Being a reflective coach - Essay Example

? Reflective Coaching College Introduction This paper is an attempt to examine the application of Gilbert and Trudel’s (2001) modelof reflective practice on the coaching session. It looks at the coaching session recorded in the YouTube and engages in examines how the author could adapt this training styles and deliver a constraints led approach and get /give a feed back. Various researches have indicated that coaches also learn a great deal by reflecting on their own practical coaching experience, therefore, such reflections have become the essential part of sports coaching education. Reflection has also become an essential conceptual system that underpins the connection between coaching theories, practice and education. One way of carrying out the reflection analysis and feedback assessment is through Video recordings that allow the practitioners to look back and reflect on their performance that have recorded as s form of feedback. The YouTube video indicates how reflections and feedback takes place through the video recording, as the coach applies the use of video recording to enhance the performance of the learners. According to Davids et al (2008), constraints led approach to sports coaching deals with motor learning and control that incorporates the psychological, behavioral and neutral factors. It comes with assumption that perceptual and movement or control and coordination play an important role in the design and production of learning programs and environments. The You Tube (CCCU Sport Science, 2012) also shows the main areas of coaching sessions, the physical exercises, the psychological conditioning and thinking development. The constraint led approach purports that a Coach should design training programs that are interdisciplinary in nature and incorporates all aspects of human life so as to enhance the performance of the athletes. The constraint led approach to coaching takes into account the issues that affects the individual performance, the learning environment and in the light of the tasks provided (Davids et al, 2008), Part of the coaching session as seen in the YouTube incorporates the physical aspects of the coaching programs that include training structure that incorporates elements of instructions for training which including exercises, hands on experience and feedback. Where as, the cognitive and psychological aspect of the training includes building of confidence, concentration and focus. However, the curriculum of reflective coaching education is more informal and is socially constructed around the sporting students and the learning environment (Nelson & Cushion, 2010). By and large, an effective coach should be a reflective practitioner who engages and interacts with his students from feedback and assessment of daily experiences. Reflective practice plays an important role in assisting the athletes to build confidence and engage in critical thinking (Howel et al, 2006). Such reflective exercises should take place during training sessions because coaching sessions provides a platform for exchanging feedbacks with a view of enhancing the performances. One of the mostly applied reflective models is that of Gilbert & Trudel (2001) who argued that it is important for coaches to work in a close relationship with their students. Such close work relationship between the trainer and student would both of them to express themselves and to develop their sporting skills and concept. Gilbert and Trudel’s model (2001) are based on the case of Yin’s multiple case study of six youth sport coaches. In their conclusion, these two authors have claimed that the six coaches managed to refine and develop further their coaching skills through the process of reflection. This proves that reflection is an active method of learning. Such learning must include the reflection on issues that concerns coaching, experimentation, evaluation process, the coach’s role frame and consideration of issues. They further argue that the best way of learning to coach should be through experience and reflection in three areas, thus reflection on action, reflection in action and retrospective reflection on action. Gilbert & Trudel’s model (2001) begins with Description; this is where the coach or student describes what happened in some details by recording the actions of the events. The second aspect is about the expression of the thinking and feeling that of the student. Here the student gives the detailed account on how he/she felt during the events, for example, was she happy, sad, afraid, and confidence and so forth. The third aspect is about the Evaluation. This is where the student expresses themselves and speaks about what was good and bad about the experience that they encountered. The Fourth aspect of this model is about analysis. This is detailed information on how the student can make sense of the situation they have been. The fifth aspect of Gilbert and Trudel’s model of reflective practice is about conclusion, and these deals with the question of what else could you have done. It allows the student and trainer to look back and think of how they could things differently or reverse the situation. The final part is about action plan which takes both the student and trainer to ask themselves question that if the same question was to arise again what would they do? Gilbert and Trudel’s model provides the perfect the methods for analysis the coaching sessions as indicated in the YouTube. However, not all coaches use the same the same approaches. According to Vickers (20007) there are two main types of training approaches when it comes to sports coaching, these are behavioral training and decision training. The behavioral training is centered around the physical, technical and non cognitive emphasis focusing on technical issues, part to whole training, simple instructions but does not stress on athlete’s cognitive effects. The decision training on the other hand focuses on physical, technical and cognitive aspects of the athlete. The instruction method involves holistic view of training, exercises, tactical techniques, instructions on the external issues and the use of video models. The feed backs are given through the use of questioning that allows the athletes to detect and correct errors (Vickers, 20007, p 165). Coaches can use the constraint led approach to improve the performance of goals oriented tasks by into consideration the individual issues such as body sizes, mental skills, cognitive abilities and decision making skills. Apart from the physical factors, the coach must also seek to improve their student’s mental skills by enhancing their confidence and concentration levels. It is the role of the coach to motivate the athletes to perform and learn how to control their emotions. At the same time, the coach has the responsibility to train their learners to apply their perceptual and decision making skills such as the ability to recognize the patterns of play in the field. The learner must develop the ability to read the movements of their opponents and know to play safe although he/she must learn to take risks. The YouTube video (CCCU Sports Science, 2012) shows how various physical activities which are done by individual and team work. The trainer must also consider the physical and environmental factors before, during and the game or training sessions. As indicated in the YouTube video the training session is taking place in the indoor environment where is controlled temperature with audible auditorial system, proper lighting system. Also the video shows that there is well organized and constructed training pitch and facilities. The constraints led approach purports that coaching approach must take into consideration the performance issues and the governing rules for each sporting games. In so doing they are able to understand the rules of game play and help their students to apply the appropriate tactics, strategies and skills during the competitions. Bar Elli et al, (2011) claims that making decisions and judgments are important factors in sports coaching, because the athlete must always learn to evaluate the skills and ability of the opponents. The coach must therefore always perform background research information regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents. This implies that there must be high level of reasoning and perception when it comes to sporting competitions. Every athlete must involve higher level of cognitive development, which is the ability to make critical decisions and application of critical thinking. The role of the coach is to facilitate the training sessions to help the players to learn new skills, improve on their individual performance and at the same time enjoy themselves as shown in the YouTube video ( CCCU, 2012). Miles et al, (2004) have indicated that football training sessions must be well planned and prepared in advance to and the coach must use the coaching that is suitable to the specific players being coached. According to Miles et al (2004) coach must allow the players to express and develop their natural abilities and talents which they know best. The role of the coach is to nurture that talent and make sure that it grows further. These writers also argue that sports have the power to transform behaviors and therefore, a wise coach would use the games to change the attitude and transform the behavior of players. While, Jones and Potrac (2004) asserts that a successful coach is not just the one who wins games and but the one who is able to influence and mold the lives of young people to become successful people in life. To them. A coach is an educator and administrator who must apply their teaching skills, wisdom and leadership skills. It is only through this approach that a coach is able to manage the behavior of their athletes and thus prevent young people from indulging in drug abuse. Martens (2004) suggests that a successful coaching philosophy is based on three main cornerstones which are to build a team of winners, assisting the up coming young athletes to enjoy themselves and have fun and lastly, to motivate the young athletes by developing their psychological, social and physical skills. This should be done by taking into consideration the cultural, gender and social issues into consideration. A coach cannot be successful if he/she does not apply the principles of behavior, teaching, training and management. The principles of behavior incorporate the methods of communicating with the players with a view of providing motivation to promote discipline especially to athletes with behavioral problems. The principle of teaching deals with the introduction of gaming approach to coaching whereby the coach provides the learners / players with details on how to approach the game. This principle incorporates the new methods of approaching the game and how to apply the right techniques and tactical skills (Martens, 2004). Most athletes experience a great deal of increased stress before, during and after participating in various competitions. There are times when athletes would feel intense tension, fatigue, pressure or stress at the beginning of a football matches, rugby games and all other kind of games. The high levels of stress and pressure have caused concerns from the relevant coaches and trainers in various fields of sports that have opted to come up measures of dealing with problem or solving the issue. It has been identified that most athletes are losing a lot of respect and money not because they cannot deliver on their performance but because of too much anxiety, fatigue and stress that comes with expectations. Such situations have lead to poor performances (Edwards, 2010). Athletes can be distracted by many things including anxiety, fatigue, bad weather, public announcements, coach /manager’s attitudes, the opponent’s tactics and also his or her own personal attitudes, whether negative or positive before, during or after the competition. Therefore, the role of the coach is to prepare the athletes both physically and mentally as well as still discipline in them. Coaches are therefore obliged to devise ways and techniques of assisting the athletes to maintain their control and stay focused in the competitive situations either before or during the events. Such program would assist the athletes to gain confidence and optimize their performance in various sporting competitions. These techniques would also allow the athlete to relax and to focus his or her attention in the positive direction in preparing for the competition at hand. These measures also incorporate psychological training which are aimed at providing the athlete with a winning formula that would determine the performance athletes in various fields (Edwards, 2010). As shown in the YouTube Video (CCCU Sports Science, 2012), the training session begins with a team talk whereby the coach lays out his game plan giving instructional plan for what is to take place during the entire practice session. The principle of Physical Training incorporates the training programs that the coach has devised to enhance the performance but at the same time ensure that the athletes are safe and fit at all times. Physical training also deals with energy training for fitness, nutrition, fighting against drugs and how to develop muscles. Whilst, the Principles of Management includes the basic requirements for putting up, building and preparing the foundations for as successful team (Martens, 2004). Athlete must be psychologically conditioned and prepared to the tasks a head if they are to perform well. Such psychological training would enhance the athletes ability to concentrate and maintain focused in what he or she is doing in the field of sports. It has been argued that concentration is the key for every athlete especially in situations of stiff competitions. An athlete can only succeed with full focus on the tasks ahead because lack of focus would weaken the athlete against the opponent. A successful sport person should discover the weakness of his/her the opponent and capitalize on their mistakes to be able to win. Sustained concentration is required especially in almost all the sporting competitions football/ soccer, tennis, cycling, cricket, shooting, track and events athletics, swimming and all types of games. It is important for athletes to believe in themselves, remains relax and full of confidence before and during the matches. Relaxing before the beginning of a game is so vital for an athlete to generate the confidence required for winning the competition. In situations where there are hostile receptions, a coach must prepare them to deal with such occasions. Players must be taught and prepared to control their emotions and especially anger, anxiety, discouragements, disappointments. At the same time, it is the role of the coach to inspire the team towards a winning mentality through commitment and mental aptitude (Nicolls & Jones, 2013). Conclusion This paper has looked at the role of psychology in sports and particularly, about the issues around coaching. Having examined the YouTube Video and the related literature, the author concludes winning games in any given sporting events the players must be prepared in advance. Such preparations include coaching sessions which are well planned and devised in away that reflect the coming games. The coach has a big role to play here in preparing the athletes physically, mentally and socially through team talks, physical exercise sessions and different ways of boosting the confidence and motivation of players. The coach is not just a sports trainer but also a manager and teacher must assist the upcoming young athletes to discover their talents and improve on their own personal skills. Bibliography Bar-Eli, M., Plessner, H.& Raab, M. 2011. Theories of (Social) Judgment, in Judgment, Decision Making and Success in Sport. Chichester, UK. 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Coaching practice. Leeds [England: Published] on behalf of Sports Coach UK by Coachwise Business Solutions. Nelson, L.J & Cushion, C.J. 2010. “Reflection in Coach Education: The Case of the National Governing Body Coaching Certificate”. Human Kinetics Journal. TSP Volume 20, Issue 2, June Nicolls, A., & Jones, L. 2013. Psychology in Sport Coaching. Theory and Practice. London: Routledge. Vickers, J. N. 2007. Perception, cognition, and decision training: The quiet eye in action. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Read More