‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘… coaching bowlers to achieve a higher level of performance’

(edition 83  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

As far back as 1990 the former Australian Coaching Council (ACC) developed a program aimed at increasing the number of coaches who would, or could, operate at what was even then called the high performance level; these coaches would then be available to their sport as potential national coaches in recognition that in most sports there is a limited number of coaches available and capable of coaching competently at the national / international level.

The skills of these prospective high performance coaches as stated then by the ACC are still in vogue as you can see from the following:

Plan, conduct and evaluate

·        Practice sessions

·        training camps

·        periodised training programs

·        competition tour programs

·        development of specific fitness, mental, technical , tactical skills and abilities of squads

teach advanced skills and strategies

analyse advanced skills and strategies

An aspect of the high performance coach that may be unfamiliar to bowls and elite bowlers is that this level of coach should also be able to

·        assist athletes to plan their careers

·        design talent identification systems

·        select national teams

·        select and work effectively with sports science personnel

·        make effective use of sport information systems

·        liase with and relate to media

Aspiring national level bowls coaches need to be able to perform these three major tasks

Preparing the bowler for competition

·        fitness preparation and the requirements such as necessity for toning, nutrition and hydration habits

·        psychological preparation with a focus on player goals, mental skill knowledge and training, competition preparation

·        technical preparation in skill training, monitoring, analysis, video analysis

·        tactical preparation with an audit on knowledge, development, performance factor analysis, decision making, practice of tactical habits

Planning the bowlers development

·        TID and development phase

·        Training camps

·        Periodised training for skill base acquisition and position play preparation

·        Competitive tours including international events

Leadership and management with a view to instilling similar skills and knowledge to their squad

·        Development of leadership skills

·        People management

·        Expanding knowledge of sports system and networks

·        National team program supervision

·        Sports science usage and resourcing

Having just finished a stint as a coach at my club, and we came last so must be the coach, and, coaching a separate squad of higher level bowlers, it is interesting how I have had to adjust as the former group want to be good but do not succumb to the extra needs and demands, while the latter group / squad have in fact to be ‘protected’ from the lesser level of commitment and attitude and I have to be on my toes to provide a service to meet their higher demands.

Wonder how many other coaches see that much of the above content is what we have to be able to provide players if we are ever to convince any good bowler that a coach can offer them something to give that ‘competitive edge’.

Oh, on coming last this season past, boy you learn a lot about all sorts of things from that humble position.

Lachlan Tighe