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‘Talking Tactically’ with Lachlan Tighe..... (a new weekly edition, commenced 12/9/2001, of thoughts, observations and commentaries on developments for bowls coaching and competition) |
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‘… Lions: Brisbane’s king of the (sporting) jungle’ |
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(edition 69 - 2003 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls) For us old ‘baby boomers’ was it John D Loudermilk who sang the words ‘….in the jungle the mighty jungle the Lion sleeps tonight’. Contentedly no doubt and so they should there in the Brisbane Lions den in the knowledge they set a model path for all of us in sport wanting to be the best. But, forget wanting to be the best or wanting to do your best. Take a leaf from their jungle book on what the ingredients for success are and apply to your sporting endeavours. What did I learn that I could apply in my bowls coaching (or any sport for that matter). You make your own analysis but these were briefly mine that I could translate over to my coaching for both the players and the club. Planning It appears the team knew for a prolonged period prior to the final what their role was and what they had to do to complete the task; Preparation The medical staff and the attention to detail evidenced by flights at different altitude down from Brisbane to Melbourne to assist players was more than just playing the game Leadership ‘walk the talk’ is an expression used when a person by deed and action displays leadership- players (galore on the day), coaching staff, all Lions were star witnesses desperate at the contest to impress us, the jury, on grand final day Commitment September 27 saw plenty of physical commitment but also read further and hear how coach Matthews met the spouses and partners way back in July to include them in the player commitment; Lappin joining the battle with physical difficulty but surrounded by warriors desperate to protect him; Team work In bowls I maintain each fours player has 25% responsibility and accountability and the Lions players stats show that they apply that principle in their team game too Best practice The fitness, medical and mental skill applications for these players is legendary as it is ground breaking – cool vests, pain killing injections et al all show that this club looks beyond for success, not sideways or backwards Minimise losses Most scribes counted six odd losses over 12 weeks as hazardous and likely to see the death of the king and a long live the king, but a review of performance would show the Lions as badly ‘damaged’ as they were, never conceded much of a score in defeat, and as I view it in their own minds probably were never truly KO’d by opposition clubs; hurt maybe, down doubtful, out- no way in hades. Phil Jauncey, the Lions sports psychologist, and I spoke a few weeks ago and now it will be fascinating to listen to his observations on a culture of success and how it could apply to and be of benefit to our sport, bowls Congratulations Lions on the pride you demonstrated out in the field of battle. It was truly inspirational to a true believer (in striving for success).Lachlan Tighe
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| Previous coaching columns by Lachlan Tighe (in case you missed the last column or would like to peruse the previous years). |
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