Many thanks to @ImSporticus for including this post in his weekly round-up of re-posts — it generated quite a few comments.
This, from Phil Kearney: “As a means to move away from a “versus” mentality, I really like Whitehead’s description of freedom (play) and discipline (practice) as “…two rhythms, now one of which is louder, now the other, but both have a place at all stages in development”
Initial coach training concentrates on developing coaches who can run a “successful” session, where “success” might be defined as “fun” or “purposeful” or “safe” or “active”.
But, all too often, the players can leave a “successful” session having practiced a new skill or tactical formation, but not knowing how or when to use it. And, in a week, or a month, how much of the learning will actually be retained?
Clearly, then, coaching has to be about much more than just Purposeful, Active, Safe & Enjoyable sessions, more than simply “telling”, “ showing” or even “teaching”.
Phil Race’s “Ripples on a Pond” model of how students learn suggests that some “coaching” is merely delivery of an activity.
(more…)Just been re-watching a couple of really interesting webinars from last week — biomechanics of bowling and batting, with Paul Felton and Stuart McErlain-Naylor.
Well presented, and clearly very relevant to anyone coaching in a development or performance environment.
So what was I doing on the call? I coach the U9s…
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