EP36: What Basketball Coaches Can Learn from Volleyball with Kasey Crider
Jan 26, 2024
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Special guest Kasey Crider discusses the ecological dynamics framework's impact on basketball coaching, highlighting the role of relationships and environment in skill acquisition and performance. They explore constraint manipulations in volleyball to improve players' skills and emphasize the importance of learning from different sports and understanding developmental constraints.
Understanding ecological dynamics can enhance basketball coaching strategies by considering relationships and environment in skill acquisition and performance.
Coaches should focus on creating learning environments aligned with athlete expectations, engaging in open dialogue with researchers, and implementing constraint manipulation activities for intentional relationship development in volleyball coaching.
Deep dives
Evolving from Traditional Coaching Methods
Casey discusses his transition from traditional coaching methods to an ecological approach. He explains that his desire for better results led him to seek out a more effective way of coaching. Growing up in an academic family, he appreciated the impact of research and theory. Exposed to ecological psychology, he initially thought it was odd but reached out to Keith Davids and developed a friendship. This opened up a new perspective, and Casey has continued to explore and implement ecological principles in his coaching.
Developing a Vision for Learning in Volleyball
Casey emphasizes the importance of understanding what good learning looks like in volleyball. He suggests that coaches need to consider their own beliefs about learning and the perspectives of their athletes. By aligning coaching practices with athlete expectations, coaches can create learning environments that facilitate development. Casey encourages coaches to engage in open dialogue with researchers and academics to deepen their understanding of ecological dynamics and apply it effectively.
Manipulating Constraints in Practice
Casey shares an example of a constraint manipulation activity used to improve the team's relationship with blocking. They introduced the 'frame the edges composure' drill, where players had to hit the edges of the block in a small space. The drill forced players to interact more frequently and intensely with the block, improving their decision-making and developing intentional relationships. Casey emphasizes the need to differentiate between diagnostic and developmental constraints, focusing on changing behavior and interactions rather than just collecting information.
Moving Away from Traditional Drills
Casey challenges the use of traditional drills, such as 'pepper passing,' in volleyball. He advocates for more creative and game-like practice designs. Instead of generic drills, Casey recommends engaging players in competitive activities that replicate the interactions and relationships of the game. He suggests playing mini-court games to develop skills and improve coordination within realistic game scenarios.
In this episode, Alex Sarama and special guest Kasey Crider delve into an ecological dynamics framework and its impact on basketball coaching. They discuss the series’ new focus on bringing in leaders from different sports to share insights and takeaways that can enhance basketball coaching strategies. Kasey provides valuable thoughts on how relationships and environment play a critical role in skill acquisition and performance.
Key Takeaways:
01:35 - Origin of Casey's Interest in Ecological Coaching
11:39 - Overcoming Coaching Challenges
17:42 - Examples of Constraint Manipulations in Volleyball
24:51 - Unintended Developmental Constraints
29:00 - Observations of Italian Volleyball Practices
35:48 - Conversations with Basketball Coaches and Experts