Posts Tagged ‘equestrian’
Making a Difference?
I had to do a brief presentation last week on what I do and who I have worked with. Some coaches said some nice things about my work, but I questioned how much of a difference I make. Sometimes you make a huge amount, sometimes it is small, but worthwhile, Sometimes any Coach could be in that place and the athlete would still be successful.
Read MoreAre you restricted by forms?
“When one has reached maturity in the art, one will have a formless form. It is like ice dissolving in water. When one has no form, one can be all forms; when one has no style, he can fit in with any style.” Bruce Lee
Read MoreThe Challenge to coaches and coaching: Kevin Bowring
“The modern player adopts a ‘pick and mix’ loyalty rather than a long-term allegiance.”
He is becoming increasingly preoccupied with self and is more independent and less submissive to authority. He finds difficulty in accepting criticism and is more liable to conflict.
Read MoreOckham’s Razor- A Coaching principle?
William of Ockham lectured at Oxford in the 14th Century. He is most famous for his theory that when you have two competing theories which make exactly the same predictions, the one that is simpler is the better.
I use this principle in Coaching; if there are two ways of getting the job done, the simpler is the better. There are two reasons for this:
Read MoreRun to Daylight: 4 Lessons from Lombardi
“The character, rather than education, is man’s greatest need and man’s greatest safeguard, because character is higher than intellect”
Vince Lombardi
Coach education: the micro practice
“Learning does not happen automatically as a result of experience”
Thompson
Instead, we have to reflect upon the experience, relate it to some theory and then try it out again (Kolb).
However, I have been on far too many coaching workshops where you just sit and listen to some expert.
Read MoreThe Elements of Style: positive language in Coaching.
“It is better to express even a negative in positive form.”
So say Strunk and White in their excellent little book on writing: “The Elements of Style.“
“Consciously or unconsciously the reader (athlete?) is dissatisfied with being told what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is.”
This has an important impact on the language we use when communicating with our athletes, whether in writing or speaking.
Read MoreAdvice to young coaches: break the mirrors
“I was someone who literally spent his life in front of mirrors, practicing poses, working on the biceps or the triceps, always checking the mirror for progress.“
Arnold Schwarzenegger in his autobiography “Total Recall” talks about being inspired by his Father-in Law Serge Shriver who gave this speech to Yale graduates in 1994.
Read MoreCoach Development: One size does not fit all.
Coach Development Mind Map
(Full image was sent out in today’s newsletter and is presented in our coaching courses).
Read MoreCoaching disabled athletes: Global Coaches House
Paralympics Wrap Up
After watching the blind football team play at the Paralympics, I went to the final session of the Paralympics Global Coaches House, chaired by Professor Pat Duffy.
Read More