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Translating promises to results

P. Senthan, an efficient and effective coach

The whole world came crashing down for hurdler P. Sivasundarapandian, when he was weeded out of the sports hostel because of poor performance. But for coach P. Senthan, his career in athletics would have come to a stand still.

He is not the only athlete to have gained from the experience of the 31-year-old employee of Life Insurance Corporation of India.

Senthan's age belies his prowess. His ability to train budding athletes with rich repertoire of sporting techniques has attracted wide attention.

His days as a promising talent in hurdles began at Tiruchi Sports Hostel, where he was trained under the supervision of famous coach Y. Ramakrishnan, who had the credit of grooming former India high jumper N. Annavi.

As a coach

But his transformation into a coach was purely accidental. Whenever he visited Madurai, he had four young boys to run along with him as `pace makers' during training sessions. Gradually, he started to guide the boys on effective techniques and shaped their running style. Soon he found himself more attracted towards coaching boys and the young athletes also favoured Senthan for his sporting skills.

"Initially, I had no other go but to train these boys so that I could shape myself. Later on, I was attracted to it. Once I concentrated on correcting the style of their running, naturally, boys started coming to me seeking assistance," he beams with pride.

His on-field and off-field training schedules have done wonders, as many of his wards have started to perform well in competitions.

If performing well amidst stiff competition is tough, coaching a person to bring out the best is tougher.

On-field training

He has special training modules for jumpers and sprinters. His on-field training starts with warm up and general exercises. After which the trainees have to go through striding and jumping exercises. The basic running techniques are taught to them with sprinting action. He also corrects their high knee action.

"Along with these basic exercises, I ask them to practice running for a particular distance holding the breath. This is not advised for competitions. But once you are able to control your breath, you can do away with collection of lactic acid on the muscles, which is primarily responsible for muscle pull," he informs.

Then starts an advanced training method in which he concentrates on block release. "Proper take off from the blocks is important as it will help the athlete gain enough momentum while running. Moreover, trainees will have to undergo a series of exercises, which include hopping and bouncing. They will also be trained to run using spike shoes," he says.

For the jumpers, the schedule he has in store is hop step, vertical jump, half squat jump, half-turn running actions and jumping drills.

Working pattern

Senthan uses the Armed Reserve Police grounds in Reserve Line for his on-field training. Whenever the ground is unavailable, he goes for off-field training.

"For sprinting, I ask the trainees to do weight training. Then starts an important exercise, `power track' running, during which the athlete runs pulling a load (of specific weight) for a particular distance.

It will definitely improve the athlete's endurance power. I will also make them run downward a slope to better their stride length," he reveals his working pattern.

He also recommends his wards to practise with hurdles, as it will help to evolve a smooth running style.

Primarily, the jumpers too have to undergo the same training schedule. Besides, they will have to practise hopping and galloping if they have to perform well.

He credits his success to the technical guidance of his coach Ramakrishnan and the medical support from his friend, P. Rajasekhar, a physiotherapist.

"My friend is also a fitness trainer and a qualified dietician. He provides me with valuable suggestions on dietary requirements."

His ward, J. Teena Monisha, has already created ripples in the Tamil Nadu Inter-Engineering Sports Meet. Another trainee, S.R. Romaa, is performing creditably well at the State-level school games.

Now he has his own club, Golden Sethu Athletic Club, through which he offers technical guidance to students of Sethu Institute of Technology.

For a man who has relentlessly worked hard for the betterment of his trainees, he seems to be modest in approach.

His service is more remembered, for he never takes money for his work and offers guidance free of cost.

T. SARAVANAN

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