‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘…coping with competition pressure’

(edition 99  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

As you read this, the elite male and female bowlers around Australia are vying to qualify for a spot in the finals for the Australian Indoors at Tweed Heads in August and ten of them are finalizing their preparation to represent Australia in the world titles over the next 3 months.

The rest of the bowling world is out enjoying the sun or hibernating over winter.

So we have situations where elite players are focusing their aims as singles players or as team members.  They will experience a sense of hesitation and uncertainty if only because of the wait and the delay in not knowing how they will go on the day.  So what can these serious bowlers expect as support, guidance and training from a coach if they were to be coached by you.

I am in that situation as a coach with our ‘Elbows’ squad. Well here is how I prime and talk to the players for the games ahead for the singles events.  I anticipate some scenarios that create doubt, below, and give them prompts to consider as thinking caps to overcome the doubt.

You draw a hot shot name bowler(s) in the next round

As bowlers think

·         This is a challenge, I love challenges

·         We have devised a plan to counter him / her

·         No one is invincible

·         Concentrate on the process for the entire game

·         mistakes are going to occur, however minimise dropping multiples (scores)

Today, you find you are very lethargic

Think

·         I control this mood

·         Visualise the game

·         Hey this is important being here

·         be ready, warm up mentally and physically

You go into the next round having bowled a blinder

Think

·         I am really enjoying the skill level I am showing

·         Continue that vein don’t accept a drop in standard

·         Set a goal and segment again for the next game

·         But don’t expect the standard to be at an exceptional level all day

You have played the perfect bowl to score and now you prepare to bowl again

Think

·         prove it was no fluke, ‘caterpillar’ delivery

·         finish the job

·         balance, calm skilful

·         been there, done this, piece of cake,

Now the team game, which our world team members are faced with, is a different challenge to them, and you as a coach, as you are asking 4 people to be as one. More so in this sport because the selected players in so many state/ national sides all skip and still need to learn to concede in a team format that only one of them ‘got the gig’ but if they all put in they all ‘get the gig’ of being winners.

And so I would pose these type of situations and ideas for the team members for consideration in training and pre game reinforcement.

After 4 ends the skip gets stuck into you in no uncertain manner

Think

·         what was my contribution in the game plan,  what was expected of me

·         the skip has a role to ensure I strive to fulfill my contribution

·         accept the criticism and be attentive when spoken to

·         use as a spur in a positive manner

·         disagreement ?- I will discuss that after the game

Today, you find you are very lethargic

Think what was said above with the comments for singles player and

·         Keep busy, talk a lot if it helps

·         Keep working hard do the little team things to support team mates

You have been playing firm / up shots well but may not be asked for any today

Think

·         This is part of the game plan

·         My versatility is appreciated

·         Get in some great shots early in the game to focus

The first segment of 4 ends of the game is a haze

Think

·         Forget those and set a mini goal for the remaining segments

·         Relax, and recall and apply how you do that

·         Get involved in the game with the team mates and talk

You have a miserable first round of team bowls today

Think

·         Recall the good games, shots to offset this session

·         Focus on things you know make you a good bowler

·         Start again mentally – focus

·         Soak up team advice and criticism to reconstruct the positive

·         Refer to the goals set straight after the game and strive to meet it

each bowler in the side is individual

Think how you as a member can assist

·         not everyone needs / wants relaxation techniques

·         or hyped arousal levels

·         don’t let the loud ones impose their preparation on others

·         don’t let the nervous ones transfer their agitation on others

·         but we all love compliments

·         and we need consolation when it ain’t happening out there in battle

Make the game preparation as normal as possible

Think

·         what do we normally do on winning days

·         keep the routine familiar

·         reinforce messages used previously to win

·         game plan discussions and process

·         pre delivery routines

Focus on factors other than the importance of this one event

Think

·         avoid placing pressure on team members

·         just apply your skill

·         the process provides the result

Bolster confidences and reduce uncertainty

Think what the coach and we as team do

·         personal discussions of support

·         assure one another, don’t assume it

·         as coach assure the members their contribution is recognized, valued

Be aware of and not overly concerned by anxious behaviours

Think as coach and urge the team to do likewise

·         about the bowlers as people with a degree of anxiety

·         use your eyes/ ears to detect unusual emotional anxiety

·         don’t have knee jerk reactions but make a considered action

Ensure bowlers know level(s) of arousal is normal

Think

·         it is natural to be nervous / aroused

·         accept those levels and focus on a segment of performance at a time

·         Relaxation tools

As the coach control your anxiety

if in attendance at the event, think

·         what is expected of me as coach in this emotional competitive situation

·         how to ensure others accompanying in the support base are aware of their nervous energy

·         accept comments as constructive

·         plan adequately for contingencies so as not to be distracted from your role on the day

As coaches we need to encourage elite bowlers to prepare for all scenarios that will occur in competition, but especially the elite championships competition pressure.  We have to condition the bowler through relevant training to respond immediately in a positive way whenever confronted by pressure in competition.

Coaches need to develop a mood or environment to enable bowlers to play at their peak. That requires bowlers to understand and manage their own arousal level.  

As coach you could be gauging the level for each player during the season so as to know the levels of the team members come the preparation period on the morning of the big day.

One thing about bowls having an older age group we can draw on lessons of life.

Bowls performance is like your investment portfolio…

It has highs / lows you need to ride out

You need to have a solid foundation before speculating

If you fail to plan , you deadset plan to fail

                        So set the goals, and monitor the goals

Lachlan Tighe