Why is a five-step teaching progression beneficial for athletes?

A five-step teaching progression is beneficial for athletes primarily because it allows focusing on one part of the movement at a time. This methodical approach breaks down complex lifts into manageable segments, enabling athletes to concentrate on mastering each part before progressing to the next. By isolating the components of a movement, such as the setup, lift-off, and catch phases in weightlifting, coaches can address specific technical elements, making corrections and providing feedback tailored to that particular segment. This focused attention helps athletes develop better habits, enhance their understanding of proper technique, and ultimately improve their performance.

In contrast, while minimizing time spent on each movement may seem advantageous, it's more important in this context to ensure that athletes fully grasp each part of their technique. Emphasizing the use of heavier weights does not align with the goal of skill acquisition, especially for novice lifters who need to master technique before loading the bar. Lastly, the assertion that no prior assessment of skill is necessary undermines the foundation of effective coaching, as understanding an athlete's current abilities is crucial for tailoring the progression appropriately.