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Using drills in coaching can have several potential pitfalls. Drills often involve repetitive and isolated movements that are predefined, lacking the unpredictability and decision-making required in game situations. This can hinder transferability of skills to real game scenarios. Additionally, drills can stifle creativity, problem-solving abilities, and motivation in athletes. By prescribing specific movements and not allowing for adaptability, athletes may become overly reliant on coaches and lose faith in their own abilities.
Instead of relying heavily on drills, coaches can create puzzles and game-like situations to enhance player development. By designing games that incorporate challenges and opponents, athletes have the opportunity to explore different movement solutions and make decisions based on the ever-changing variables in a game environment. This approach focuses on developing adaptability and problem-solving skills, allowing players to find a range of unique solutions. It also emphasizes the importance of perception-action coupling, where movement is defined by the decision-making process.
Coaches need to redefine their perspective on learning and player progress. Rather than measuring learning based on the ability to repeat predefined movements in isolated contexts, learning should be measured by an athlete's capability to adapt to a range of changing variables and make effective decisions in game situations. Coaches can assess learning by observing how well athletes can apply their skills and decision-making abilities in game scenarios. This shift in mindset requires coaches to prioritize principles of play and game fundamentals over strict technical instruction.
Transitioning from a traditional, drill-based coaching approach to a game-based approach is a process that requires time and experimentation. Coaches who have gone through this transition can empathize with the challenges involved and the disillusionment that can come from sticking to old methods. The traditional model of coaching, which focuses on structure and obedience, can strip away the joy and hinder athletes' development. However, adopting a game-based approach can not only make coaching a more enjoyable experience, but it can also lead to better results and improved game appreciation for the athletes. It is a shift towards creating a shared understanding among players, allowing them to make better decisions and develop their own unique capabilities.
The concept of ecological dynamics, rooted in ecological psychology, suggests that human behavior is a response to the environment. In coaching, this means shaping the environment in ways that facilitate adaptation and coordination among players. By designing game-like situations and focusing on shared perceptions and communication, coaches can enhance coordination, decision-making, and movement capabilities. Coaches can use coded words or animal analogies to cue collective consciousness and create a shared understanding of game situations. This approach not only fosters more coordinated movements but also creates a more enjoyable and engaging practice environment, with a focus on developing skills within the context of the game.
Guest: Stuart Armstrong, Head of Coaching and Professional Workforce for Sport England and Host of the Talent Acquisition Podcast
Head of Coaching and Professional Workforce for Sport England and host of the Talent Equation Podcast. Stuart Armstrong joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on sports development, coaching, skill acquisition, and sport science.
Stuart has worked in sports development for the past 20 years. Stuart has held positions in performance and talent development at England Golf, UK Coaching, and the Rugby Football Union which have all focused on creating optimal development environments for young people to thrive and reach their potential. Stuart is currently the Head of Coaching and Professional Workforce at Sport England. He has been responsible for writing and publishing two national strategy documents, ‘Coaching in an Active Nation: The Coaching Plan for England’ and ‘Working in an Active Nation: The Professional Workforce Strategy for England’.
Stuart is a highly regarded public speaker, having delivered keynote presentations across the globe for a range of organizations both in and out of the sport. He is an expert facilitator who leads workshops for organizations striving to support people to be the best they can be. Stuart also owns the website www.thetalentequation.co.uk and is the host of the 5-star rated podcast ‘The Talent Equation’ which is dedicated to providing advice, guidance, and support to people at the cutting edge of coaching and performance development.
Breakdown
1:00 - Pitfalls of Using Drills
8:00 - Evidence-Based Research
10:30 - Problem Solving
16:00 - Alternatives to Drills
20:30 - Perception
28:00 - Traditional Drill
33:34 - 34:09 - B.I. Ads January 2023
34:10 - Game Context
37:00 - Ecological Dynamics
41:00 - Self Determine
46:00 - Finding a Solution
49:00 - Not Overburdening Athletes
56:00 - Fun and Engagement
57:30 - Teaching Systems of Plays
1:03:00 - Ecological Explorations
1:05:00 - Conclusion
Stuart Armstrong’s Bio:
Website: www.thetalentequation.co.uk
Podcast: The Talent Equation Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast/id1209549739
Basketball Immersion
Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion
Facebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersion
Immersion Videos:
Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com
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