Limerick’s Stephen Lavin - blazing a new trail for the modern coach and player
Nov 3, 2023
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Stephen Lavin, a former Limerick inter-county footballer and school principal, dives into his coaching journey and the development of Game Sense Coaching. He shares insights on integrating physical training with technical skills in youth sports and the importance of a games-based approach. Lavin emphasizes personalized coaching plans and collaboration among coaches for greater effectiveness. He also discusses innovative tools for session planning and the significance of community support through coaching, linking it to charitable initiatives.
Stephen Lavin's transition from player to coach illustrates the beneficial overlap between teaching principles and sports coaching methodologies.
Adopting a games-based coaching approach empowers young athletes to develop decision-making skills through real-time gameplay rather than isolated drills.
The Game Sense Coaching website revolutionizes coaching by providing customizable resources that encourage creative session planning and foster community among coaches.
Deep dives
Comprehensive Pitch Development Solutions
PST Sport specializes in the design and construction of artificial grass pitches tailored for various sports, including football, rugby, and hockey. They provide a full construction service, from initial design to project management, catering to both new installations and resurfacing of existing pitches. With over 500 completed projects across Ireland and the UK, their work meets stringent international standards set by FIFA and other governing bodies. Their commitment to understanding client needs ensures customized solutions for successful pitch development.
Transitioning from Player to Coach
Stephen, a former Limerick footballer, emphasizes his journey from player to coach, highlighting the impact of his teaching career on his coaching philosophy. After dealing with injuries, he became actively involved in the Limerick Football Academy, which greatly influenced his approach to coaching, focusing on a more thoughtful, games-based methodology. This shift has allowed him to leverage his experiences from sports and education to enhance player development effectively. His dual role as principal and coach showcases the interplay between teaching principles and sports coaching.
Emphasizing Games-Based Learning
The importance of a games-based coaching approach is central to Stephen's methodology, allowing young players to learn essential skills through engaging activities. This approach encourages the development of decision-making skills in real-time game scenarios rather than isolated drills, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the game. By integrating skills training with gameplay, Stephen has observed improved performance among athletes, confirming that skills are best mastered through contextual practice. This philosophy aligns with modern coaching trends that prioritize active learning and player engagement.
Reflection and Planning in Coaching
A critical aspect of effective coaching highlighted in the discussion is the value of reflection after each training session. Coaches are encouraged to set clear objectives and evaluate whether these were met, adjusting future sessions accordingly to enhance player development. This reflective practice not only reinforces learning for the players but allows coaches to continuously improve their own methods. By regularly analyzing the effectiveness of sessions and being open to change, coaches can create a more dynamic and productive training environment.
Creating a Resource-Rich Coaching Environment
The introduction of the Game Sense Coaching website has transformed how coaches access resources, offering a wealth of games and training sessions designed for various age groups. Coaches can build tailored training sessions by mixing and matching different activities, with built-in video clips and explanatory materials to enhance understanding. By encouraging coaches to think creatively about session planning and execution, the website promotes a culture of innovation in coaching. This resource not only aids in the planning process but also fosters a sense of community among coaches by sharing best practices and insights.
I want to say a big thank you to PST Sport for their continued support as title sponsor for this project. Go to pstsport.com for world class delivery of all your artificial grass pitch needs.
Stephen Lavin played senior inter-county football for Limerick for the best part of 13 years. Having finished playing several years ago, the school principal now finds himself as the head of the Limerick GAA football development squads, following on from the foundations laid of Paul Kinnerk.
Stephen coaches UL's sigerson team and during covid, himself and his two brothers started a passion project that is now Game Sense coaching. The website is a fantastic resource for GAA coaches with huge amounts of detailed information for coaches of all age groups.
We get into the nuts and bolts of his philosophy on coaching, the overlap between teaching and coaching, lessons learned from Paul Kinnerk and plenty more.
Similar to both of the previous two seasons, I've set up this podcast with a dual purpose in mind, firstly to provide some thoughtful debate for coaches, but I've also linked up with the Lily Daly Foundation, who are a new charity raising funds for the heart ward in Crumlin children's hospital and Ronald McDonald house. For more info, listen to the podcast about the Lily Daly Foundation.
If you found some value in the podcast, it would be great if you could donate any amount, no matter how small to the Lily Daly Foundation through the link here: https://bit.ly/3t9EtfI
If you enjoyed this episode, click on the like button, please share it around, leave a review and follow the podcast.
You can also check out Game Sense Coaching who run an online GAA coaching platform that advocates for a games-based approach that is suitable for teams of all ages. www.gamesensecoaching.com
Thanks for listening.
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