Dan Cottrell catches up with one of the leading researchers on using games in training, Shane Pill. Shane is Associate Professor in Physical Education and Sport at Flinders University, Australia, a practising coach, coach developer and author of many papers around sports coaching. A list of some of his most recent work is below this post.
The discussion in the podcast explores the following:
Do we need to know the difference between the different approaches to using games in training, for example, between games-based approaches, constraints-led approaches, games-sense and gamification?
How “games” differ for novices and experts.
When does coaching happen within a game.
When you need to breakout of the game and for what reasons.
How Shane has developed his approach to coaching through games in his experiences working in schools.
Why we need to plan questions for games and not get distracted by the game in training.
The impact of different groups of “learners” on the style of your coaching (and this isn’t about learning styles).
Applying Mossten’s teaching styles in a game-based training session.
How not all your sessions should be about learning.
How games can be used for recall and rehearsal as well as learning.
Some examples of Shane’s most recent research papers/book contributions.
Pill, S. (2021). Introduction: games-based coaching. In Perspectives on game-based coaching (pp.xvii-xxviii).Routledge.
Pill, S. & SueSee, B. (2021). The game sense approach as play with purpose. InPerspectives on game-based coaching (pp.1-10).Routledge.
Hewitt, M. & Pill, S. (2021). Exploring pedagogical tensions: providing practical examples for tennis coaches to navigate a shift to game-based coaching. In Perspectives on game-based coaching (pp.96-107).Routledge.
Pill, S. & Reynolds, D. (2021).Exploring coach educators’ experiences with developing game-based coaching. Perspectives on game-based coaching (pp.108-116). Routledge.
Pill, S. (2021). Reconciling approaches: Informing game sense pedagogy with a constraints-led perspective. In Game Sense for Teaching and Coaching: International Perspectives. Routledge.
Curry, C., & Pill, S. (2021). Concluding thoughts: Game Sense for teaching and coaching globally. In Game Sense for Teaching and Coaching: International Perspectives. Routledge.
Agnew, D. & Pill, S. (2021). Creating caring environments: An exploration of football managers and coaching. Sports Coaching Review, Published online: 18 Mar 2021
Cruickshank, V., Pill, S., & Mainsbridge, C. (2021). Just do some physical activity. Exploring experiences of teaching physical education online during Covid-19. Issues in Educational Research, 31(1), 76-93.
Williams, J., Pill, S., & Hewitt, M. (2021). I think everyone is on board with changing how we do things, but we are yet to find a best fit model: A figurational study of assessing games and sport in physical education. Sport Education and Society, 26(3), 253-266
Dan talks to two key people from the Crusaders Coaching Leadership Programme™: Crusaders International Academy Manager Grant Keenan, and Kaila Colbin, CEO of Crusaders leadership training partner Boma.
They share their experience of working with the 13-time Super Rugby winners from New Zealand, and how the team has built their culture and environment MORE
Dan Cottrell speaks to Inside Running Academy boss, Mike Rogers. Mike, who's just finished a season in the US MLR with the New England Free Jacks talks openly about his experience coaching in both his homeland of New Zealand and the States.
There is a very moving passage where we discuss vulnerability and authenticity. Mike's message about his relationship with rugby and his family will strike many chords with coaches. MORE
Dan is joined by Gary Townsend, the Bristol Bears Junior Academy Manager to chat about Mark Poole's question about his colts team.
They are struggling to implement their backs moves and shape in matches, despite training going well and skills levels remaining high. MORE
Dan Cottrell chats to Owen Woods, Community Rugby Coach for Gosport & Fareham RFC.
Owen was previously in the Air Force for 4½ years and then the police for 17 years. In June 2021 he started up his full-time role to promote rugby and its core values, the vision being to put the club and values at the heart of the community.
He has coached his son's rugby team for the last six years. He is a level 2 coach, a qualified referee working in schools in the local community delivering rugby sessions to children from 7 to 13. MORE
Dan chats with former Fiji captain Deacon Manu, who's now coaching in Singapore.
Deacon has traveled the rugby world, representing Fiji and the Maori All Blacks, as well as playing for Waikato Chiefs and the Blues in Super Rugby and then for the Scarlets in Wales.
They chat about the coaches he's experienced and now coaching with developing players and new players to the game. MORE