Rhys Desmond

Training Theory & Coaching

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  • Merging repetition & race-practice together

    There’s often a conflict between the old-school coaches who design “drills” focused on repetition, and the new-school coaches who provide actual education toward what players will encounter in a game. But in reality, the two can easily be merged together. You see, game-realistic activities around a specific session topic naturally allow for repetition toward the…

  • Attention to detail when coaching at the elite level

    While coaching ideologies can generally apply across a myriad of ages and abilities, there are a few distinct differences. This includes:1. A greater attention to detail at the high-performance level. 2. A greater attention to position-specific training. 3. More complexity when adapting activities to add challenge/intensity

  • Coaching high-performance athletes

    abilities, there are a few distinct differences. This includes: A greater attention to detail at the high-performance level. A greater attention to position-specific training. More complexity when adapting activities to add challenge/intensity. Let’s break this down!

  • Building logical session flow & implementing rewards

    Today I returned to the classroom for my Coaching & Leadership course for eighty+ undergraduate students. For the first class of the new semester, I facilitated a European Handball session on ‘switching play’, which is a session plan I’ve done plenty of times in the soccer world. Here were some of the key reflections…

  • Falling Water Trail Marathon – Race Recap – “Rocks!”

    It’s the first year of trail for the both of us, we’re both mid-twenties, and we’re both podium finishers at two of Ontario’s craziest trail races now. I think Dylan will be a great training partner to have in the coming months, and I’m so pumped now for The Bad Thing in October, knowing that…

  • Visualization and race-specific training

    I’ve always had a wild imagination. Growing up, I’d play hockey and soccer in my basement for hours on end. Every single time, I’d visualize being the best in the world. I’d break all the records, score the wildest of goals, and mesmerize the commentators every time. When I quit hockey at age 12 and…

  • The art of downhill running

    Much of the advice comes down to training with someone else that is good and watching their lines of travel, doing downhill intervals, or the very true facet of confidence. But you rarely here an elite runner discuss what they do from a technical perspective to run better at downhills. I discuss how to get…

  • Why games-based learning leads to more long-term gains

    As coaches, the vast majority of us want what is best for our athletes. But there still exists a never-ending divide between what is deemed more valuable by the standards of today, as opposed to the ways coaches learned in the past. Modern-day coaches will emphasize fun and enjoyment through games, and old-school coaches will…

  • The power of reframing negative thoughts

    As the self-conscious individuals that we are, it’s impossible to go an entire day with zero negative thoughts entering the mind. Despite the difficulty of that task, I used to subscribe to a ‘no-negativity’ mindset. It’s incredibly important to always think on the bright side and come up with the positives in any situation, but…

  • Sulphur Springs 50k Recap – A photo-finish at the final climb

    My first ultramarathon is officially in the books, and with a third-place photo finish, I feel great about how I executed the race.