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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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‘...culture starts from the top’ |
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(edition twenty seven, 13/11/2002, of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls) An interesting week this one for us all in sport as we watch and read about the exploits of our test cricket side. It just does’nt happen that level of success out on the cricket field. And you ought note which type of professional support staff sits in the dressing room with the elite cricketers. So when I go and present a talk at a bowls club last night on the topic (mental) preparation for competition I urge them to restate that topic as preparation for competition and then for the individual in the audience to address the areas of goals, preparation and performance analysis to satisfy their own expectations. What I observe though is that the great bulk of the players simply repeat the accepted practices of playing games in semi social settings because there is a reluctance at leadership level to impress upon them the value they gain if these bowlers were to sit and develop what they want in their bowls, how to go about achieving and training for it and then to make reasonably regular reviews of how they are progressing, and, to go back and repeat that cycle of preparation. My dear colleague coach that should be your job….however I do not blame you as the chiefs in charge of the local bowls section would appear not to know how to provide a structure to enhance the skills of all the players willing to work at the game. Like us coaches they inherit the situation without question or analysis. Even at Manchester the countries practised by playing games that you and I see as training with real ordinary bowlers. Kids play games so we are just big kids in the approach to skill development. Skill development for all level of bowler is done with a portion of time allocated to diligence to intense training And don’t tell me just to lead for 5 years “son”…that is no answer as it alludes to a position in a pennant format. All keen bowlers should be able to develop the full range of technical skills whilst having a resource to access for mental and tactical skill development as they keep proceeding in their path to glory. A sports science professional informed me the other day he had referred a young gun bowler to me for coaching and as I had not heard from the young bowler I contacted him and was not surprised to discover that he has no firm goals, plan or analysis in mind for his bowls career and yet this guy is as I say a young gun. He should previously have been in the care of a coach who not only would be helping with technical skill work but starting the process of preparing and evaluating performance to ensure the goals can be realized. Let’s see the change at bowls clubs through the coach(es) who are taking up the reins and steering all (interested) bowlers toward the individuals search for skill development. Oh, finally if you think all I say is poppycock, that’s ok but note where the English are in cricket nowadays due to their indifference to what is done by the best in the world of cricket ! In Australian bowls, we should watch out for our slide in world bowls as the standard Aussie approach is a reflection of our approach commenced right back at your bowls club…so don’t blame them, the Australian world bowls reps or our leaders, we need to alter our culture where we have control……in our club. regards
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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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