What strong badminton opinions do you have?
Foundational beliefs that guide all you do
It’s also important to review and challenge them
This is a series of short blog posts in which I’ll outline my ‘absolutes’ and those of a few experts who have offered to share their thoughts.
There will be several different categories so that we can cover lots of ideas.
The beliefs that you hold strongly
Which ones do you currently have?
They could have started as general opinions, but over time, you’ve realised that they are more than that. They have become something that is one of your core beliefs.
You may even debate these with another coach at times.
You may wish to describe them as values or principles which you regarded as universally true in your coaching.
Some may be strong opinions or even coaching absolutes.
At any given moment, I’d hope that you are certain about some threads or concepts that you hold strongly regarding your coaching style and beliefs.
These can and probably will change as you gather more experiences and knowledge.
If your new wisdom is to be effective, it must be able to challenge the old.
Only by this process can you become wiser! 🙂
Why they are important to have
Having a set of core values is essential if you are to deliver effective coaching
Have you ever considered what you believe, maybe even written some short statements?
If you have, try placing them under the headings listed in the rest of this post. Hopefully, they will help create or identify some opinions you didn’t realise that you held 🙂
Your set of core beliefs should span all aspects of your work and will provide you with ….
- A structure to your thoughts, your plans and goals
- A guide when you are uncertain what to do
- Consistency in your interactions
- The ability to compare and reflect on your knowledge and experiences as they grow
As you have been reading, have you already started to realise that you have a list?
Technique
The essential components that you believe underpin strokes and movements
I’d ask you to think not about creating a list of named strokes or movements, but to state the elements or concepts within them.
The aspects (maybe rules) that transfer across different strokes and movements.
They are important because major changes or corrections in technique are very difficult to make successfully once a pattern has been established.
The aim of every coach is to try to avoid, even prevent, inappropriate techniques from developing. How this is achieved in another very important discussion.
Maybe how is the important aspect.
What are the essential technical unpinning components
that every player should be introduced to?
Tactical
I found this a tough concept to consider
What are the tactical concepts that you believe should be introduced from the start of a player’s journey? Do you have thoughts on how they would be laid and built upon? Or, do you just present ideas when the situation arises and the players are about to play in a tournament.
I often wonder if there are tactical concepts that once understood could be adapted in relation to changing game information and changes in a player’s skills or physical development. I’m sure there are, but what would you include on the list?
I’ve heard coaches say that tactics are ‘obvious’ but when asked to describe what they are or the tactical concepts that underpin them, they struggle to define them
When I tried this task I certainly didn’t find it easy. To write something down that makes sense was harder than I thought. It was only by talking with other coaches that the list of tactical underpinnings started to become clear.
Do you have any tactical concepts that all players should be introduced to?
Physical
A category that may be we all need to know more about
If someone asked you what the important physical threads that run throughout a player’s development are, what would you say?
Could you identify those aspects that you believe are important at the various stages of a badminton player’s development?
Or, would it be easier to suggest some themes (with a physical underpinning) that you’d encourage in novice players that would last a lifetime?
I’m sure professional S&C experts have opinions and firm beliefs, but are they also the same ones held by ‘regular’ badminton coaches?
As with all of these categories, I believe that you should create some opinions under a Strength & Conditioning heading, maybe even write them down! 🙂
This is the category that I know the least about and I’m still struggling to understand what the badminton physical absolutes should be.
If you want to send me some ideas from your list before I publish mine, I’d be happy to include yours and credit you.
Are you as knowledgeable in deciding what’s important for physical development
as you are in technical aspects?
Psychological
“Motivation is one of the most important factors in learning”
That statement would certainly be on my list.
Do you have strategies that you use when coaching players aimed at introducing and creating psychological skills?
The types of skills that will guide them for as long as they sport. Hopefully, skills that will guide them in life. 🙂
Your words and the way you interact with players, parents and other coaches will all have an effect. I’m suggesting that lots of the things you do and say could be on your list of psychological absolutes. That is, if you recognise them or that they are intentional.
Can you name your top 3 or 5 key absolutes that you aim to deliver to your players?
How intentional are you in creating strong, robust
and adaptable psychological skills in your players?
Coaching
The “How” of your coaching
Your how is underpinned by the ‘why’ you have decided to act as you do.
The deliberate actions you make are based on what: the experiences you’ve had, the people you listen to, the reflections you’ve had. You need to decide.
It may be more different than you realise. To understand and identify how you coach and how this was formulated
My core absolute coaching beliefs have changed 3 or maybe 4 times since I first started to coach.
The experiences I’ve gained and the new knowledge I’ve created have constantly challenged and changed my thoughts.
Consider ….
- The learning & practice methodologies you hold strong. What are they, and when did you become aware of them
- The coaching environment you like to create. Has it always been the same?
- How you act with and want to be seen by others (players, coaches, parents)
What coaching beliefs and concepts guide you?
Start writing a list now 🙂
Courtcraft & lifestyle
The game and life off court
This category will cover everything else that isn’t included above. I’m sure you will have some very strong and detailed beliefs that don’t fit neatly into the other categories.
Here are some headings to prompt some ideas to start thinking about
Competitions and rules – advice to guide players to maximise the advantages within the current rules
Lifestyle away from the court – the important essential themes away from the court
Training partners and opponents – your beliefs concerning how you create effective training environments
Send me a question
I’m always grateful if you have read this far.
If there is anything that you have read that has helped or that you disagree with, then please send me an email.
I promise to read all your comments
It would be great to hear from you contact@badmintonandy.com
