309 - Journal Club #20: Sport Practitioners as Sport Ecology Designers
Jul 2, 2020
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The guests on this episode are Damian Farrow, Alex Lascu, Derek Panchuk, and Carl Woods. They discuss the shift from coach as instructor to coach designer, the challenges of 'hands-off' coaching, the importance of understanding skill acquisition theory, and the need for a consistent purpose across different coaching disciplines.
Coaches are transitioning from instructors to designers, emphasizing interaction and engagement with athletes.
Hands-off coaching requires understanding ecological dynamics and constraint-based skill acquisition.
Simplifying scientific concepts and using practical language helps coaches implement ecological dynamics in their coaching practices.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Instructor to Designer: Challenging Traditional Coaching
Coaches are shifting from being mere instructors to becoming designers in the sporting environment. This transition emphasizes the importance of interaction and engagement between coaches and athletes, rather than providing prescribed solutions. Hands-off coaching is not about being detached, but rather about facilitating the athlete's exploration and problem-solving. Coaches need to understand the ecological dynamics and constraints that shape skill acquisition and performance. However, it is essential to communicate these concepts in a practical and accessible manner for coaches to effectively implement them.
The Complexity of Hands-off Coaching
Hands-off coaching is not an easy task; it requires a deep understanding of the sport and the ability to create a structured environment for athletes to explore. Coaches need to know when to intervene with constraints and when to observe the athlete's natural problem-solving abilities. It involves knowing how to structure drills and activities to prompt specific adaptations. While challenging, adopting a hands-off approach allows coaches to observe emergent solutions and celebrate the athlete's creativity and adaptability within the constraints provided.
The Importance of a Unified Framework and Simplified Language
Coaches can benefit from a unifying framework that informs their coaching practices, such as ecological dynamics. However, the terminology and scientific language associated with this approach can be a barrier for coaches. It is crucial to simplify concepts and use practical language that resonates with coaches' experiential knowledge. Providing case examples and facilitating discussions among coaches can help bridge the gap between scientific theory and coaching practice. The goal is to empower coaches to design their training sessions based on an understanding of the underlying principles and adapt them to their specific context.
The Importance of Observing and Describing Phenomenon in Coaching
Observation and description of the phenomenon in coaching is crucial for understanding the role of the environment and the effects it has on performance. Coaches should take themselves out of the activity and observe what is happening. They should also reflect on their own experiences as athletes to recreate the emotions, feelings, and challenges that athletes face during practice. Coaches should design practices that elicit feedback from athletes to determine the effectiveness of the training environment.
Moving Away from Path-Dependent Coaching
Coaches should avoid relying on traditional methods simply because they have always been done that way. It is important to challenge conventional practices and constantly question why things are being done in a certain way. A reflective approach is necessary to ensure that coaches are not limiting their coaching impact. Coaches should focus on being open to different approaches, gathering options, and thinking critically about their coaching methods to improve skill development and overall performance.
I am joined by Damian Farrow, Alex Lascu, Derek Panchuk and Carl Woods to discuss the article: Sport Practitioners as Sport Ecology Designers: How Ecological Dynamics Has Progressively Changed Perceptions of Skill “Acquisition” in the Sporting Habitat. We discuss: the shift from coach as instructor to coach designer, the challenges of “hands-off” coaching, do coaches need to understanding skill acquisition theory, and the importance of having a consistent purpose across the different disciplines in coaching (via a Department of Methodology).
