rests upon the athletes; don’t be afraid to restart the set if disorder ensues. That’s how a one-hour workout can take two hours. The periods of rest are enough to provide technical feedback, which you and your staff should mainly be focused on. Ideally, the periods of rest should be short as Gen Z responds to short bursts of information rather than long harangues and speeches. Text messaging, memes, social media statuses, etc. demonstrate the short attention span on Gen Z, conditioned by their environment. Small bits of feedback during ten seconds of rest may be more effective than a five-minute speech on body position.

In response to “If anything, I have seen more vocal/public resistance to USRPT from Gen X then Gen Y.”:

I should bite my tongue in this matter; however, in general youth is more open to change and new ideas than older generations (think: Obama’s “Change” campaign targeted a younger audience and succeeded). It is not my intention to base my argument on cliche phrases like “grumpy old men” and “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks”, but these phrases resound in my head as potential explanations for this phenomenon.
When Gen X were youths, they were open to new ideas and campaigned for change through the civil rights movement (60’s) and the “hippie” / anti-war movement (60’s and 70’s). However, as people age I believe we settle into a belief system and inevitably may become “stuck in our ways” (again, apologies for the cliche phrase).

In response to your comment: “state of mind (Dweck: growth Vs closed) really determines someones ability to make USRPT work”:

Gen Y can be defined as “optimists” and Gen X/Z as “realists”. In general, Gen Y is not vocal on many issues because we tend to take an optimistic view of many different issues. This may explain why Gen Y has not been outwardly resistant to USRPT training. In addition, It is easier to sell a new idea to younger rather than older generations, which is why Gen Z has quickly accepted USRPT and Gen X needs more proof, although they maintain interest because deep down it appeals to their core values. Once Gen X has enough evidence, I believe they will wholeheartedly accept and benefit from the system.

THANK YOU for your feedback! I’d be happy to keep this conversation going!