‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘ Performing at speaking: a coach’s role’   

(edition 133  - 2005 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

Imagine you get a call from Ian Schuback, national coach, or Ray Laycock, the Victorian state coach, and they want you to give their top bowlers a few words the week prior to say this weeks Australian Open or last weeks National sides championships.

Now what has your coaching ‘apprenticeship’ background prepared for you to feel competent to present to players at this level.

Does the national coach scheme at any level adequately skill you for that role; does the local coaches association guide, advise and tutor you for such an occasion. So now you, just like those players you are about to talk to, have to perform. And competently. Or else you, thus they, may fail (lose).

I recently asked a prominent state bowler what he would expect a coach / speaker would or should cover in a speech as a lead up to an important event, such as the two mentioned above, and he suggested these topics

Ø      The speakers personal experience

Ø      Ways to control emotions under pressure

Ø      Importance of routine in performance

Ø      Taking the opportunity to succeed

Ø      Concentration

Ø      Dedication

Ø      Momentum

Ø      Positive and negative thoughts 

Ø      self belief

Ø      gaining a desired result

I had occasion to run a workshop for coaches and players from other sports at the same time and put the same question as I put to the state bowler and a few added topics they threw in were

Ø      preparation

Ø      inspiration

Ø      quotes to assist their belief

Ø      back to basics

Ø      confidence

Well I was asked to give a talk and without any course within bowls to help prepare a talk I chose to repeat what I had sent off to the gals I coach in the Victorian state side as they prepared for the national team championships, so the topics I briefly expanded upon included

Ø      expect to win

Ø      mutual and self belief

Ø      preparation as the discipline for success

Ø      game plan

Ø      role and job description in the team

Ø      challenge not a pressure

Ø      Enjoy

I would be interested to know what other coaches or elite bowlers would have opted for as their choice of topics in a 30-40 minute speaker presentation.

 However that still leaves the question, where do we coaches go within our sport to learn and hone this important skill of public speaking and presentation to bowlers who are themselves striving to reach their own playing goals.

Lachlan Tighe

ATTITUDE: ALL ABOUT PRACTISING HABITS