‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘… the best of the best’ 

(edition 125  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

Bowlers of any standing tend to get to that elite level despite any prolonged assistance from a personal coach.

Players (of the future) will change that mindset if coaches also change by displaying a commitment and skill level equivalent to the elite level bowler, so that then encourages these bowlers to seek us coaches out to assist the player pursue their goals.

Immediately following the Sydney 2000 Olympics, various elite coaches provided some of their approaches to excellence in sport and coaching as a summary of coaching in the year 2000. I want to share some of their comments which I feel are still relevant four years on and can guide us to continue down the coaching path necessary for your / our success.  

Netball, South Australian coach

Ø      Invites numerous specialists / specialists coaches to work with the team

Ø      Never afraid to try new techniques

Ø      Pushes athletes to excel

Netball, Australian coach

Ø      Chooses to lead from the front

Ø      Pursues player development

Ø      Creates a sense of (team) unity

Ø      Seeks advice from professionals

Ø      Ensures ‘best practice’ settings

Ø      Creates a structured coaching experience

Ø      Develops individuals and their skills via training

Ø      Provides a quality service to squad by seeking continued improvement in coaching techniques through professional development programs and performance appraisals

Rugby, Australian coach

Ø      Takes time to talk/ share with athletes, opponents, coaches and expects everyone in the team to do the same

Netball, Qld Firebirds state team

Ø      Introduced a coaching regime from one focussed primarily on quantity of training to implement a scheme focussed on quality of training

AFL coach 

Ø      Aspires to perfection

Ø      Does everything possible to improve the teams overall game, so that when he was a player even to include arriving early for training to practice foot and hand skills

Ø      As a player wrote himself notes to focus on facets of his game that required improvement and encourages his player accordingly

Ø      Believed in classic model of hard work can produce the (desired) results

Wallabies Rugby Union coach

Ø      Introduced a level of professionalism to include

Ø      Detailed planning sessions

Ø      Individual goal setting

Ø      Team goal setting

Ø      Individual technical  AND  tactical development

Ø      Innovation through new (player and performance) analysis systems

Womens Water polo coach

Ø      Decentralised coaching network by establishing an elite training / competition program

Ø      Program addressed development needs of each player (goals) AND the team/ squad 

Ø      Relied on expert input from coaches and squad players

Ø      Sought other experiences players in his sport to provide advice / input

Ø      Unusual initiative in colloborating with international opponents to exchange approaches and competition experiences for training

Womens Hockey coach

Ø      Philosophy revolves around continual improvement

Ø      Works on encouraging and developing every aspect of his squad players

Ø      Instils in them the confidence to challenge themselves further

Yachting, mens / womens coach

Ø      Complete focus on the goals of his athletes

Ø      Such focus enabled all those around him to also focus their support for the program

Ø      Shared his plans through education, encouragement, regular and good communication

Golf coach, Australian open winners

Ø      Enabled golfers to enter his program at differing stages of development

Ø      Delivery of technical information/ instruction is planned to interface with competition schedules

Ø      Develops a practice environment that mirrors competitive situations

Ø      Introduced a program that trains the golfer to deal with competition pressures

Ø      Enhances technical, tactical and psychological improvement

Ø      Uses statistical information for objective analysis of competition play

Ø      Coach observation of squad in competition

Ø      Encourages players own self analysis of competition

I encourage you coaches to take in the above comments from world class coaches from other sport over the past few years and set yourself the goal of aspiring to their lofty standards thus assuring the elite bowlers of your own level of excellence.

I trust our national coaches agree with the above too as they can steer us fellow bowls coaches toward this level of excellence for the future good and benefit of prospective elite bowlers

MERRY XMAS

Lachlan Tighe

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