Workout of the Day

But Can You Teach It?

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It was George Bernard Shaw who first introduced the rather scathing idiom that “those can, do; those who can’t, teach.” While Shaw was undoubtedly influential in the arts and politics, I think he missed the mark on this one.

To know is one thing, but to teach what you know is a whole different ball game. Google Search, for example, knows quite a bit; and while Google can certainly be used as a tool to teach, I don’t think we would herald Google as a great teacher. The discerning element here is communication. It’s a bit like taking a dozen ingredients and turning them into a meal -- anyone can have those dozen ingredients in their kitchen, but not just anyone can throw together a beautifully prepared beef wellington. And as such, in a world with no shortage of knowledge but in desperate need of understanding, I’d wager that a) good teachers (in all respects of the word) aren’t as dime-a-dozen as Shaw may imply; and b) we could use a whole lot more of them.

This concept of teaching is of primary interest in our ongoing Coaches’ Prep Course at No Boundaries. We set our sights on what it means to communicate, both specifically (in the realm of movement) and generally, and immerse ourselves in the cycle of practice, critical feedback, and refinement with the aim of becoming master communicators. While the context of Coaches’ Prep Course is movement and athletics, the purpose is much larger. Teaching and communicating are what we like to call transferable skills. A coach who is a master at communicating and teaching a kettlebell is going to be a much better teacher of woodworking than a well-skilled woodworker who is challenged to communicate and inspire.

George Bernard Shaw clearly put considerable value in the “doers” of our world; I think he forgot, though, that not much is done that isn’t first taught.

- PS


6/14/18

  • 3x100’ sled push (AHAP)

Then...

  • 4 rds for time:

    • 200m run

    • 20 wall balls (20/14)