Performance Elements
Skills obtained in practice must be developed for game-like situations which incur pressure and stress in order to create optimum performance for the player. Appropriate teaching and coaching strategies must be implemented into training in order for players to develop their performance in these pressuring situations. To assist in the development of these performance elements, equipment such as coaching boards can be used, and practical applications such as drills, game-like situations and small games can be used. The two areas in which players must develop in their game in order to improve their performance in-game are;
- decision making
- strategic and tactical development
- decision making
- strategic and tactical development
Decision Making
The most effective way of improving decision making is to force them to make players in game-like situations. The best way to improve productive decision making is through;
- observation: The use of coaching boards and demonstrations thoroughly explain the technicalities of game plans to assist learners to gather concepts. Other players in the same team usually, are also told to be observed by the learners especially if the player is experienced and has high game IQ.
- questioning: Learners are often asked questions in game-like scenarios to try and improve their own decision making skills by letting them think for themselves. These situations can also be represented on coaching boards and questions such as "What should the player be doing here?" can be asked to develop learners decision making.
- whole, part, whole approach: Game strategies and plays must be used by a team in order to be effective against the opposing team. In order to learn these strategies, slow-paced walk-through's must be used in order for each player to understand and learn their role with high emphasis on the specifics and techniques. As players become more familiar, the pace can be increased and an opposition can possibly be included in order to relate this to a performance-like situation.
- variation: Training can become repetitive to players so variation is promoted in order for interest to be maintained and different ways of thinking about learning can be applied. A change in style of play is encouraged so players can use imagination and innovation to expand their knowledge. E.g. An offensively-oriented basketball team can change their mindset to defensively-oriented so another angle to the sport can be explored.
- creativity: In order for players to feel included and truly 'part of the team'. a democratic coaching style is encouraged so problematic situations can be solved as a whole team and not just based on one persons view/opinion.
The most effective way of improving decision making is to force them to make players in game-like situations. The best way to improve productive decision making is through;
- observation: The use of coaching boards and demonstrations thoroughly explain the technicalities of game plans to assist learners to gather concepts. Other players in the same team usually, are also told to be observed by the learners especially if the player is experienced and has high game IQ.
- questioning: Learners are often asked questions in game-like scenarios to try and improve their own decision making skills by letting them think for themselves. These situations can also be represented on coaching boards and questions such as "What should the player be doing here?" can be asked to develop learners decision making.
- whole, part, whole approach: Game strategies and plays must be used by a team in order to be effective against the opposing team. In order to learn these strategies, slow-paced walk-through's must be used in order for each player to understand and learn their role with high emphasis on the specifics and techniques. As players become more familiar, the pace can be increased and an opposition can possibly be included in order to relate this to a performance-like situation.
- variation: Training can become repetitive to players so variation is promoted in order for interest to be maintained and different ways of thinking about learning can be applied. A change in style of play is encouraged so players can use imagination and innovation to expand their knowledge. E.g. An offensively-oriented basketball team can change their mindset to defensively-oriented so another angle to the sport can be explored.
- creativity: In order for players to feel included and truly 'part of the team'. a democratic coaching style is encouraged so problematic situations can be solved as a whole team and not just based on one persons view/opinion.
Strategic And Tactical Development
The strategic understanding is the way in which a team play the sport, where people should be at a particular time and what they should be doing. Such as bowling a spin ball in cricket compared to a fast ball.
However, tactical awareness is about discovering ways in which you will gain a competitive advantage over the other team. E.g. double-teaming in basketball, or spinning a ball wide on a tennis serve in doubles so there is a higher chance they will hit it to the volleyer. The more practice in match-like situation, the more an athlete will mature in this area and become more experienced which should improve decision making, opportunity taking and strategical/tactical thinking.
The strategic and tactical development of players is increased using the following principals:
The strategic understanding is the way in which a team play the sport, where people should be at a particular time and what they should be doing. Such as bowling a spin ball in cricket compared to a fast ball.
However, tactical awareness is about discovering ways in which you will gain a competitive advantage over the other team. E.g. double-teaming in basketball, or spinning a ball wide on a tennis serve in doubles so there is a higher chance they will hit it to the volleyer. The more practice in match-like situation, the more an athlete will mature in this area and become more experienced which should improve decision making, opportunity taking and strategical/tactical thinking.
The strategic and tactical development of players is increased using the following principals:
- Technical efficiency: Players needs to make correct technique a primary focus in the executing of skills. This in time will increase a players consistency in executing this high quality skill.
- Understanding: A player must need to understand all concepts and specifications of their play prior to going out onto the field and playing. They must be able to know what to do if things don't work out, or their position to play if another player in out of their own.
- Skillful execution: In a game, a strategy will only properly work if it has been practiced thoroughly in training situation which try and replicate game-like situations. It is extremely beneficial to increase the amount of pressure applied by an opposition so it will be closer to what it is like in-game. Invasive game-play by the opponents will help in doing this.