Nick Winkelman on Elite Communication, External vs. Internal Cueing, and Coaching Complex Movements
Feb 7, 2025
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Nick Winkelman, Head of Athletic Performance and Science for the Irish Rugby Football Union and author of "The Language of Coaching," delves into the art of effective communication in coaching. He discusses the nuances of internal vs. external cueing, highlighting how different approaches can improve athletes' complex movements. Winkelman emphasizes the importance of clarity to bridge understanding and execution gaps, while also sharing strategies for enhancing emotional well-being and feedback mechanisms to foster growth in both athletes and coaches.
Effective communication in coaching is crucial, yet common misinterpretations can hinder athletes' understanding of instructions and concepts.
Utilizing external cues, which focus on outcomes rather than mechanics, has been shown to enhance athlete performance and skill retention.
Creating an emotionally safe environment is essential for athletes to process information effectively and minimize distractions during learning and competition.
Deep dives
The Role of Coaching in Skill Development
Coaching plays a crucial role in helping athletes reach levels of performance they may not achieve independently. Once athletes develop a generalized pattern in their movement, coaching can guide them to recognize and refine aspects of their technique they may be unaware of. This guidance is vital, as it provides insights beyond what the athlete can perceive on their own, allowing for greater understanding and improvement. Coaches are essential in bridging the gap between where an athlete currently is and where they aspire to be in their sport.
Understanding Communication and Miscommunication
Effective communication is fundamental in coaching, yet miscommunication is a common challenge that arises even among well-intentioned coaches. Coaches must recognize that their messages might be clear to them but can be misunderstood or misinterpreted by athletes. It's important to pay attention to both verbal reactions and non-verbal cues from athletes to assess whether the message was understood as intended. Establishing a feedback loop—where athletes have opportunities to reiterate what they’ve learned—can foster a safe environment and enhance understanding.
The Impact of Emotions on Learning
Emotions significantly influence an athlete's ability to process information and execute skills during practice and competition. Negative emotions, such as fear or frustration from making mistakes, can clutter the cognitive highway necessary for effective learning. Coaches should aim to create an emotionally safe space that minimizes distractions caused by psychological states, allowing athletes to learn more efficiently. Strategies like checking in with athletes and addressing their emotional states can help clear these psychological barriers to learning and performance.
Effective Cueing Techniques
The manner in which coaches provide cues can drastically affect an athlete's performance and skill retention. External cues, which direct attention to the outcome or environment rather than specific body movements, tend to be more effective than internal cues. For example, instead of telling an athlete to 'keep the elbow up' when shooting, a coach might suggest 'aim for the back of the rim,' guiding focus toward the result rather than the mechanics. Using relatable analogies or imagery can also significantly enhance understanding and engagement, allowing athletes to connect with the movement more organically.
Adapting Communication for Training Versus Competition
Coaching strategies and the communication of cues should differ between training sessions and competitive scenarios to suit the context of performance. During training, coaches may provide detailed technical guidance to develop skills, but during competition, the focus should shift toward concise cues that maintain clarity without overloading the athlete. When athletes are performing in a game, external cues that encourage focus on the task at hand are ideal, reducing internal distractions. Coaches need to practice flexibility in their cueing strategies, ensuring that athletes can intuitively execute learned skills when it matters most.
Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the Head of Athletic Performanse and Science for the Irish Rugby Football Union, as well as author of the highly successful book, The Language of Coaching, Nick Winkelman. In this highly detailed discussion the trio dive into Coach Winkelman's thoughts on miscommunication amongst teams, and where things go wrong, internal vs. external cueing, the use of analogies for teaching movements, and much more.
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