‘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)

"…………GREAT TEAMS"

(edition five, 10/10/2001 of observations on developments for bowls and coaching)

A hobby horse of mine is knowing what constitutes a great team.

In bowls we join our equivalent (premier league) bowls club if possible to be a member of their premier side which is the preparatory league for the elite level.

This league should provide the same team competitive ethos for bowls that the individual finds when they are competing as elite bowlers at the national level. But, it does’nt.

So what can we learn - let’s look at our reigning champion team from another sport.

‘………for us to stay number one we need to keep ahead, to think differently… to practice as if we are the number 2 or 3 in the world rather than the number one’

Relate this to our premier bowls sides and the sixteen players in those sides.

I am constantly staggered by the degree of mediocrity prevailing in this the top level of our sport which is best indicated by the training sessions of top bowlers, which is, literally, a continuation of what lower grade players do to prepare.

If we do not aspire to that cricket example approach then the club does not deserve to remain in the premier league. And where do we go at elite national level !!!

As individual bowlers there is no doubt you should not be considered for further elite level selection if that hunger and challenge is not foremost in your attitude.

My eyes and ears tell me that many of my ‘Elbows’ squad when away from my training scene revert back to what they knew before…comfort zone... there is our challenge in bowls standards for the future.

In summary a great team in my opinion :

Expects to win

Is hard working in training

Is challenged by experimenting to approaches for higher performance

Has respect and earns respect

Focussed to set goals

Reviews and evaluates training and competition

Contains trust

Honest in communication

Excellent skills to include tactical and mental

More on this topic next week.

"Good Bowling"

"A Great Team ... defined for bowls and to apply to pairs, fours, sides of 16"

"Weight Watching - Drills and Experiments"

'Torpedo Toward Victory"