#318 Prof Stephen Harvey & Dr Ed Cope - Understanding and Improving Player Learning
Apr 21, 2025
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Prof. Stephen Harvey, a Sport Pedagogy expert at Ohio University, and Dr. Ed Cope, a Lecturer in Sport Coaching at Loughborough University, dive into enhancing player learning strategies. They discuss the crucial balance between theory and practice, emphasizing game-based learning for better engagement. Cognitive load theory plays a key role in optimizing coaching methods, ensuring training meets individual player needs. The duo shares insights on the importance of personalized coaching strategies to foster effective decision-making and player development.
The interplay between practice and theory is crucial in coaching, as it enhances effectiveness and fosters optimal player development.
Understanding cognitive load theory allows coaches to design training sessions that appropriately challenge athletes without overwhelming them.
Scaffolding strategies help coaches adjust the complexity of tasks to better support individual player development and encourage ownership of learning.
Deep dives
Theoretical Foundations of Coaching Practice
Coaching is deeply intertwined with both practice and theory, highlighting the importance of understanding how theory informs practice. Coaches often develop their theoretical frameworks based on observations from real-life experiences, which can be used to enhance their coaching effectiveness. The podcast discusses the role of various theories in coaching, particularly focusing on how they can improve coaching methods and decision-making processes. This grounding in theory allows coaches to critically assess their practices and adapt their strategies for optimal player development.
Understanding Cognitive Load in Coaching
Cognitive load theory is essential in coaching, as it helps coaches consider the mental demands placed on athletes during training. The theory identifies intrinsic load, which refers to the complexity of the task relative to a player's current skill level, and extrinsic load, which is influenced by the coach's instructions and the overall practice design. Recognizing these loads enables coaches to tailor their sessions to provide the right balance of challenge, ensuring that athletes are neither overwhelmed nor under-stimulated. By managing cognitive load effectively, coaches can enhance learning experiences and foster skill development.
The Importance of Scaffolding in Coaching
Scaffolding refers to the adjustments coaches make during practice to provide appropriate levels of challenge and guidance for their players. This can include simplifying tasks or gradually increasing the complexity of activities, allowing players to build confidence and competence over time. The podcast emphasizes the significance of recognizing each athlete's development stage and modifying instruction and practice accordingly to promote effective learning. By implementing scaffolding strategies, coaches can facilitate a deeper understanding of the sport and encourage players to take ownership of their learning experiences.
The Role of Dialogue and Negotiation in Coaching
Effective communication between coaches and players is crucial for successful learning outcomes. Utilizing negotiation techniques, such as asking players to rate the difficulty of an activity, can help coaches assess whether tasks are optimally challenging. This interactive approach fosters a sense of autonomy and ownership among players, which can enhance motivation and engagement. Incorporating dialogue into coaching not only allows players to express their thoughts on the learning process but also guides coaches in adapting their methods for improved effectiveness.
Integrating Multiple Theoretical Perspectives into Coaching
Good coaching practices benefit from synthesizing various theoretical perspectives to create a more holistic approach. The podcast highlights the integration of cognitive load theory, self-determination theory, and the principles of motivational interviewing as key frameworks guiding effective coaching. By understanding the nuances of these theories, coaches can create meaningful learning experiences that foster resilience and skill development in athletes. Ultimately, this combination of theories empowers coaches to make informed decisions that enhance their coaching strategies and facilitate athlete growth.
In this episode I welcome back Prof Stephen Harvey and Dr Ed Cope to the show.
Stephen is Professor in Sport Pedagogy at Ohio University. His research is focused on teacher/coach pedagogy and practice and its influence on student/player learning. Stephen is the Coach Educator Developer at US Soccer Federation and the Head Coach at Ohio Soccer Club.
Ed has been a lecturer in Sport Coaching for over a decade and is currently based at the prestigious Loughborough University. Ed has also worked in football, holding the role of Learning Design and Development Manager at the English Football Association where he was responsible for the design and development of their education courses.
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