Interview with Andreas Behm (Aries Merritt's Coach)

Last Updated on February 19, 2014 by Jimson Lee

I am starting to enjoy Glenn Whitney’s Blog SportsCoachRadio.com. If you don’t know it, definitely check it out.

In his recent interview, he had Andreas Behm on the show (Original article here)

You can read the article I Want to Run the Most sub-13 Ever and Mike Young’s Interview with Andreas Behm to get more insight on his training, especially the part where Andreas provides a comprehensive explanation of what it takes to go from an eight-step approach to seven steps.

But first, I have to clarify a few things (which irked me).

Immediately after the Olympics and WR, I checked the USATF bio and they still had Vince Anderson listed as head coach (it has since been changed). Okay, maybe some webmasters are slow

First, Norbert Elliot coached Aries in 2005 and 2006, then Vince Anderson coached him from 2004 and 2007.

From 2008-2010, Vince was the lead Coach (i.e. wrote and administered the training) and Andreas assisted. Both coaches were on the track observing and giving feedback to Aries.

Thus Behm’s role grew over those three critical years until it was time for him to take over (officially) in 2011. I cannot stress enough the importance of an Mentor-Apprentice program to develop Elite coaches, something UK Athletes modeled with Kevin Tyler in the helm. Vince paved the path to success for both coach and athlete.

So Andreas was Aires’ coach for the past 2 years (2011 & 2012).

If you want to learn more about Vince Anderson, check out Texas A&M Track & Field Series – Drills and Progressions for Championship Sprint Hurdles with Pat Henry.

Back to Andreas…