Coaching and verbal abuse.

There has been a lot of controversy lately about the sacking of Mike Spracklen from the position of men's heavy weight coach (Specificly in recent time the 8+). Apparently he has a very negative way of dealing with his athletes, playing them off each other, picking favourites regardless of their ability, telling them their are useless, giving up during races etc, etc (I don't know the man, he might be completely different I'm just commenting on his apparent treatment of athletes).

While this may be the case is it acceptable if his athletes keep winning meddles? Do the ends justify the emotional abuse and breaking of athletes spirits? My personal opinion to this is that no athlete should have to undergo such things. Athletes, especially at this high a level (world championship/Olympic) have a hard enough time as it is without being told their "useless" and "leaving the team down", rowing is their life, in almost all cases an athlete will be telling them selves it was all their fault and that they let their team down anyway. The only reason I believe Mr Spracklen has achieved the success he has, is due to a few athletes not cracking under this abuse, willing to over look this to train amazingly hard and get a seat in the 8+, (to be honest I would too).


 I believe this abuse is thought to be making the athletes"mentally tough". If anything abuse makes people more fragile. Making them do hours upon hours of rowing to improve technique and fitness or building up your athletes to be able to do erg at crazy intensities is, in my opinion more effective as the athletes then know what they are capable of and will gain confidence from this (oh and also from winning).

This is not to say that I believe no athlete should be told they are not right for the sport of rowing and should quit as I don't think some people are competitive enough to survive and work hard enough in rowing,  but the athlete should be given a chance to prove themselves and the coach must find how to get the most from their athlete as different athletes are motivated and respond to different styles of coaching.