Coach Your Brains Out, by Gold Medal Squared cover image

Coach Your Brains Out, by Gold Medal Squared

THE BEST: HOW ELITE ATHLETES ARE MADE with Dr. Mark Williams - Part 1

Nov 26, 2020
Dr. Mark Williams, a kinesiology professor at the University of Utah and author of "The Best: How Elite Athletes Are Made," dives into the fascinating world of athlete development. He discusses the crucial role of anticipation skills and how they can be honed through effective coaching. He highlights the importance of gaze behavior, particularly the 'quiet eye' technique, in making split-second decisions. Additionally, he delves into auditory awareness and how elite athletes use sound for strategic advantages, alongside the art of deception in sports.
31:24

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Early influences like family support and competitive access are vital in nurturing talent and shaping elite athletes.
  • Developing anticipation through realistic training environments and engaging multiple sensory channels is crucial for enhancing performance in fast-paced sports.

Deep dives

Understanding the Development of Expertise

Elite athletes are shaped by a combination of environmental factors and prolonged engagement in their sport. The book emphasizes the significance of early influences such as location, family support, and access to competitive play in nurturing talent. Further, it explores the psychological and cognitive adaptations that contribute to a player's game intelligence, highlighting how critical exposure to challenging situations fosters these essential skills. Coaches play a pivotal role in facilitating high-quality practice that mimics real-game scenarios, optimizing the development of expertise among athletes.

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