‘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)

"....the usual suspects"

(edition seventeen, 23/1/2002, of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

Like our website mate, Gary Andrews, I played in a classic singles tournament at Yallourn in Victoria which was won for the second time by Brian Baldwin from Musgrave Hill, Qld club.

Brian defeated Craig McCarron my skip from Kew Heights and a former state player who has won a few major events in recent months. The other finalists were also highly regarded profile players. In fact congratulations to Yallourn for the field they attracted as there were numerous profile man and women competitors.

Why is it that the same ‘usual suspects’ are in the hunt for the premier tournaments.

Outside of god given talent, I suggest it is because of the approach taken in their training which becomes automatic pilot when in the heat of battle. But, I believe the sport via proper coaching can provide that training and mindset to more ‘usual suspects’ so forcing the current crop of hotshots to raise the bar of bowls excellence if they want to continue to ‘grab the money’ and in so doing force all the other bowlers to chase that new level if they want any slim chance of success.

Last week this column referred to cricket’s new approach to coaching and based on what I said above, the sport, that is you the bowler and or you the coach, need to read and know that if cricket says...

that coaching is the central driver to broader game development at all levels

There is a need to have a specialised stream of study in skills of the game, thus undertaking an area of specialisation in batting, spin bowling, wicketkeeping- equate that in bowls for example .. playing positions, differing game formats from singles to fours, different delivery types

Cricket, and so too bowls, need to defend the role of coaches in a broader sport development sense, as coaches are the shopfront for the sport with the potential to shape and foster the attitudes of players at all levels

...well then bowler, get out and get a coach, and get one who knows what the future role for success will be...and if you are a coach, raise the bar of skill development and attitudinal approach, and reap the benefit of one of your charges making an impact and being ‘.....one of the usual suspects’ winning profile bowls tournaments.

Hope this stirs you into action.

"Good Bowling"

"....it is just not cricket!"

"...tactical analysis of or in competition"

"How do you assess the performance of a Coach"

"... no Limits"