Team Excellence by Tim Noakes

Professor TD Noakes OMS, MBChB, MD, DSc, FACSM,Professor TD Noakes OMS, MBChB, MD, DSc, FACSM,
(hon) FFSEM(UK)(hon) FFSEM(UK)
Discovery Health Professor of Exercise and Sports ScienceDiscovery Health Professor of Exercise and Sports Science
MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine,MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine,
University of Cape Town andUniversity of Cape Town and
Sports Science Institute of South AfricaSports Science Institute of South Africa
GBE Pursuing Excellence ConferenceGBE Pursuing Excellence Conference
Somerset West • 1Somerset West • 1stst
October 2010October 2010

Beijing Olympics 4 x 100m Freestyle final.Beijing Olympics 4 x 100m Freestyle final.
Jason Lezak vs Allain Bernard. WhatJason Lezak vs Allain Bernard. What
will happen to Phelp’s Gold Medal?will happen to Phelp’s Gold Medal?
+0.37+0.3747.21 (2)47.21 (2)47.58 (5)47.58 (5)20082008
+0.39+0.3948.12 (2)48.12 (2)48.51 (8)48.51 (8)20072007
DifferenceDifferenceBernardBernardLezakLezakYearYear

How good was Jason Lezak’s performance in theHow good was Jason Lezak’s performance in the
Beijing Olympics 4 x 100m Freestyle final?Beijing Olympics 4 x 100m Freestyle final?
+0.46+0.4647.21 (1)47.21 (1)47.67 (3)47.67 (3)2008 Beijing2008 Beijing
Olympics 100mOlympics 100m
finalfinal
-0.67*-0.67*
(-0.90 for(-0.90 for
final 50m)final 50m)
46.7346.7346.0646.062008 Beijing2008 Beijing
Olympics 4 xOlympics 4 x
100m final100m final
+0.48+0.4846.94 (2)46.94 (2)47.78 (11)47.78 (11)20092009
+0.37+0.3747.21 (2)47.21 (2)47.58 (5)47.58 (5)20082008
+0.39+0.3948.12 (2)48.12 (2)48.51 (8)48.51 (8)20072007
DifferenceDifferenceBernardBernardLezakLezakYearYear
** fastest swim in the race by 0.57 secondsfastest swim in the race by 0.57 seconds
4days4days

The Springboks use theirThe Springboks use their
brains to win the 2007 Rugbybrains to win the 2007 Rugby
World CupWorld Cup

Key focus of support to the 2004-2007
Springboks
Coach’s focus - Consistency of selection to field the
most experienced Springbok team of all time in the
2007 Rugby World Cup
Medical team’s focus - To insure that the best 22To insure that the best 22
players were injury-free and in peak condition for theplayers were injury-free and in peak condition for the
most important games at the 2007 Rugby World Cupmost important games at the 2007 Rugby World Cup

Success in sport is aSuccess in sport is a
matter of inchesmatter of inches
Success demands aSuccess demands a
total commitmenttotal commitment
to perfectionto perfection

Hans Selye’s General Adaptation SyndromeHans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
Hans Selye (1957). The Stress of Life.Hans Selye (1957). The Stress of Life.
Level ofLevel of
normalnormal
resistanceresistance
AlarmAlarm
reactionreaction Stage of resistanceStage of resistance
Stage ofStage of
exhaustionexhaustion
StressStress
R.I.PR.I.P
Goal: Springboks 2007 Rugby World CupGoal: Springboks 2007 Rugby World Cup

Hans Selye’s General Adaptation SyndromeHans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
Hans Selye (1957). The Stress of Life.Hans Selye (1957). The Stress of Life.
Level ofLevel of
normalnormal
resistanceresistance
AlarmAlarm
reactionreaction Stage of resistanceStage of resistance
Stage ofStage of
exhaustionexhaustion
StressStress
R.I.PR.I.P
Springboks at the 2007 Rugby World CupSpringboks at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
England (Wilkinson)England (Wilkinson)
All Blacks (Carter)All Blacks (Carter)
Wallabies (Larkham)Wallabies (Larkham)
Ireland (entire team)Ireland (entire team)
Fourteen SpringboksFourteen Springboks
played too muchplayed too much
rugby in 2009 andrugby in 2009 and
now already in 2010now already in 2010
There is always a costThere is always a cost

The Springboks use theirThe Springboks use their
brains to win the 2007 Rugbybrains to win the 2007 Rugby
World CupWorld Cup
Margins of success inMargins of success in
international sport areinternational sport are
disappearingly smalldisappearingly small
Focusing on physicalFocusing on physical
preparation is likely topreparation is likely to
produce burnoutproduce burnout
Something more isSomething more is
requiredrequired

The hidden aspects of
team preparation
Self beliefSelf belief

Roger Bannister (UK)Roger Bannister (UK)
3:59.43:59.4
66thth
May 1954May 1954
““Mile of the Century”Mile of the Century”
Vancouver Empire GamesVancouver Empire Games
Saturday 7Saturday 7thth
August 1954August 1954
John Landy (AUS)John Landy (AUS)
3:58.03:58.0
2121stst
June 1954June 1954
The Race to be the first to runThe Race to be the first to run
the mile in less thanthe mile in less than
4 minutes4 minutes
SirSir
The GovernorThe Governor
Self - CoachedSelf - Coached
Coached by an AustralianCoached by an Australian
Franz StampflFranz Stampfl

Progress in the Mile record 1931 - 1954Progress in the Mile record 1931 - 1954
3:543:54 4:004:00 4:064:06 4:124:12 Time (min:sec)Time (min:sec)
77
YearsYears
99
YearsYears
Glen Cunningham 1934Glen Cunningham 1934
Jules Ladoumegue 1931Jules Ladoumegue 1931
Sidney Wooderson 1937Sidney Wooderson 1937
Jack Lovelock 1933Jack Lovelock 1933
Gunder Haegg 1942Gunder Haegg 1942
Arne Andersson 1942Arne Andersson 1942
77
YearsYears
““Frankly, I think the four minuteFrankly, I think the four minute
mile is beyond my capabilities.mile is beyond my capabilities.
Two seconds may not sound much,Two seconds may not sound much,
but to me it’s like trying to breakbut to me it’s like trying to break
through a brick wall. Someone maythrough a brick wall. Someone may
achieve the four-minute mile theachieve the four-minute mile the
world is wanting so desperately,world is wanting so desperately,
but I don’t think I can”.but I don’t think I can”.
John Landy, 1954John Landy, 1954

Progress in the Mile record 1931 - 1954Progress in the Mile record 1931 - 1954
3:543:54 4:004:00 4:064:06 4:124:12 Time (min:sec)Time (min:sec)
77
YearsYears
99
YearsYears
46 days46 days
Roger Bannister 1954Roger Bannister 1954
John Landy 1954John Landy 1954
77
YearsYears
““Frankly, I think the four minuteFrankly, I think the four minute
mile is beyond my capabilities.mile is beyond my capabilities.
Two seconds may not sound much,Two seconds may not sound much,
but to me it’s like trying to breakbut to me it’s like trying to break
through a brick wall. Someone maythrough a brick wall. Someone may
achieve the four-minute mile theachieve the four-minute mile the
world is wanting so desperately,world is wanting so desperately,
but I don’t think I can”.but I don’t think I can”.
John Landy, 1954John Landy, 1954

The influence of Australian coachThe influence of Australian coach
Franz StampflFranz Stampfl
““The crucial thing that he (Stampfl)The crucial thing that he (Stampfl)
said was: ‘Well I think you can run asaid was: ‘Well I think you can run a
3:56 mile. If he believed that - I hope3:56 mile. If he believed that - I hope
he did - it certainly was a helpfulhe did - it certainly was a helpful
comment.comment. And he said if you have theAnd he said if you have the
chance and you don’t take it you maychance and you don’t take it you may
regret it for the rest of your liferegret it for the rest of your life”.”.
Sir Roger Bannister. May 6th, 1954.Sir Roger Bannister. May 6th, 1954.

N. Bascomb. Excerpts from The Perfect Mile. P.264N. Bascomb. Excerpts from The Perfect Mile. P.264
The role of the coachThe role of the coach
Chris Chatataway best explained what theseChris Chatataway best explained what these
conversations with their coach provided: ‘It wasconversations with their coach provided: ‘It was
a sort of pre-race mental calisthenics. I woulda sort of pre-race mental calisthenics. I would
say I was tired, and he would explain why hesay I was tired, and he would explain why he
was absolutely convinced that mywas absolutely convinced that my
finishing burst would be strong.finishing burst would be strong.
In a way, I knew he didn’t knowIn a way, I knew he didn’t know
any better than I did whether orany better than I did whether or
not I would win, because it was anot I would win, because it was a
totally unknown quantity, buttotally unknown quantity, but
just hearing someone say thejust hearing someone say the
things … was useful’.things … was useful’.

The influence of Coach StampflThe influence of Coach Stampfl
““Training is principally an act ofTraining is principally an act of
faith. The athlete must believe thatfaith. The athlete must believe that
through training he will becomethrough training he will become
fitter and stronger… He must believefitter and stronger… He must believe
that through training histhat through training his
performances will improve andperformances will improve and
continue to improve indefinitely ascontinue to improve indefinitely as
long as he continues to train tolong as he continues to train to
progressively stiffer standards”.progressively stiffer standards”.
Franz Stampfl, 1954.Franz Stampfl, 1954.
““The great hurdle was theThe great hurdle was the
mental barrier”.mental barrier”.

The philosophy of Coach StampflThe philosophy of Coach Stampfl
““Its simple.Its simple.
All you have to doAll you have to do isis
want to do it enoughwant to do it enough,,
then go and do it”.then go and do it”.

Let’s talk about goals,” he began.Let’s talk about goals,” he began.
“What do you think you can do a mile in?”“What do you think you can do a mile in?”
““This year?” I said. “Oh, I don’t know,This year?” I said. “Oh, I don’t know,
maybe-”maybe-”
““Not this year,” interrupted the coach. “INot this year,” interrupted the coach. “I
mean by the time you’re a senior…mean by the time you’re a senior…
ultimately.”ultimately.”
I’d never really given it any thought. “II’d never really given it any thought. “I
maybe 4:10,” I said… “I’m talking aboutmaybe 4:10,” I said… “I’m talking about
the four-minute mile, Jim. No high schoolthe four-minute mile, Jim. No high school
boy has ever run one. I think you can beboy has ever run one. I think you can be
the first… I’m convinced you can do it.”…the first… I’m convinced you can do it.”…
“Coach, I think you’re crazy!“Coach, I think you’re crazy!

At the time, I had no idea what a four-minute mileAt the time, I had no idea what a four-minute mile
signified. … I was only fifteen years old, basically still asignified. … I was only fifteen years old, basically still a
child. …He was certain of my ability, even if I wasn’tchild. …He was certain of my ability, even if I wasn’t
myself. He had already tutored several very successfulmyself. He had already tutored several very successful
milers and believed in his coaching system. …As difficult asmilers and believed in his coaching system. …As difficult as
it was to make the adjustment to consider myself ait was to make the adjustment to consider myself a
champion, a front runner, as a “good” athlete, I did my bestchampion, a front runner, as a “good” athlete, I did my best
to trust in the coach’s judgment and to believe his words.to trust in the coach’s judgment and to believe his words.
Though I was initially dumbfounded by his prediction, itThough I was initially dumbfounded by his prediction, it
did in fact prove not only to be accurate but to set me ondid in fact prove not only to be accurate but to set me on
target for what would be the essence of my life for sometarget for what would be the essence of my life for some
time to come.time to come.

Paul Tergat, KenyaPaul Tergat, Kenya
Hendrik RamaalaHendrik Ramaala
South AfricaSouth Africa
““What I realise is that once the mind acceptsWhat I realise is that once the mind accepts
anything, the body will respond. … If you don’tanything, the body will respond. … If you don’t
convince yourself that you are going to win, thenconvince yourself that you are going to win, then
you aren’t going to win it. For New York, I haveyou aren’t going to win it. For New York, I have
to tell myself thousands of times that I am goingto tell myself thousands of times that I am going
to win this thing. I have done it before and Ito win this thing. I have done it before and I
must do it again – before the start, at the start,must do it again – before the start, at the start,
during the race and at the finish. I have to tellduring the race and at the finish. I have to tell
myself that I am going to win it and that I ammyself that I am going to win it and that I am
better than the other guys.better than the other guys. You have to talk toYou have to talk to
yourself otherwise you are not going to win…yourself otherwise you are not going to win…
You have to say: ‘Whatever happens I am goingYou have to say: ‘Whatever happens I am going
to win’.to win’. In my opinion, the person who wins theIn my opinion, the person who wins the
race has already won it inside his head beforerace has already won it inside his head before
the start of the racethe start of the race”.”.
Hendrik Ramaala - Lawyer - Johannesburg, South AfricaHendrik Ramaala - Lawyer - Johannesburg, South Africa
But how might self-
belief moderate the
sensations of fatigue
that develop during
exercise?

Josia ThugwaneJosia Thugwane
1996 Olympic Marathon Champion1996 Olympic Marathon Champion
3 seconds is not due3 seconds is not due
to physiologyto physiology..
SecondSecond
but stillbut still
alive.alive.
Winner byWinner by
3 seconds.3 seconds.
NotNot
absolutelyabsolutely
fatigued.fatigued.
CouldCould
have runhave run
faster.faster.
If the brain regulates exerciseIf the brain regulates exercise
performance as we now believe,performance as we now believe,
then the athlete who wins likelythen the athlete who wins likely
“chooses” that outcome by“chooses” that outcome by
believing he (or she) is lessbelieving he (or she) is less
fatigued than are his or herfatigued than are his or her
competitorscompetitors

The role of self-beliefThe role of self-belief
““You have just won theYou have just won the
under-21 Rugby World Cup.under-21 Rugby World Cup.
You will win the 2007 RugbyYou will win the 2007 Rugby
World Cup”.World Cup”.
Jake White on his first meeting with theJake White on his first meeting with the
Springboks - May 2004Springboks - May 2004

J. White with Craig Ray. In Black and White p.1, 2007.J. White with Craig Ray. In Black and White p.1, 2007.
What are my dreams for the future? MyWhat are my dreams for the future? My
greatest dream is to play rugby, especiallygreatest dream is to play rugby, especially
for the Springboks. But even to become theirfor the Springboks. But even to become their
coach.coach.
I have seen how you canI have seen how you can
make people believe inmake people believe in
themselvesthemselves; how you can; how you can
show people that everyshow people that every
single person can be asingle person can be a
winner if you want it.winner if you want it.
Seventeen year-old Jake White’s essaySeventeen year-old Jake White’s essay
on his future goalson his future goals

In the end, the playersIn the end, the players
achieved what the coachachieved what the coach
said they would on the firstsaid they would on the first
day he coached them.day he coached them.

Gentlemen,” Bryant continued,Gentlemen,” Bryant continued,
“life’s battles don’t always go“life’s battles don’t always go
to the stronger or faster man.to the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the manBut sooner or later, the man
who wins is the one who thinkswho wins is the one who thinks
he can.he can.

If you believe in yourself andIf you believe in yourself and
have dedication and pride – andhave dedication and pride – and
never quit – you’ll be a winner.never quit – you’ll be a winner.
The price of victory is high, butThe price of victory is high, but
so are the rewards.so are the rewards.
Paul “Bear” BryantPaul “Bear” Bryant

“Joe Montana came to the San
Francisco 49ers believing he
was extraordinary”.
“My job was to convince him that
he was beyond extraordinary”.
Coach Bill Walsh
5 NFL Super Bowl victories in 12 years

““Winning is not a sometimes thing; it’sWinning is not a sometimes thing; it’s
an all-the-time thing. You don’t winan all-the-time thing. You don’t win
once in a while, you don’t do thingsonce in a while, you don’t do things
right once in a while, you do them rightright once in a while, you do them right
all the time. Winning is a habit.all the time. Winning is a habit.
Unfortunately so is losing”.Unfortunately so is losing”.
Coach Vince LombardiCoach Vince Lombardi

team preparation
IntellectualismIntellectualism

The Bob Dwyer ModelThe Bob Dwyer Model
“…“… the preparation program has changed thethe preparation program has changed the
player’s entire approach to the game. It hasplayer’s entire approach to the game. It has
changed his understanding of how best to preparechanged his understanding of how best to prepare
for a game, his understanding of his body as afor a game, his understanding of his body as a
mechanical apparatus, his understanding of hismechanical apparatus, his understanding of his
own physiology.own physiology. Our experience with theOur experience with the
Australian team has confirmed my belief thatAustralian team has confirmed my belief that
education is itself a motivational tooleducation is itself a motivational tool. The more a. The more a
players knows about his body, the better heplayers knows about his body, the better he
trains, and the better he trains, the fitter and moretrains, and the better he trains, the fitter and more
powerful he becomes, which in turn encouragespowerful he becomes, which in turn encourages
him to want to know more. This is why somehim to want to know more. This is why some
Australian players absorbed the information fasterAustralian players absorbed the information faster
than we could supply it”.than we could supply it”.
Bob Dwyer - The Winning Way - 1992 p110Bob Dwyer - The Winning Way - 1992 p110
““On the field the benefits of the program showedOn the field the benefits of the program showed
up in an improved fitness, strength andup in an improved fitness, strength and
explosiveness. The players’ mental attitude wasexplosiveness. The players’ mental attitude was
changed, too. Because they knew they hadchanged, too. Because they knew they had
prepared themselves well, they played with moreprepared themselves well, they played with more
confidence.confidence. They really believed they were part ofThey really believed they were part of
a top outfita top outfit. Another benefit, I have found, is that. Another benefit, I have found, is that
the players are more receptive to technicalthe players are more receptive to technical
evaluations of their performance.evaluations of their performance. In short, theyIn short, they
have developed the mentality of the elite athletehave developed the mentality of the elite athlete
who knows that it is the extra one per cent inwho knows that it is the extra one per cent in
performance which seperates the best from theperformance which seperates the best from the
second bestsecond best”.”.
Bob Dwyer - The Winning Way - 1992 p110Bob Dwyer - The Winning Way - 1992 p110

Multiple expert modelMultiple expert model

team preparation
CharacterCharacter

The issue of characterThe issue of character
Brown’s ideal player was one of impeccableBrown’s ideal player was one of impeccable
character and intellect. His conception of building acharacter and intellect. His conception of building a
successful football team was based on his determinationsuccessful football team was based on his determination
that the game was as much about people as it was aboutthat the game was as much about people as it was about
strategies, tactics and motivational techniques. Hestrategies, tactics and motivational techniques. He
contended that if he placed the bestcontended that if he placed the best individualsindividuals (not(not
necessarily the most talented football players) in thenecessarily the most talented football players) in the
most advantageous positions, winning would almostmost advantageous positions, winning would almost
come naturally. A Paul Brown individual was one whocome naturally. A Paul Brown individual was one who
was totally devoted to winning football games and waswas totally devoted to winning football games and was
willing to sacrifice his entire lifestyle in order to achievewilling to sacrifice his entire lifestyle in order to achieve
that ambition.that ambition.
Brad Adler. Coaching Matters (2003)Brad Adler. Coaching Matters (2003)

The Issue of Character -The Issue of Character -
And IntelligenceAnd Intelligence
He had to possess an unselfish attitude and never putHe had to possess an unselfish attitude and never put
personal considerations ahead of the organization’spersonal considerations ahead of the organization’s
goal of championship football. In addition, Browngoal of championship football. In addition, Brown
greatly valued a player’s learning capacity. ‘Knowing agreatly valued a player’s learning capacity. ‘Knowing a
man’s capacity to learn before we drafted him helpedman’s capacity to learn before we drafted him helped
us calculate his potential’. In Brown’s system hisus calculate his potential’. In Brown’s system his
intelligence-level measurement was even moreintelligence-level measurement was even more
important than it was with other teams.important than it was with other teams.
He required every player to know the entire playbook.He required every player to know the entire playbook.
Brown felt that if the players were aware of allBrown felt that if the players were aware of all
functions on a given play, there was a much betterfunctions on a given play, there was a much better
chance for a successful outcome.chance for a successful outcome.
Brad Adler. Coaching Matters (2003)Brad Adler. Coaching Matters (2003)

team preparation
Concept of teamConcept of team
CharacterCharacter

But winning the Super Bowl is not the ultimateBut winning the Super Bowl is not the ultimate
victory. And once again, just to make certain we’revictory. And once again, just to make certain we’re
on the same page, it’s not all about football.on the same page, it’s not all about football. It’sIt’s
about the journeyabout the journey – mine and yours – and– mine and yours – and the lives wethe lives we
can touchcan touch, the, the legacy we can leavelegacy we can leave, and the world we, and the world we
can change for the better.can change for the better.
……every year, the topic of my first talk at trainingevery year, the topic of my first talk at training
camp iscamp is familyfamily. I want each guy to understand that. I want each guy to understand that
his family is his first priority.his family is his first priority.
……but we’re still trying to develop that base. I wantbut we’re still trying to develop that base. I want
an organization – and team – that emphasizesan organization – and team – that emphasizes
character, values, and familycharacter, values, and family, and I want it to extend, and I want it to extend
out into the community in a meaningful way.out into the community in a meaningful way.
The final irony is thatThe final irony is that
sport is not actually aboutsport is not actually about
sport.sport.
It is about individuals andIt is about individuals and
teams and the search forteams and the search for
an elusive perfection.an elusive perfection.

Team Excellence by Tim Noakes

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Semelhante a Team Excellence by Tim Noakes

Semelhante a Team Excellence by Tim Noakes (20)

Mais de aodesign

Mais de aodesign (8)

Último

Último (20)

Team Excellence by Tim Noakes