‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

(a weekly edition, commenced 12/9/2001, of thoughts, observations and commentaries on developments for bowls coaching and competition)

‘ Forever young, forever fresh’ 

(edition 124  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

The brashness, freshness and spring youth provides in their outlook really is enormous when it comes through the front door of bowls.

I had a rewarding time coaching groups at a few clinics at the weekend supporting their local coaches as best I could. Though keen as mustard, these bowlers who had been in the game a while, only go through the motions of working harder (without them realizing there is another level again) as much due to the fun / novelty of the one off program which they may see as ‘intensive’

And similarly at the majority of pennant levels that …going through the motions is the custom, players not realizing for themselves the capacity they have for a higher level of intensive training to be undertaken.

But boy oh boy, when you have the energetic sporty type new and /or teenage bowlers, laden with ball skill talent, their enthusiasm, expectation and energy far surpasses the other groups I mention. The younger skill brigade ask questions, they challenge, they try things, they jump around with energy with the vigour and energy audible and visible. They WANT to try all the shots, approaches.

Their difficulty is their age. Either in terms of the years of age or in terms of the short period of time in the sport. They are expected to ‘toe the line’ and to know and do what other (experienced bowlers) expect them to do.

Hold it !!!

Let’s let these really keen younger talented bowlers express themselves personally and as potential elite sportspeople in the way their peers would understand.  So if you / me / we can dispose of our bowls ‘hat’ and act as coaches / supporters to encourage their fast track learning and foster this exciting level of enthusiasm.

Two different examples to read: first, I have come across four teenagers referred to me by their coaches all four of whom can really bowl and see bowls as their preferred sport. With their local coach I want to allow them to express themselves, victorious in our sport; as they gather some wins ( one teenager won his club singles championship last week) they will be noticed appropriately.

Second, having moved to a new club after 17 years, there is a bunch of about ten bowlers who are in the 30 year age group and in our sport of bowls no more than 3 years ‘old’ and are hungry for knowledge.  This bunch of bowlers know that bowls practice is dated and training is a term they understand and want to apply.  Some / most of these younger club bowlers may never make elite level, however, I reckon they deserve my support to ‘jump the queue’ of progress rather then be like the other older club members, who when they took up the sport in their own younger days, complied or were forced to comply to that old dated approach of climb the ladder and learn when an older experienced person creates a vacancy.

In both cases, the difficulty with these younger players they naturally are (generationally) different to we older age members and maybe in general we may not like that difference and try to contain the exuberance of the newer younger breed of bowler.

Me, well I want to shepherd them through this human minefield and personality development until that time where their success cannot be ignored within the club and the sport.  Maybe their success will even be highly acclaimed by their fellow members and bowlers.

Bugger that, lets be forever young for the benefit of the young and therein our mighty sport, bowls.

Lachlan Tighe

ATTITUDE: ALL ABOUT PRACTISING HABITS