‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘Agassi, Chappell, and an American Idol’ 

(edition 141  - 2005 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

What makes me think I can make a difference (to a player / bowler)?

Boy does that question raise its ugly head in my times of emotional frustration most especially when I prepare to run a quality training program or edit some video and the player(s) alter the priorities and don’t even bother to turn up.

I read a lot, bump into others connected with elite sport regularly, get highly excited by what I can do (for the players) then whammo !

Back to the reality of bowls and its place in the field of elite sport.

AGASSI

Reading his comments on a tennis website  where he talked about his analysis of (prospective) opponents, the percentages of his success on either forehand or backhand, first serves etc.  I raced away speculating on how I could devise methods for the players in ‘Elbows’ (by definition elite) to analyse forehand and backhand deliveries, the percentage of success in using either hand, the number of delivered drives (on either hand) and the percentage of success in using either hand, and, anecdotally with the players forming an inventory of elite opposition players weaknesses and strengths and our own squad members SWOT analysis.

I think I should be renamed Crazy John believing that could happen because players struggle to attend training on a regular basis to apply Agassi’s principles.

CHAPPELL

Rowan as a true blue squad disciple read Chappell’s recent coaching book which I have read this weekend and a few lessons worth applying from cricket to bowls include:

*  Reflection is a better term he uses instead of game or match analysis as it infers emotional and intellectual reflection of the competition recently won or lost; I will ‘borrow’ that term reflection for the future

*  Coaching is a creative arena working with people as players who need to nurture and express their creativity, not adhere (only) to a rigid manual of instruction which seems religiously to endorse detection and correction in our two sports, bowls and cricket

*  He trained 20 minutes each training session because he trained to succeed as if ti was 20 minutes of test match conditions

*  He realized his errors( of getting out in cricket) was 90% of his own doing within his control, so he worked to minimize, even delay, that time when he would eventually go out.

Chappell decided, no one else, what had to be done to achieve. As the SA state cricket coach he was aghast to learn so few of his state players had any goal or expectation for their training sessions or forthcoming Shield matches.

Roll on lawn bowls, keep our heads in the sand – is that why we have sand at the edges of the green ! Ah ha now I know!!!

VONZELLE – AN AMERICAN IDOL 

Many of we older brigade probably don’t even know of this American (Idol) singing contest which is on TV each week – I do and I watch it because they are aspiring elite performers (of song), lessons can be learnt. 

And the one I twigged to was ‘…I don’t talk Tuesdays!’

Vonzelle like the other finalists sings on Wednesdays, we are talking mega $$$ for the Idol winner.  Here is this 20 y.o. girl / lady aware that resting her voice is another version of relaxation from the stress of competition.

Boy if I could coach a ‘wise old 20 y.o.’ with that insight and degree of commitment and maturity would’nt that force up my own required level of coaching commitment.

How difficult it is to get the really talented to ‘move out of club level mindset’ in their approach as they reach to the stars of sport excellence.

Too often they also are in the ‘sandpit’ on the edge of the green.  Too wary to be different maybe; they should not be wary, their skills are already above average, so why do what the average player / bowlers do.

Lachlan Tighe

ATTITUDE: ALL ABOUT PRACTISING HABITS