---
title: Can We Make It A Two-Way Street?
description: BSMPG is the industry leader in educational resources.
image: https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5409551-png/images/c--documents_and_settings-a.horne-my_documents-my_pictures-twoway.png
---

[![BSMPG Logo](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BSMPG_June2016-theme_Images/logo.png?width=570&name=logo.png "BSMPG Logo")](https://www.bsmpg.com/)

# Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog

## [Can We Make It A Two-Way Street?](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/60954/Can-We-Make-It-A-Two-Way-Street)

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Mar 14, 2011 @ 07:03 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![athletic training resources](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5409551-png/images/c--documents_and_settings-a.horne-my_documents-my_pictures-twoway.png)

 

As an athletic trainer I provide regular and constructive feedback to my patients.  Statements such as “Relax your traps and pinch your scapulas together,” or “Maintain this position,” or “Nope, you need to contract this muscle first,” routinely roll off my tongue.  All these corrections and advice are focused on getting my patients better.  Without supervision, oversight, and criticism of a patient’s treatment or rehabilitation plan I am doing them a disservice.

Observing a strength and conditioning session performed by a colleague the other day, I was quite impressed with the enthusiasm, motivation, and feedback he provided.  Echoing through the weight room are words of wisdom like “Don’t let your knees go over your toes,” or “Head up, chest out,” or my all time favorite “Do it right and we will get bigger, faster, stronger today.”  Immediately reflecting back on that day, I took away how much attention, education, and constructive criticism went into that one session.  All of these qualities demonstrated during the training were essential for the improvement of the athlete.

We owe it to our athletes to be critical of their performance.  We need to educate them all the time on items such as proper technique and appropriate activation of muscle. Without these pieces of feedback their recovery will be delayed or performance progression inhibited.  Going to extreme measures to provide appropriate feedback to our athletes are what quality athletic trainers and strength coaches do.  So I ask myself, why do we walk down a one way street?

When is the last time you critiqued your co-worker?  Can you recall correcting their treatment plan with validated research?  Have you changed a peer’s practice pattern by suggesting a more appropriate exercise?

As athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches are we doing a disservice to our profession by not providing timely and appropriate feedback of each other.  Why are we so afraid to be critical of one another, yet in the next breathe assess our athletes all for their benefit? 

Challenge yourself to not be defensive when a colleague points out something you are doing wrong, or shows you a better way (I mean we can’t be right all the time).  Embrace that opportunity as a way to get better.  Take some ownership in educating the person next to you; demand them to be critical of you.  If feedback is so important to those we service every day, it must be important for our improvement as well.

So ask yourself, can we make it a two-way street?

**Scot Spak** EdM, ATC, CSCS  
Athletic Trainer   
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 

 Topics: [basketball conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference), [athletic training conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference), [boston hockey summit](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit), [athletic training](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training), [boston hockey conference](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference), [Scot Spak](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/scot-spak)

### Barefoot in Boston now available on Amazon.com

“The residents who live here, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current and so went to work inventing ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look UPSTREAM to see who was pushing the victims in.”

Learn what is hurting your feet and your performance, and how to finally train your feet the way they were meant to be.[![barefoot in boston](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5407262-png/images/barefoot.kindle.png)](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barefoot+in+boston&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abarefoot+in+boston&ajr=8)

### Follow Me

<http://www.youtube.com/user/bsmpg><https://www.bsmpg.com/CMS/UI/Modules/BizBlogger/rss.aspx?moduleid=113433><https://twitter.com/BSMPG_1>

### Subscribe to BLOG by Email

### Most Popular Posts

### Purchase Charlie Weingroff's DVD HERE!

[![tequalsr2 lr](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hub/52884/file-865742913.jpg?width=284&height=115&name=file-865742913.jpg)](http://tequalsr2.com?family=70efdf2ec9b086079795c442636b55fb)

### Browse by Tag

- [achilles pain (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/achilles-pain)
- [acute pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/acute-pain)
- [Adam Naylor (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adam-naylor)
- [Adriaan Louw (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adriaan-louw)
- [Al Smith (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/al-smith)
- [Alan Grodin (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-grodin)
- [Alan Stein (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-stein)
- [allen gruver (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/allen-gruver)
- [Andrea Hudy (25)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andrea-hudy)
- [Andreo Spina (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andreo-spina)
- [Andy O'Brien (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andy-obrien)
- [ankle problems (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ankle-problems)
- [Announcements (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/announcements)
- [Art Horne (132)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/art-horne)
- [athletic trainer (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-trainer)
- [athletic training (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training)
- [athletic training books (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-books)
- [athletic training conference (209)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference)
- [autonomy (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/autonomy)
- [Barefoot in Boston (40)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-in-boston)
- [barefoot running (15)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running)
- [barefoot strength training (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-strength-training)
- [barefoot training (18)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training)
- [baseball conference (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/baseball-conference)
- [basketball conference (153)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference)
- [basketball performance (70)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-performance)
- [Basketball Related (37)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-related)
- [basketball resources (76)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-resources)
- [basketball seminar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-seminar)
- [Basketball Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training)
- [basketball training programs (84)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training-programs)
- [basketball videos (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-videos)
- [Ben Prentiss (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ben-prentiss)
- [Bill Knowles (48)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bill-knowles)
- [blunder (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/blunder)
- [Bobby Alejo (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bobby-alejo)
- [Boo Schexnayder (10)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boo-schexnayder)
- [boston hockey conference (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference)
- [boston hockey summit (101)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit)
- [boston marathon (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-marathon)
- [Boston Promise (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-promise)
- [Brandon Bovee (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brandon-bovee)
- [Breathing Disorders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders)
- [Brendon Ziegler (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brendon-ziegler)
- [Brian McCormick (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brian-mccormick)
- [Brijesh Patel (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brijesh-patel)
- [Brook Lopez (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brook-lopez)
- [Bruce Williams (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bruce-williams)
- [BSMPG (79)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg)
- [BSMPG baseball conference (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-baseball-conference)
- [BSMPG Summar Seminar (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summar-seminar)
- [BSMPG Summer Seminar (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar)
- [Cal Dietz (45)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cal-dietz)
- [Catapult (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/catapult)
- [Charlie Weingroff (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/charlie-weingroff)
- [children's hospital boston (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/childrens-hospital-boston)
- [chris chase (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-chase)
- [Chris Joyce (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-joyce)
- [Chris Powers (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-powers)
- [Christopher McDougall (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/christopher-mcdougall)
- [Chronic Pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain)
- [Clare Frank (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/clare-frank)
- [Cleveland Cavs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cleveland-cavs)
- [concussion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion)
- [concussion management (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion-management)
- [Conditioning-Agility-Speed (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conditioning-agility-speed)
- [conference video (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conference-video)
- [Core Stability Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/core-stability-training)
- [Craig Liebenson (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/craig-liebenson)
- [customer service (28)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/customer-service)
- [Dan Boothby (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-boothby)
- [Dan Gilbert (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-gilbert)
- [Daniel Coyle (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-coyle)
- [Daniel Lieberman (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-lieberman)
- [Dartfish (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dartfish)
- [Dave Tenney (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dave-tenney)
- [deadlift Art Horne (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/deadlift-art-horne)
- [Derek Hansen (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hansen)
- [Derek Hanson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hanson)
- [Devan McConnell (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/devan-mcconnell)
- [development (31)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/development)
- [discipline (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/discipline)
- [DNS (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns)
- [DNS course (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns-course)
- [Don Callahan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/don-callahan)
- [Dorsiflexion (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dorsiflexion)
- [Dr. DiMuro (8)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dr-dimuro)
- [Dunk Shot (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dunk-shot)
- [dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dynamic-neuromuscular-stabilization)
- [Eric Oetter (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/eric-oetter)
- [Erik Helland (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/erik-helland)
- [everything basketball (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/everything-basketball)
- [evidence based medicine (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-medicine)
- [Fascial Distortion Model (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fascial-distortion-model)
- [FAT-Tool (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fat-tool)
- [female basketball (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-basketball)
- [female strength training (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-strength-training)
- [Fenway Park (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fenway-park)
- [Fergus Connolly (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fergus-connolly)
- [Flexibility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flexibility)
- [flow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flow)
- [FMS (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fms)
- [Food Rules (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/food-rules)
- [foot fracture (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-fracture)
- [foot pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-pain)
- [Foot Strike (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-strike)
- [football off-season workouts (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/football-off-season-workouts)
- [functional movement screen (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-movement-screen)
- [Functional Performance Training (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-performance-training)
- [Functional Range Release (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-range-release)
- [George Mumford (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/george-mumford)
- [Gerry Ramogida (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gerry-ramogida)
- [Good to Great (43)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/good-to-great)
- [Gray Cook (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gray-cook)
- [Guest Author (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/guest-author)
- [Health (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health)
- [Health & Wellness (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health-wellness)
- [Hip Hinge (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hip-hinge)
- [hockey conference (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-conference)
- [hockey DVD (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-dvd)
- [hockey videos (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-videos)
- [Human Locomotion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/human-locomotion)
- [Inigo Mujika (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inigo-mujika)
- [innercity weightlifting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/innercity-weightlifting)
- [InsideTracker (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/insidetracker)
- [inspiratory muscle training (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inspiratory-muscle-training)
- [integrated care (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/integrated-care)
- [iowa football (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/iowa-football)
- [Irene Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/irene-davis)
- [james anderson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/james-anderson)
- [Jay DeMayo (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-demayo)
- [jay-z (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-z)
- [Jeff Cubos (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jeff-cubos)
- [jerry mcguire (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jerry-mcguire)
- [Jim Snider (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jim-snider)
- [jj barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jj-barea)
- [Joel Jamieson (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/joel-jamieson)
- [John Berardi (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-berardi)
- [John DiMuro (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-dimuro)
- [john sullivan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-sullivan)
- [john wooden (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-wooden)
- [Jonas Sahratian (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jonas-sahratian)
- [Jose Fernandez (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-fernandez)
- [jose juan barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-juan-barea)
- [Keiser (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keiser)
- [Keith D'Amelio (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keith-damelio)
- [Kettlebell Instruction (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kettlebell-instruction)
- [Kevin Durant (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-durant)
- [Kevin Neeld (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-neeld)
- [knee pain (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/knee-pain)
- [Landon Evans (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/landon-evans)
- [Leaders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders)
- [Leaders in Performance (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders-in-performance)
- [Leadership (30)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leadership)
- [LeBron James (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/lebron-james)
- [Leon Chaitow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow)
- [Logan Schwartz (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/logan-schwartz)
- [managing (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/managing)
- [Marathon Monday (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marathon-monday)
- [Marc Bubbs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marc-bubbs)
- [Marco Cardinale (26)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marco-cardinale)
- [Mark Cuban (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-cuban)
- [Mark Lindsay (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-lindsay)
- [Mark Scappaticci (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-scappaticci)
- [Mark Toomey (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-toomey)
- [Marvin Chun (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marvin-chun)
- [mastery (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mastery)
- [Matt Jordan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/matt-jordan)
- [mental toughness (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness)
- [mental training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-training)
- [Mike Boyle (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-boyle)
- [Mike Curtis (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-curtis)
- [Mike Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis)
- [Mobility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility)
- [moneyball (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/moneyball)
- [Mosley (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mosley)
- [motivation (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motivation)
- [Motor Control (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-control)
- [Motor Learning (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning)
- [Movement (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement)
- [movement impairments (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement-impairments)
- [NBA (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nba)
- [Neil Rampe (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/neil-rampe)
- [networking (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/networking)
- [nike free (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free)
- [Noraxon (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/noraxon)
- [northeastern (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern)
- [northeastern university (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern-university)
- [off season training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/off-season-training)
- [orthopedic assessment (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-assessment)
- [orthopedic risk factors (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-risk-factors)
- [Ownership (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ownership)
- [Pat Riley (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pat-riley)
- [patient centered care (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patient-centered-care)
- [Patrick Ward (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patrick-ward)
- [Pavel Kolar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-kolar)
- [Pavel Tsatsouline (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-tsatsouline)
- [Perform Better (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/perform-better)
- [Performance Directors Meeting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-directors-meeting)
- [performance testing (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-testing)

© 2020 Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC