3E’s Programme
Mel Eves has had years of experience as a top level professional footballer together with over 20 years advising both seasoned professionals as well as up-and-coming younger players. During this time he has extensively researched into the fields of human potential, health, nutrition and personal development. He has subsequently developed a combination of processes that are shown to leverage three critical areas,
M
Exercise
L
Eating
V
Emotions
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These categories, properly combined will produce real and lasting results.
We call this the ELEVEN Sports 3E’s programme.
Concepts
Most clubs have highly professional staff whose job is to get the best performance from their players. The 3E’s program in no way conflicts with their work. It is a specialist additional resource which operates in the background. It provides a valuable tool to assist the coaches and managers to draw out that last few percent from their players. It is this last few percent that makes the difference between success and failure, winning and losing. Over a long season when winning titles, cups, European places, promotions or avoiding relegation, every edge you can get is vital. The 3E’s program delivers this on a consistent basis because of the power of the process and the experience of the team who deliver it.
History
Always wanting to find out more about how to improve an athlete’s performance, Mel Eves spent many years continually examining techniques and methods, testing them (many times on himself), talking with players, managers, coaches, doctors and scientists to find out and understand what works, and what doesn’t.
Now, he has put together that learning into the 3 areas he identifies as the most important keys to unlocking that extra few percent of the performance spectrum.
The ‘3E’s
We are bodies and minds. Our bodies move, consume fuel and our minds think.
Restrict movement, put in the wrong fuel and ply the mind with wrong thinking - you know the result. Understand and adopt the correct mechanics for movement, determine the best fuel for the individual body and learn to think in ways that add to performance, then the results will be apparent for all to see. That’s what the 3E’s are all about.
Exercise - the First E
When we move, we use energy. If we move inefficiently we need more energy to cover the same distance and this limited resource runs out sooner. On the other hand, players who move efficiently with the correct mechanics will move faster with less effort. The processes we use include one-to-one coaching from a former Great Britain Olympic sprints coach. Each player is assessed and taken through a program that corrects inefficient movement patterns and provides a personalised exercise programme. The results of better technique are obvious, not only faster acceleration and higher top speed, but less obvious advantages like, fewer injuries and much more energy available later in the game. Our experience shows that the majority of footballers are not taught the mechanics of movement, so aren’t aware of the techniques of how to run and accelerate properly. They therefore aren’t as fast and mobile around the pitch as they could be, so won’t achieve their full potential. Engaging the principles of the First E corrects this and gives the player much better performance.
Eating - the Second E
Like any high performance vehicle, the fuel put into it is critical. The fuel put into an F1 car is not the same as you put in a family saloon. So it is with athletes. Much work has been done on nutrition and most players and managers know a good deal about it. However it is important to understand that we all have our own unique DNA and therefore every player will have their own specific dietary requirements. A one-size-fits-all policy may be OK for the general public but it’s not for professional athletes. Whilst serious food allergies can become obvious, few people will know about any food intolerances they might have. However, for the athlete, the slightest intolerance will make a difference because it will impact the effectiveness of last few percent on their performance spectrum. It’s vitally important therefore to become aware of anything that can impact on a player's performance. The Second E is about discovering what these might be for each individual and making the necessary modifications to avoid these problems. In some cases the results are remarkable.
Emotions - The Third E
This Third E uses scientifically proven techniques to help players get themselves 'in the zone'. This means that they perform instinctively in the moment and allow their intuition to guide them effortlessly through the match. We’ve all seen examples of players having too much time to think and either losing the chance or making the wrong decision. This means that players will be able to perform consistently well when under pressure and take what otherwise might be stressful situations in their stride. They are also less likely to act inappropriately and will be able to produce a higher quality of decision making in key situations. The results of this will show up on all areas of their game.
(In addition we deliver specific personal performance coaching either one to one or in small groups. This has proven to be highly effective at broadening players’ attitude and awareness, leading in some cases to a vastly improved game.)
Delivery
Much of the 3E’s individual program is delivered onsite – either at the player's training ground or facility (First E), a suitable private office, or our own office (Second and Third E’s). Certain parts of the Third E can be done over the phone so the participants don’t have to travel.
We also run introduction days for interested players and managers, as well as working with entire squads. Please contact us for further details.
There are a number of program levels available to suit player’s particular needs.
These vary in both time spent and content. For example an entry level 3E’s program would take place over approximately 2 months in which time the player will receive an analysis of his diet and recommendations, regular sessions on Exercise, with a set of simple exercises to do between sessions, regular specialist 3Es performance coaching and training in tools and techniques for controlling emotions. The player will gain an insight into the possibilities and options they may have, plus better movement patterns, generally a noticeable change due to diet modification and greater maturity and confidence through the coaching process.
Intermediate levels build on these but last for 6 months and have additional content, and top level programs are for a whole year and include a wider management option covering even more topics for leveraging performance at the highest level.
Mel Eves on the 3 E's and the World Cup
Roger Walters introduces himself and his work as part of the First E Programme
