Carl Lewis Teaches “The Perfect Method”

Carl Lewis Teaches “The Perfect Method”

By Jeff Benjamin

Carl Lewis has always possessed a strong mind and a strong body. The Greatest Olympic competitor of them all used qualities such as goal-setting, drive and desire to amass nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight golds throughout an illustrious career.

Even now Lewis, who was in NYC last month to be honored by USA Track & Field with the “Legend Award” still possesses those championship qualities.

And let’s not forget the focus either!

“I really want to get Americans back on the top podiums again,” said Lewis, who nowadays, is the assistant track and field coach at the University of Houston, and also works at his alma mater under his old friend and teammate Head Coach Leroy Burrell, himself a former world record holder at 100 meters. These days Lewis hopes to see his Houston Cougars continue to rise to the top. “But we are developing over the long term,” Lewis emphasized. “We’re not in the business of time chasing, that will take care of itself.” Just last year Cameron Burrell ran a 9.93 100 meters, besting his father/coach’s best career time. “We also have Elijah Hall and John Lewis, who we feel is developing as well…We’re really building a solid post-Collegiate team.”

Lewis also values the importance of an education for his athletes. “My biggest regret was not staying at Houston for 4 years,” said Lewis, who went into the Word-Class Track and Field world and then on to athletic immortality. “I wish Coach Tellez and my parents had said “Finish!”

“But that’s the catch-22.”

Lewis is now a proponent of the full college experience. “When we recruit, we emphasize that the primary goal is to get a degree,” said Lewis. “Look at Elijah Hall and Cameron Burrell–Elijah has 3 kids and is getting his degree in May and he could’ve left.”

Hall, who made last years’ world championship team at 200 meters got that taste of the World-Class environment, replete with race promoters, agents and cash. “But he said, “I’m going to get my degree for my children,” said Lewis, who also noted the same temptation felt by Cameron Burrell. “They’re great role models,” said Lewis. “They show, especially to the freshman, that they’ve learned how to manage their life and that college builds a brand for themselves.” Lewis also heaped praise on one of Oregon’s greatest Runners. “Just look at (Ed) Cheserek!”, said Lewis of the multi-NCAA Championship Medal Winner.

“He gets the importance of commitment.”

While very content with his collegiate coaching (“I’m very fortunate”), Lewis still felt he could offer more. “As I began to coach, I saw many kids come to me with a lack of fundamentals,” said Lewis, lamenting how Phys Ed/Gym classes from the elementary right through high school is not emphasized throughout the country as it once was. “There’s no PE in school where the old track coach would be the teacher of the class.”

That has led Lewis sometimes to play a little catch-up with recruits. “Modifying techniques is what I call it,” said Lewis, emphasizing how the step counting for jumpers, rhythm drills and leg lifting are all part of his parcel for greatness.

And let’s not forget the focus. “No earphones, modify technique, no distractions and a full warmup with no distractions,” said Lewis, who noted these habits at times are forced upon his freshmen. “It is a challenge to get the kids to it, otherwise the focus is lost,” said Lewis.

Still not satisfied, Lewis has now looked to offer his ideas and training concepts outside of the College scene. “I remember driving one day and seeing this woman jogging,” said Lewis, who noted her form. “Her arms were railing all over and she had no form of any good biomechanics whatsoever.”

This observation led Lewis to an idea. “With the internet’s ability to literally reach more people than ever before, why not offer Sprinters, Runners and Field athletes a place where I can get involved with their training and use the new medium to teach fundamentals?”

“That’s how “The Perfect Method” was born!”

The intro part of the program is free, according to Lewis. “Everyone can join and learn how to have less injury and better performance. I also think this site is vital to young coaches.”

Since January of 2017, “The Perfect Method” has grown. “We have a relationship with the AAU and we have people signing up from all over the world, especially China and Australia,” said Lewis.

And why not? It’s not everyday one of the most iconic athletes ever offers training methods and advice, and fields questions as well. “The site is designed as a 2-way street,” said Lewis. “It’s a site for all athletes including 5K runners and I want athletes and coaches to be a part of it too and ask questions. I emphasize to them to please ask the dumbest questions!”

With this combination of advice from others as well, Lewis wants the participants to, “make their own gumbo, to make “The Perfect Method” to be their perfect self.”

“My Goal is to teach everyone on earth success.”

Bell Lap– I am very grateful for all the help in writing this piece to Coach Leroy

Burrell, Kerry Baer Sprick, and especially to Carl Lewis, who I’ve had the great pleasure to know for over 30 years, when Coach Joe Douglas introduced me.

There is one more great anecdote Carl shared with me that I couldn’t fit in the story but would like to share. When talking about all the great 100 meter sprinters, Carl spoke with me about 1972 100 and 200 Meters Gold Medalist Valeriy Borzov. The Soviet athlete didn’t fit the physique many of the traditionalists would look for in one of the world’s fastest men. “You know how he joined Track?” asked Lewis. “When he was a youth in a class the kids were told to run with a soft piece of paper in their mouths, and Borzov’s paper in his mouth was the least crushed!”

That kind of facial relaxation technique was what those coaches were looking for. “It’s all about relaxation,” Said Lewis. “The more relaxed the faster you run.”

“You’re like a rock skipping on water.”