Coaching Tip: When in Doubt, Go Back to the PVC ✌️

By Coach Nathalie Flores

h, there are moments when you watch an athlete move and something feels off—but you can’t quite pinpoint what the flaw is. Maybe it’s the timing. Maybe it’s the position. Maybe it's something subtle happening too fast to catch.

When that happens, here’s one of the most powerful tools you have:

✨ Go back to the PVC pipe.

🔁 Why Repeating Movements with the PVC Works

In group classes, we often repeat the same drills with a PVC pipe over and over—not because athletes don’t know the movement, but because it strips away complexity and allows both the athlete and the coach to focus on mechanics.

The PVC pipe helps you:

• Slow things down Without load or speed, flaws become obvious. Hip timing, bar path, or stance errors are easier to see in real time.

• Eliminate distractions No worrying about weight, balance, or fatigue. Just pure movement quality.

• Build consistency Repetition under simplified conditions helps rewire movement patterns the right way.

🔍 Coaching Application: What to Do When You’re Stuck

1. Ask the athlete to demo with a PVC If you're unsure where the issue lies, have them reset with a PVC pipe or light dowel.

2. Watch key checkpoints Look at feet, knees, hip timing, bar path, overhead position—slow, deliberate movement will highlight compensations.

3. Cue one thing Once you identify the issue, offer one correction. Layer cues slowly rather than flooding them with feedback.

Rebuild the movement

 Let them practice the correction with the PVC until it becomes more automatic—then reintroduce load.

💬 Final Thought

You don’t always need fancy equipment or slow-motion video to coach effectively. Sometimes, the best way to sharpen your eye is to go back to the basics—and that starts with the PVC pipe.