Free Play Academy Newsletter #27
Topics that will be covered:
1. Technique in Sport is misunderstood.
2. Free Play Academy Performance Loop.
3. A constraints-led approach to talent development.
Technique in Sport is misunderstood.
What if our misunderstanding of what technique actually is, underpins the work we do with our lacrosse players?
What if the technical training that has become a main pillar in the way we develop our lacrosse players, only really acts as a placebo for learning and improvement?
What if consistently drilling players in movement patterns builds coordination and confidence, but not a lot else?
We’re going to break down what technique is and how we should go about developing it. For the next few weeks we’ll be touching on the many facets of what comprises technique, starting today with Patterns.
Technique is a movement pattern. Movement patterns done in isolation will build technique, however, if the movement pattern isn’t placed and practiced in context it will breakdown. Skill acquisition is development of variable patterns.
Often when we talk about ‘technique’ we are actually talking about movement patterns or action capacity.
Action capacity is the range of which a player can perform an action, for example, when talking about shooting, we are talking about how a player can shoot in a variety of ways, step-downs, on the run, behind-the-back, twisters, etc., the different movement patterns the players can use to propel the ball out of their stick towards the goal.
The capacity of the player’s action underpins what they can do when it comes to opportunities to act in the performance environment. If you shoot a perfect high-bounce shot, and your teammates can not, new patterns are available to you!
Continued next week..
Free Play Academy Performance Loop.
Taken from the Free Play Academy Performance Loop:
The quickest way to dial back the nerves and get into a flow state is through our breath. By a controlled, rhythmic approach to the breath, we are able to control our arousal state!
Follow the “box” pattern below
…Just breathe
A constraints-led approach to talent development.
A coach’s choice of which constraints to manipulate is determined by his or her understanding of the key factors that are acting as ‘rate limiters’ on the emergence of higher levels of performance of individuals and teams”.
Identifying what constraints should be manipulated can be a challenge for coaches. One of the factors that coaches need to be aware of is ‘rate limiters’.
‘Rate limiters’ are factors that have an impact on an individual's learning processes and may limit their performance in a certain learning situation.
Identifying rate limiters allows us to better modify the constraints to engage learners more effectively.
What ‘rate limiters’ do you often deplore at your practices?
Full read available here Athlete-Centred Coaching: Developing Decision Makers, https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43612/
The Free Game
The part of lacrosse that is played with the mind.
What will be covered are the 8 Principles of Performance.
Any lacrosse player can own the 1st ever sport psychology methodology specific to the game of Lacrosse.
This purchase will include a FREE consultation with Coach McDonnell via in-person or Zoom.
Here is a preview.
The cost is $24.99
You can purchase The Free Game here.
Lean in, do the work, stay focused and become uncommon.
Have a great week.