One of the best things that young people can do is to improve their own knowledge of the theory of Athletics.
Beginners books:
How to teach series - B.A.F. Guides for Teachers, Coaches & Parents:
 | How to Teach Speed Running, by Richard Simmons |
| How to Teach The Throws, by Carl Johnson |
| How to Teach The Jumps, by David Lease |
| How to Teach Endurance Running, by Phil Banning |
Basic books:
| UK Athletics: Rules for competition handbook |
| |
| Strength Training by Max Jones (B.A.F. book) |
| Mobility Training by Norman Brook (B.A.F. book) |
Intermediate and Advanced books:
Contemporary Theory Technique & Training Series, edited by Jess Jarver from Tafnews Press:
| Sprints and Relays |
| The Hurdles (highly recommended by me) |
| Jumps |
| Middle Distance |
| Throws |
| Long Distance |
Videos
Gold Medal Track & Field Series - great for beginners and intermediate Athletes (as well as Coaches/Teachers) of all ages:
| |
| Jumps |
| Middle & Long Distances |
| Throws |
| Coaching Speed from Human Kinetics - see immediately below |
I have purchased "Coaching Speed" which is a Human Kinetics video. It is based around teaching speed to American Footballers and great for Athletes from other sports such as Football (Soccer if you are outside of the UK), Rugby, American Football and any sport requiring explosive short range powerful sprints as part of the event/sport
I purchase my books by credit card over the telephone. The UK number is: +44 (0)1372 452804. I receive no commissions and the bookshop themselves have not requested that their number be published (they don't even know that it is here). They have a Publications List which they send you with every order, or on request.
You are free to buy your books wherever and however you wish.
Suggest a book? e-mail me at: coach@boja.org
Very often improvements arise out of the Athlete's own "feel" of the event, followed by an understanding of why that "slightly different movement" or "slightly longer stride" or "slightly different hip action" gave a better result. Without that understanding the improvement might be lost.
Another reason why a reading list will be beneficial is that all Coaches are not equal. You may have certain Event capabilities which exceed the level at which your Coach is qualified (or able) to work at. I have noticed many times a perfectly good Young Athlete being taken backwards by a well meaning Coach who does not realise that their teaching methods are counter-productive. A well-read Athlete will be more able to recognise this and move on to another Coach or to discuss their abilities and preferred coaching methods with the Coach: Coaches are taught that there is no harm in being wrong, as long as you recognise it, learn and improve.
Disclaimer:
The books named above are books that I have found useful as a new Coach. They do not represent an official view of any body or club.
It occurs to me that, if I have found that they increase my level of understanding and thereby my ability to teach young people, they may be helpful to the more committed young people, their Parents, Teachers and other Coaches. Athletics is such a closed world and such information is so hard to find that it is published in that spirit alone.
The list is not one where omitted books are deliberately omitted. It shows my lack of wider reading.