What Do Assistants need to know by Sara Cheatham

Sara Cheatham, Senior RKC wrote this on the private forum for all those who are assisting at the RKC's. I felt it was a great Thread and needed to be posted on my blog. Read it carefully.


1) If you want to re-cert, then be ready to pass the snatch test.
PS. Given the opportunity, you should always choose to re-cert.

2) You will be critiqued on the basic six RKC drills
(more than likely all the assistants will line up and perform the drills at once and together):
-Swing, Clean, Press, FS (Front Squat), Snatch, High-bridge Get-up.
-Be prepared to do all of them as doubles (with a bell in each hand) except for the get-up & snatch, of course.
-Be prepared to do the get-up on each side with a VERY high bridge

3) There are no hard and fast guidelines for being an assistant.
-Your duties are dependant on your Team Leader's style.
-Have sunscreen, water, the chalk bag, and be hands-on with the attendees.
-Know what your group's special duty of the day is (group meaning your TL and their assistants). Usually a group is in charge or trash detail one day, the pull-up bar another day, and sound system stuff another.
-Have someone in mind to volunteer as a "victim" as you go through the practice drills.
Say you're practicing the lying hip bridge on the swing and you notice someone in your group is having a hard time getting that full extension. Pavel will ask, "is there anyone having a hard time getting their hips high" or something of the like. That's your cue to tap your student on the shoulder, raise your hand to get Pavel's attention, and have them run to the center. Be looking for flawed technique during the intermittent practices and mentally choose someone to volunteer.
-Think back to your RKC and what you liked (or would have liked more out) of the assistant or even TL in your group and do that.
-You will have debriefs with Pavel. This includes the TLs and assistants.
Take notes of what you like and don't like about the goings-on of the day. It can be everything from flow of drills to disruptive groups, to how you're set-up in the field, etc.
Pavel, John, and Dennis want to know these things so they can a) keep things the same b) change things c) make modifications where and when necessary.
Do not be afraid to speak up. As long as you present your peace in an objective manner, it will be taken seriously. Do not NOT say something because you think you will hurt someones feelings. Their reaction is out of self-preservation and has nothing to do with you.
Remember we are an organic system and we only get better by knowing what we can improve upon.
-Do not get silly drunk in the evenings. This is not favorable.
-Dennis has probably already told you what to wear.
Try wearing a black shirt and olive or tan (khaki) pants. This looks most uniform. Also be conservative with the other things your choose to wear while assisting. Bright colors will not get you the attention you want. If you choose to wear a hat, scarf, or whatever, make it black. And limit your jewelry to only a wedding band if you have one.