During my previous life as a teacher, it was not uncommon for other teachers to recommend candidates to my weightlifting program. Usually, they were kids who looked strong. Some of them were actually quite strong, but more often than not, they lacked other qualities that might help them become successful weightlifters. Those teachers would probably have saved themselves and me some time and effort if they knew what I was about to write about here.
Many beginning coaches or well-meaning parents get carried away with their weightlifting coaching by concentrating on how much weight is being lifted before the athlete is ready to perform maximal lifts. The same can be said about newcomers to the sport with respect to their own lifting progress. While the amount of weight lifted is the primary factor of concern with advanced lifters, there is a wide range of considerations that must be addressed for new lifters.
Before I go any further, I need to let the readership know that I am aware that there is a wide range of participant levels and abilities. We could be dealing with youngsters who have never been athletes to masters with a long history of participation in a different sport or with no history of athletic involvement at all. We’re not even considering the talent factor here, and that can be a major game-changer. So, there is no one size fits all. Optimal results will be reached on a case-by-case basis with an experienced coach, but that scenario could be considered a rarity.
Individual Non-specific Performance Skills
Weightlifting competition places the spotlight on the individual so, any development of individual performance skills is invaluable. Singing, public speaking, dancing, or solo sports backgrounds make for an easy transition to the competition platform. The best ones are those that actually raise their performance level under the glare of the spotlight.
