Dan catches up with one of the leading lights of ecological dynamics, Rob Gray.
Rob is the professor of Human Systems Engineering at Arizona State University. In the coaching world, he is better known for the Perception and Action podcast.
I ask Rob to give us a basic guide to what is meant by ecological dynamics and perception-action coupling in a sporting context. It includes an outline of how the constraints-led approach gives the players opportunities to develop.
The discussion moves around the following topics:
How does our training sessions need to adjust?
What are we doing already which is probably effective, though we didn’t know?
How do we coach areas of the game which need players to have a safe understanding of the movements involved?
How would you coach place-kicking and how do we add pressure effectively.
In a team context, how does a constraints-led approach work?
How close to the real game do we need to get, and conversely, how far away can we get too?
To find out more about Rob’s extensive work and research go to perceptionaction.com
Dan Cottrell speaks to awarding winning coaches Dan Lycett and Ross Williams about their approach to coaching. Dan is head of PE and Sport and Ross is head of Athletic Development at St David's College, in North Wales.
They've won the Independent Schools Association award for outstanding sport (small school) and been nominated for the Independent Schools Association award for innovation, recognising their provision during lockdown.
We chat about how they have introduced a more ecological approach to their coaching, allowing their players to find meaning and have a more self-determined approach. MORE
Dan speaks to RFU national panel referee Adam Wookey about age grade tackle height changes, ball carrier height laws plus the new 50:22 and drop outs instead of 5m scrums being trialled at international rugby. MORE
Dan speaks to Bristol Bears defence coach, Omar Mouneimne.
Omar has coached with the Springbok 7s, the Sharks and Stomers Super Rugby teams, the Italian national team, Stade Francais, Edinburgh, Worcester Warriors as well as plenty of consultancy work. MORE
Dan speaks to coaches Mike Pope and Rhys Williams about how they’ve used what they’ve learned from reading Doug Lemov’s book: A Coach’s Guide to Teaching. Here are some of Doug’s thoughts after listening to the podcast Until it comes unprompted when we aren’t reminded to think about it, we probably haven’t learned it. “Interleaving... MORE
Nick Scott is director of rugby at Rugby Colorno. He previously spent 20 years helping to build a world respected coaching department at England Rugby, with 9 years as National Coach Development Manager.
We chatted about:
Why Nick isn't a reflective coach
When not to use questions
Speaking a different language in a different country
Building better relationships with people, not just players MORE
Dan chats to Lisa Lane Brown about how we can practically improve mental toughness with our athletes and players.
Drawing on her experience, first as a world-class ice hockey player and then as a mental skills coaches, she gives us recognisable steps for flipping the switch from nerves into confidence. MORE
