Get the Best From Everyone You Teach - Page 2
"They don't seem to respond to my teaching points" - IMPROVE YOUR OBSERVATION SKILLS.
As instructors we often see less than perfect movement quality. We all know that we should
do something about it as that is part of our job. Once you can observe where the problems
are then you can start to do something about correcting them! Looking for faults is easy
when you know how, but first you must understand the movement yourself especially the
technique and safety points. To do this you must learn the movement pattern both right
and wrong and understand the difference. Understand what the movement feels like when
correct (proprioceptive feedback) which will help you explain the differences to your
participant. Demonstrating common faults followed by the correct technique can be
very effective.
All training is based on reward and punishment. It is vital to give appropriate feedback,
both verbal and non verbal to get teaching points across. Most of us are used to giving
verbal feedback such as 'good', try 'harder' etc. However let's introduce the concept
of using coaching key words to get a more specific message across. I am referring to
the use of a coaching key word to pre-empt correction of a potential fault, a technique
used by experienced coaches. I am going to use my sport now instead of Boxercise Moves
to show you what I mean.
For example, a pole vaulter must, on take off, drive into the pole, failure to do so
results in a decrease in the speed of the take off. This may result in the pole not
reaching an upright position and the athlete missing the landing mat! This is a real
problem when jumping heights well above the height of a double decker bus! In order
to encourage the vaulter to drive at the crucial point, the coach may say "drive"
as the vaulter approaches the take off. This is a coaching keyword, which relates
to a specific coaching point. Coaching Keywords need to be easy to say quickly and
with good volume and must mean something to the participant. Finding the right words
can tax your creativity but exploring the use of an image or feeling can make all
the difference in their ability to change their technique. We all respond
differently to different key words depending on how our brain works and whereas
one keyword works for one person it may not work for another. It is the coaches
job to find one that means something to that person.
To talk or not to talk, this is the question. Sometimes verbal feedback or reinforcement
is not as effective as non-verbal feedback. The skill is to recognise which way of
communicating is most appropriate for the situation.
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