The Constraints Collective

This week we are joined Timo Jaakkola, Sami Kalaja, and Pauliina Vastamäki, organisers of the The International Motor Skills Acquisition Conference.We discuss the forthcoming conference that will run from March 26th to 28th, 2025. Full conference details in the link below. Link to conference registration Event Registration - Kisakallio

Eric Brymer is an AHPRA registered psychologist, endorsed sport and exercise psychologist and board approved supervisor. He is also a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society and Associate Professor at Southern Cross University.Eric is interested in the psychology of performance, wellbeing and learning in adventure and nature-based contexts. His research is particularly focused on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and wellbeing and the design of effective interventions.Enjoy!

Georgia Askew is a skill acquisition specialist with Para Table Tennis, Australia. She is also a Ph.D. candidate at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, studying the integration of skill acquisition with paralympic coaches and athletes. Georgia is also a Melbourne Storm fan!Links to Georgia's academic publicationshttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.848735/fullhttps://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/iscj/11/1/article-p154.xmlhttps://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003184430-8/role-skill-acquisition-coach-athlete-development-paralympic-sport-ross-pinder-daniel-powell-stephen-hadlow-georgia-askew-ra%C3%B4ul-oudejansEnjoy the show.

Jim McKay, an accomplished Australian rugby union coach with experience in elite teams like the Queensland Reds and Wallabies, shares his coaching journey. He discusses the balance of structured and unstructured play, the impact of environmental factors on training, and the importance of adaptability and community. Jim emphasizes fostering player autonomy, 'organized chaos' in practice sessions, and the necessity of effective communication in coaching. His insights combine personal anecdotes with data-driven strategies, highlighting the transformative power of coaching in rugby.

Dr. Alex Lascu, a skill acquisition researcher at the University of Canberra and Victoria University, dives into the non-linear approach to coaching and player development. He emphasizes the need for flexible coaching strategies that prioritize enjoyment and intrinsic motivation. By discussing the challenges of traditional methods, he highlights the significance of meaningful interactions and learning through failure. The conversation also explores accessible cricket formats for young players, fostering a lifelong love for the sport.

In this episode we introduce our Patreon site. The site will be updated on the 1st of every month with access to a range of education materials. In addition to education materials we will also be hosting a monthly get together on Zoom.Check out the site at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective

Ana Ramos is a lecturer at the University of Porto, an experienced volleyball coach, and a researcher dedicated to sports training and pedagogy. She discusses the interplay between coaching practice and research, emphasizing the value of action research in refining strategies. The conversation explores balancing statistical insights with intuitive understanding, and the importance of adaptive coaching for player growth. Additionally, Ana highlights the role of video analysis in developing tactical awareness and the need for continuous improvement in coaching practices.

In this episode with discuss the challenge of changing the tackle height in rugby league. Does this challenge need a shift in focus away from solving problems for players to providing environments that set problems and challenges for players to solve?To help us make sense of this issue we are joined by Anthony Sullivan and Cameron Owen. Anthony Sullivan is a Welsh former professional dual code international rugby league and union footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He played representative level rugby league for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Hull KR and St Helens. He has experience of coaching both rugby union and league.Cameron Owen is a research fellow in sports performance with an interest in research and statistical methods. Currently this is primarily focused on concussions and head acceleration events in rugby league. Additionally, he has a strong practical background providing physical performance in several sports including rugby league, diving, rugby union and netball. This combination of experiences gives him an unique perspectives on the application of research in sport and identifying key areas for academia to focus.

Carl has over 20 years of experience in teaching and coaching rugby. He is currently the Coach Education Manager and Performance Lead at the National Rugby League (NRL), where he collaborates with the National Education Program Development team to design, develop, and deliver a sustainable long-term Performance Coach Program in Rugby League. He is also a PhD candidate at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), researching the factors that influence creative decision-making in rugby union and the optimal pedagogical approaches to foster such expertise. His coaching philosophy is based on the constraints-based approach, which enables players to think critically, make decisions under pressure, and maximize their potential within the game. Carl's goal is to share his knowledge and insights with the rugby community and inspire the next generation of coaches and players.Enjoy the show!

Jack is a PhD student at La Trobe University. He is interested in the Ecological Dynamics Framework and its application to shooting, where he is uniquely positioned to combine his sports science background with extensive experience as an ISSF rifle shooter. Jack has shot for Great Britain at European Championships, World Cups, and the World Championships. He is actively applying his shooting knowledge by coaching ISSF rifle athletes in Australia, from athletes just starting out to those aiming for success on the world stage.