Lone Star Pole Vault Club Newsletter

October 8, 2014

 

Contents:

"Unless we try to do something beyond what we have already mastered, we cannot grow." 
-Ronald Osborn

"Improvement is all about making the uncomfortable comfortable, then finding the next uncomfortable."
-Doug "Bubba" Sparks

"Perfection does not come from doing extraordinary things, but from doing simple things extraordinarily well."
-Alan Launder

These 3 quotes best reflect the system of teaching and learning the pole vault that I have developed over the past 15 years.  Every day I push athletes to learn, understand, implement, and perfect the many elements of technique that this sport requires.  It is easy to want to just do what you do well and to remain in your comfort zone but that is not how you improve or perform to your full potential.  You must constantly push yourself beyond your current level and master the simple elements of each movement if you are truly sincere about wanting to be the best you can be.

October Dues: October Memberships are due and several folks still need to make payment.  Please do so at your next practice or by mail if it will be more than 5 days until your next practice.

Club Membership Rate Changes: October will be the last month for Unlimited Group Practice and Open Gym for $120.  Beginning November 1st, our rate structure will change to reflect practice frequency.  We are discontinuing daily group practice rates, so to be eligible to participate in group practices you must join by the month.  If you are unable to join monthly then your only other options are to schedule private lessons or open gym.  The membership levels listed below are designed to accommodate those who practice either once per week, twice per week, or three times or more per week. 

Membership Cap and Online Booking:  In contrast to past years, I will be the only one coaching this season, and I will cap my membership once I reach capacity in filling all 7 spaces available in each of the 11 practice slots that are available each week.  In other words, there are 77 individual practice spots open each week... once everyone has booked those out, no new members will be allowed to join unless someone drops out.  To ensure that you get your practices reserved before we book up, I suggest scheduling every practice up to a month in advance on our Online Scheduler.  You can always reschedule or cancel online or by text or phone when things come up, but if we're at capacity and you forgot to schedule, I won't put 8 or more people on the runway at once and dilute the quality of the practice.  Bottom line: schedule online and don't get shut out!  https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=570316

Coaching Changes: Another change in contrast to past years is that I do not plan to hire on any additional coaches to assist me this season.  That is why I am capping my membership.  Experience has shown me that it is almost impossible to eliminate discrepancies among different coaches and consistency and quality is more important than numbers.  Also, I will not be attending track meets during the spring track season, but instead I will teach athletes how to coach themselves and make the proper adjustments during competition so they become more independent.

Group Practice Schedule:  If you are able to begin practice before 4:45 on weekdays, please schedule online for the 4pm session.  If you will begin after 4:45, please schedule for the 5:30 session.  You are always welcome to arrive a little early and warm up on your own.

Private Lessons:

Open Gym: Open Gym is simply access to the gym to train on your own during times when there is no group practice or private lessons taking place.  You may use any of the equipment in the gym, but we have a few rules: 1) If you're under 18 years of age you MUST have a parent or guardian present.  2) You MUST have a signed waiver of liability on file including your health insurance information.  3) You MUST have a current USATF membership on file with us.  4) You agree to pay for or replace any equipment that is damaged or broken during your workout.  Like all services we offer, you MUST schedule Open Gym time online: https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=570316

Upcoming Competitions: I encourage ALL of our vaulters regardless of experience level or age to take advantage of the all-comers competitions coming up in the next few months.  In addition to being fun, competition provides both the athlete and coach valuable feedback as to the effectiveness of your training.  I charge a $40 coaching fee for local meets outside of our gym which includes coaching and equipment.  For in-house meets, members may compete with no coaching fees charged.

Please do not hesitate to email or call myself or Roxanne with questions.  Our office number is 830-620-1175.

Thanks,

Kris Allison
Director
Lone Star Pole Vaulting