Really interesting post from @davidhinchliffe on how he uses the constraints-led approach in his own coaching practice.
I was particularly taken with the line “instead of a fault-fixer, think of yourself as a problem-setter…” Or, from an ecological dynamics/constraints-led approach viewpoint, coach as “environmental designer”, perhaps?
Or, maybe, gardener?
Are coaches gardeners?
As coaches, we
- prepare the ground (see Preparing the Ground),
- sow the seeds (put the young player into the growing (or learning) medium),
- or select the best looking young plants from the nursery (talent ID),
- nurture them (provide appropriate “nutrition” and curate an environment where growth is possible),
- train them with lines and canes (set out guidelines and guidance for “best practice”),
- plant them out (when the player is ready, move them on to new and more challenging spaces)…
…but, ultimately, it’s the plant that does the growing.
What do you think? Leave a reply.