‘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 to improve performance’

(edition 86  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

While in Tweed Heads I watched with interest the state bowls teams from around the country competing to win the coveted shield, and for players striving to be in contention for selection as Australian bowls squad members.  It was an enjoyable sport experience.

What might be the difference in any sport between a great team, a good team and say a weak team. My view is no better than the next persons however I sat down in light of my coaching of bowlers and teams and explain what I have come up with as an observation in bowls for others to consider.

How can I recognize a weak team ?

• They focus on one game at a time without apparent planning 
• Limited leadership 
• Only attend, as in next practice session
• Try to defend the head when holding shot
• Alternatively, play risky shots beyond their skill level
• Defend the head too cautiously
• Hide weaknesses (may not even know them) play strengths
• Remain competitive and spirited while the level of skill and expectation has not been surpassed by the superior team

What about a good team?

• Win close games generally
• Their strengths are balanced against their weaknesses
• Probably have a few outstanding bowlers, and leadership
• Might depend on young talented bowlers
• Balanced with solid reliable experienced bowlers
• Involved in many games where result is close
• Also hide weaknesses
• Strategy employed in games still requires developing
• Plan a game in a vague, general sense

And what stands out in a great team?

• Leadership is well spread
• Know their style of play and the players intimately
• Expect to win…always
• Plot time to peak for prime performance, plan their performance to win
• Don’t dwell on fundamentals in training, however, never forget these
• Train exceptionally hard at all the skills, technical, mental, tactical
• Extend the challenges at training so they are not at training to win, they are there to excel in skill development
• Respond to challenges, especially in situations that others would refer to as ‘pressure’
• are coached to develop, excel and win (the important events)

And something else I would note about the attributes of those tagged as great teams, and players too, and that is they bear the ‘uncontrollable factors’ better than the lesser lights (teams, players) because they know that in these circumstances it evens out

• Respect for opponents
• Luck has 2 sides of the coin over the long haul
• Luck comes your way by the tactics you employ to exert pressure
• Acceptance that you have to play in all weather conditions
• You lose your confidence not your skill, so keep on the positives

Coaches of bowlers can train their players and teams to move toward the Great tag category so the coach can start coaching a team to be Great which most probably occurs when the attitude of the leadership of the team is entrenched with that mindset and it is automatically filtered then throughout the rest of the team (members) 

Lachlan Tighe