Over the past 2 weeks, I've introduced a few different sprinting and agility techniques to the sessions I've run. And while some athletes seem to grasp the concepts after only a few repititions, some others get frustrated when it doesn't come so quickly for them.
What has to be understood is that it simply takes time and practice to learn any new skill and it's very hard to pinpoint HOW LONG it may take. What is easier to pinpoint is that there are 3 distinct phases to skill acquisition, be it learning how to kick a soccer ball or shoot a jumpshot.
The first is the Cognitive Phase. This is the initial learning phase. During this phase, a mental picture of the skill is formed by the player/participant. In order to physically perform the technique asked of them, the athlete must be able to paint the mental picture for themselves. This is why good coaches spend ample time demonstrating and describing the skills for their athletes. Because some athletes learn in different ways, a good coach must be able to teach using visual, verbal, and physical descriptions. By using all 3 styles of communication, you can ensure that they can picture the skill for themselves.
The second phase is the Associative Phase. This is the true practice phase. Here is where you find your athletes linking all the parts of the skill into a smooth action. Their minds and bodies are working to sync up in an efficient manner so that the skill is produced as intended. It is also here that proper feedback is crucial so that they can correct any imperfect movement they might have added themselves. These imperfections will be unique to each of them. Good coaches spend a great deal of time with feedback when they are in training sessions, ensuring that the performance of the skill is executed efficiently and correctly.
The final phase is the Autonomous phase. For this phase, I want you to picture Michael Jordan or David Beckham in the prime of their careers. Both of these athletes have reached the autonomous phase, where the execution of a certain set of skills simply becomes automatic. There is no longer any need for the thought process in order to execute a skill. David Beckham doesn't have to think about how he strikes the ball. He has done it so many times with the correct technique that his body simply performs without conscious thought or direct attention being involved. The word that comes to mind is autopilot. A very small percent of athletes reach this phase and the individuals who do achieve it spend countless hours perfecting their craft.
So, remind your athletes of this the next time they get frustrated they can't juggle a soccer ball more than 10 times or hit 10 for 10 at the freethrow line. While the ultimate goal is to reach the autonomous phase, not everyone does. The most important aspect I think, is that they enjoy the hard work it takes to achieve great performance and that the coach helps provide a fun atmosphere for them. Without it, they won't get very far.
What has to be understood is that it simply takes time and practice to learn any new skill and it's very hard to pinpoint HOW LONG it may take. What is easier to pinpoint is that there are 3 distinct phases to skill acquisition, be it learning how to kick a soccer ball or shoot a jumpshot.
The first is the Cognitive Phase. This is the initial learning phase. During this phase, a mental picture of the skill is formed by the player/participant. In order to physically perform the technique asked of them, the athlete must be able to paint the mental picture for themselves. This is why good coaches spend ample time demonstrating and describing the skills for their athletes. Because some athletes learn in different ways, a good coach must be able to teach using visual, verbal, and physical descriptions. By using all 3 styles of communication, you can ensure that they can picture the skill for themselves.
The second phase is the Associative Phase. This is the true practice phase. Here is where you find your athletes linking all the parts of the skill into a smooth action. Their minds and bodies are working to sync up in an efficient manner so that the skill is produced as intended. It is also here that proper feedback is crucial so that they can correct any imperfect movement they might have added themselves. These imperfections will be unique to each of them. Good coaches spend a great deal of time with feedback when they are in training sessions, ensuring that the performance of the skill is executed efficiently and correctly.
The final phase is the Autonomous phase. For this phase, I want you to picture Michael Jordan or David Beckham in the prime of their careers. Both of these athletes have reached the autonomous phase, where the execution of a certain set of skills simply becomes automatic. There is no longer any need for the thought process in order to execute a skill. David Beckham doesn't have to think about how he strikes the ball. He has done it so many times with the correct technique that his body simply performs without conscious thought or direct attention being involved. The word that comes to mind is autopilot. A very small percent of athletes reach this phase and the individuals who do achieve it spend countless hours perfecting their craft.
So, remind your athletes of this the next time they get frustrated they can't juggle a soccer ball more than 10 times or hit 10 for 10 at the freethrow line. While the ultimate goal is to reach the autonomous phase, not everyone does. The most important aspect I think, is that they enjoy the hard work it takes to achieve great performance and that the coach helps provide a fun atmosphere for them. Without it, they won't get very far.
No comments:
Post a Comment