‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

'A day to remember, November 22 2003’

(edition 121  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

Twelve months ago elite bowlers and coaches who take their level of sport seriously had an opportunity to grasp (some) lessons from the enormous Lions versus Wallabies Rugby Union world cup final here in Australia, duly won by England.

On Saturday morning, I read an excerpt from Jonny Wilkinson’s autobiography ‘My World’ (Hardline publishers) which reinforced to me some of what I learnt from that fabulous world cup final.

Also over this weekend I watched an interstate bowls test series and for me there is a real opportunity for all of us (players and coaches) to continue to learn from the best in other sports and apply into our own elite lawn bowls programs.

A few things worth extracting from Wilko’s newspaper excerpt for elite bowls to chew over include

POSITIVE PROMPTS

..keeping his five key words written on a piece of paper for use in the final (bowlers have score cards to write on and to use to remind themselves if they were bothered)

..words of specific advice / encouragement e.g. play my game, nothing changes, be the best , get what you deserve

GAME PLAN

..keep the ball where you gain it ( e.g. holding shot or don’t be greedy when holding)

..destroy them, embarrass them ( when well up crush the opposition as opportunities do not arise too often and opposition need a bit of psychological bruising, an example seen in that bowls test)

..direct, kick on front foot ( e.g. keep playing winning hand or length)

..build a score (comparable to building a head)

..drop goal routine ( comparison in bowls may be a pre delivery routine)

IMAGERY / MENTAL REHEARSAL

For those players readying themselves for Grand Prix bowls and other national level team events over the future months, this snippet to me is invaluable

..Wilko chatted pre game with his (defence) team and stressed the importance of communication, not only positive but to account for the noise in the stadium where loud instructions directed to specific teammates is imperative as the team has to react instinctively and positively under the pressure of the level of competition (my version is the rink meeting as part of a segment of the overall game)

HISTORY

This final quote shows that Wilko understood the value of what success is in other forms of life and how he said he kept this one from the start of their world cup campaign and read it daily, quote

..today you must do more than is required of you. Never think that you have done enough or that your job is finished. There is always something that can be done – something that can help to ensure victory.  You cannot let others be responsible for getting you started.  You must be a self starter.  You must possess that spark of individual initiative that sets the leader apart from the led. Self motivation is the key to being one step ahead of everyone else. Always be on the lookout for the chance to do something better. Never stop trying. Fill yourself with the warrior spirit – and send that warrior into action.

And where did that statement Wilko used come from: 1944 General George Patton, sounds like a coaching supremo before his time.

The bowlers in elite teams need to take more leadership, set the ‘patton’ of leadership for others in the elite team to see, know and follow, and not expect that skips by dint of their title will be the sole bearers of such leadership.

Finally after the weekend Test series I wandered off to my bowls club late Sunday as two of the Elbows squad wanted to do more on their skill assessment rating having watched the interstate series.

Patton would have been proud of the commitment from this duo. Rings with the catchphrase at the footer of this column re attitude.

Lachlan Tighe

ATTITUDE: ALL ABOUT PRACTISING HABITS