‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘ Practising habits as a team and as an individual’ 

(edition 142  - 2005 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

You and your teammates need to know by your practice what you do every time you prepare to deliver and whilst you deliver. Hope and prayer are useless tools to consistent elite performance. They also are a reflection of an attitude, be it good or bad.

• Demonstrating the Attitude = ‘practising habits’

• Repetition of perfect practice

• Do you just play games, that’s not perfect practice- short/long/wide bowls as evident

• what you practice is how to bring that standard into competition

• You need to practice and train what you do every time…pre shot/ delivery routine

A sample of ‘practising habits’ for a SERIOUS elite level bowler 

·         Aim to be a club event champion annually

·         Train appropriately to achieve the playing goals

·         Be punctual, regular and diligent in their training

·         Record at least your competition performances 

·         Enter a minimum of 8 tournaments annually

·         Get into the semi finals of four tournaments per year 

·         Choose playing partners that assist in meeting stated competition goals

·         Record practice / competition performances on a monthly basis

·         play the ball not the man

·         seeing is believing

·         strive to have 2 in the head every time you play and train

·         pressure is the unknown – reduce the ’unknown’ through practice

‘Practising habits’…is my catchcry in coaching; it is a mental discipline you and your club  and team members require if you aspire to be elite bowlers and well regarded as bowlers and as a team or club;

Expressed another way practicing habits is ‘thinking hard or hardly thinking’

Examples that I require for the ‘Elbows’ squad

·         Don’t call the excessive shots down when directing the head…why let on to the opposition we are down, simply give precise instructions

·         Do not practice/train short bowls, walk up and retrieve it immediately, alter behaviour

·         Understand realistic calls and expectations…look at other bowls in a head as a target

·         Be precise with calls related to distance, use Mat length, mat width, yardstick

·         Tactically hone the skill of Ultra long and minimum length in training

·         Value positive ‘verbal’ language and no negative language as a team attribute

‘TEAM’           i.e. Together Each Achieves More (or Mutual Milestones)

‘TEAM’           or Trust Enthuse Applaud Mates (or Mates Morale)

Kids play (games), and practice

Serious bowlers are ones who train to compete, train to be elite level in approach.

Lachlan Tighe

ATTITUDE: ALL ABOUT PRACTISING HABITS