Product Description

An athlete’s development from ‘ordinary’ talent to elite accomplishment in sport is a long one. The emergence and fine tuning of high level sport skills takes place in increments over many years and is a journey that fascinates sport scientists, sports coaches and sports fans alike.

Developing Sports Expertise, the first available textbook for undergraduates in sports skills development, examines the science behind sports skill acquisition and explores the application of science to optimal sports training, and talent identification. The text also contains Coaches Corner insets throughout to provide effective day-to-day advantage based on in the text.

Edited by three of the world’s leading scientists in sports skills acquisition and with contributions from both world class coaches and cutting edge researchers, this textbook provides comprehensive, authoritative guide to the field.

Product Description
Coaching in business has come a long way! Once used primarily to deal with problem employees, this powerful tool for building strategic effectiveness and supporting executives through career transitions has become a badge of status for today's high-potential leaders. Although much has been written for practicing coaches, Joan Kofodimos delivers a first-of-its-kind user's guide for coaching consumers. Dozens of checklists, samples, and life-inspired case examples take readers through each and every step of a successful coaching process to benefit participants, coaching sponsors, and the organization's ROI. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good information
Used the steps defined in the book to help a co-worker improve his performance. Very specific and relevant information.

Understanding Executive Coaching
In this easy to read primer - intended for executives considering the application of one-on-one coaching for themselves or someone within their organization - by highly experienced executive coach Joan Kofodimos, the reader gets a complete description of how individual executive coaching works. Starting with a discussion of coaching's potential value; Kofodimos identifies when to use coaching and how to choose a coach; as well as walks the reader through the coaching processes from initial performance contracting to the completion and closure process.

In the opening sections we learn:
* All coaching is not the same - development needs determine the shape of the coaching assignment. The author considers the following three as typical: 1) to address performance issues; 2) to support position transition needs; and 3) to enhance strategic effectiveness.
* Coaching may not be the solution - whether coaching can help depends upon the readiness of both the individual and the organization.
* The coach should fit the need - the coach's competencies and defined role should be identified when choosing a coach.

From the coaching process discussion we learn:
* The distinction between the contracts with the sponsor and the person to be coached
* How the insight phase gathers data, presents feedback, and creates the development plan
* How the development cycle works and repeats itself as new behavioral skills are put into practice
* How closure of the coaching process is really a transition to self-development

In summary, the book is a complete guide to understanding the individual executive coaching process, with a particular focus on individual development. I liked the examples and output samples provided and appreciated the strong emphasis on doing sound background development work (building sponsor as well as coachee commitment, insight development, etc.) before beginning the actual coaching (development cycle) process. I also liked the fact that the author did not feel the need to use her book as a platform to promote herself or her firm, Teleos Consulting - her competency is evident in her understanding of how to do executive coaching. My only regret with the book is that the author might have included a chapter on how the process works when combining organizational coaching (the team element) with one-on-one executive coaching.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

Comprehensive guide to executive coaching
Life coach. Work coach. Fitness coach. Speech coach. Diet coach. How-to-stop-smoking coach. These days, it seems as if anyone with a Web site and slick advertising can promote his or her expertise in the burgeoning self-help industry. So how do consumers separate the charlatans from the legitimately qualified? Joan Kofodimos says that educating the public motivated her to produce "the first comprehensive guide to executive coaching." After all, executives spending an average of $50,000 for a program might as well get their money's worth. Kofodimos knows her stuff, having entered the field 25 years ago, "before the term executive coaching even existed."She explains how executives should select coaches and what they can expect from a reputable program. We strongly recommend that you read this book before embarking on your journey of self-improvement.

A 'must' for any business library catering to upper management patrons.
Informed coaching consumers make good choices and have positive results which can last a lifetime, and YOUR EXECUTIVE COACHING SOLUTION offers plenty of resources and guidelines on how to understanding coaching and evaluate its impact. From choosing the right coach based on experience and fit and tailoring coaching to individual needs to gaining support for behavior changes among colleagues, YOUR EXECUTIVE COACHING SOLUTION offers businesspeople checklists, real-world change cases, and more to supplement and foster the coaching experience, and is a 'must' for any business library catering to upper management patrons.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Product Description
Athletes and coaches are continually seeking ways to maximize efforts in both training and performance. Advanced Sports Nutrition provides the best research- and results-based information and advice that athletes need to gain an edge physically.

Far beyond the typical food pyramid formula, this comprehensive guide presents cutting-edge nutritional concepts tailored for application by athletes in any sport. World-renowned sports nutritionist Dr. Dan Benardot breaks down the chemistry of improved performance into winning principles that ensure an athlete’s key energy systems are properly stocked at all times:

• Time your meals, snacks, fluids, training, and performances to maintain that crucial energy balance throughout each day.
• Digest optimal ratios and quantities of energy nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for any sport.
• Consume the right amount of fluid and electrolytes to avoid dehydration and hyperhydration.
• Identify and maintain a body composition capable of maximal power output with minimal excess weight for specific sports.
• Understand the effects of travel, high altitude, and age on nutritional needs and performance.

The best conditioning regimens and technical instruction are beneficial only if the body’s engine is properly fueled and ready to operate at peak efficiency. Use Advanced Sports Nutrition to ensure that your body is running on the highest-grade fuel every time you compete or train. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Probably a very good book
I ordered this book based on an interview with the author that I heard on NPR.Overall it seemed like a very complete book, but it was far to technical and scientific for me to appreciate it.I gave it 3 stars not because it's not a good book - but it's too advanced for me to give it an accurate review.If you are looking for an easy non technical nutrition book - this isn't it.If you are looking for something a bit meatier, with plenty of scientific technical information - it may be the one you want.

Fantastic Purchase
I have read other sports nutrition books, but this book is by far the best. The writing style is simple, and the research comprehensive. The books touches on all aspects of nutrition and how it affects performance. I recommend it for any serious athlete.

Very scientific
Too scientific for me. This book may be a good reference if you're a sports dietitian.

A worthwhile reference
First and foremost, this exceptional book is not a "one stop reference"; thats an idea that people often look for in a book, that probably doesn't really exist. Quality books should be added to your library, taken for what they are and what they offer, and compared to other similar books to create a bigger picture or understanding as it applies to you...there is no single perfect "way" when it comes to nutrition, much like training for your chosen sport. This book is no exception, it is well researched and exceptionally useful, written by an author that applies what he knows to Olympic athletes. As a strength athlete most interested in powerlifting and strongman types of lifting and competition, the chapters referring to this type of training directly are limited and mostly bunched up with wrestlers, etc. under "power athletes", so it isn'texactly what I was looking for, but it still fits the bill in alot of ways as the info is there just not set out by itself under that title. Advanced Sports Nutrition covers a broad range of sports and has tons of useful information on everything nutrition that can be useful to just about anyone. It covers alot of unique as well as general topics. Join it up with a few more books like Nutrition Almanac and you'll be on your way to having whatever you need at your fingertips. This book is worth your time and money, although like myself, you might not realize the extent if its usefulness until you open it up and start putting things together.

Organization and topics:

Part INutritional Sources for Athletes
-energy nutrients, vitamins/minerals, fluids/electrolytes, and ergogenic aids

Part IINutritional Aspects of Optimal Performance
-timing, absorption, oxygen, and inhibitors

Part IIIFactors Affecting Nutritional Needs
-travel, altitude, gender/age, and body comp/weight

Part IVNutritional Strategies for Specific Energy Systems
-Metabolism for endurance/power (anaerobic/aerobic), and needs for both

Part VNutritional Plans for Specific Sports
-Power/speed sports, endurance sports, and combined power/endurance sports.

Thank you!
As a nutritinal consultant who needed to learn more about sports nutrition, this book really did the job. ... Read more