Coach Questions : Should I use a technical model?

Challenges, Coach Questions

A coach sent me these questions

Should coaches be looking to implement a technical model?

What information is out there to use?

How would you reply to the coach?

What would be your advice?

What happened next

I emailed the coach and asked what interested them about this subject

In part, I was trying to create some thinking space for myself: should I choose to reply?

They emailed back within 24 hrs and said that they had been searching for something that outlined essential beginner skills, something that gave them guidelines to follow.

Guidelines rather than specific Do’s & Don’ts.

They wanted to know how to ensure that the aspects they encouraged prevented or limited future errors and that their players had the “best start” that they could give them.

Interestingly, they also mentioned that after several discussions with other coaches, they felt that some were too prescriptive in terms of what should be “taught” to young players.

I closed the email and started to worry

Has anyone published information concerning a set of core techniques

that all novice players should be introduced to?

I’ve split the question into smaller chunks

A – Should coaches be using badminton technical models?

B – How flexible is the model you decide to use?

C – The Technical model I use

D – Coaches creating their own model

First a Warning!

The skill is to apply the advice in context

To adhere to a technical model or coaching methodology without considering the player is not effective coaching.

There are so many “it depends” that the model you follow should only be part of your overall strategy when delivering the information. It may end up being an important part, but certainly there are other aspects to consider.

What do you expect from any model?

Do you expect the technical model to be a list of strokes & movements?

Do you want the model to contain detailed technical elements and components?

Do you require technical “signposts” and descriptions that you could decide to translate into practice?

Models will provide ‘Technical Information’, they probaly wont give you information on

How to Coach this information or how to selct what and when to coach it

Should coaches be using badminton technical models?

The quick answer is yes

If you need information and either don’t have any or want an alternative viewpoint, then someone’s technical model is a place to start.

Some information is better than trying to decide everything yourself. Yes, it’s possible, but it could take several years or players to understand if the things your coach and in order you coach them works best.

Why not seek out what others are suggesting?

Search the internet, ask others in your area or contact your National organisation. Then reflect on it, challenge it, compare it to your beliefs.

But, be careful

Can you identify how the author of anything you find has created their model?

Is it based on practical experience, the work of others, or just a theoretical opinion.

Will you find contradictions either within the information itself or with some of your beliefs.

If you would like to experience deciding between contradictory statements (advice), click on the two posts below and consider some I’ve heard.

Hopefully, it isn’t simply a list of strokes & movements, but a series of essential components that describe the hitting & moving skills. pLus it includes advice relating to the scaffolding (layering) of practice aims, tasks, and challenges.

Technical models apply most importantly to the coaching of beginner/novice players

in the first 2 – 3 years that they engage with badminton

How flexible is the model you decide to use?

Any technical models that specify badminton techniques need to have a degree of flexibility within them.

You may have to consider how much flexibility, as this could vary. You may also find that your initial interpretation is not exactly what the author intended.

Flexibility and coach choice is required to adapt to ….

Be skilled at finding the essential key parts of any model

Then be equally skilled at understanding how to adapt these to your players’ specific needs

The Technical model I use

Created by the only person I’ve found who was interested in this subject

I’ve outlined the information in a series of posts for you to consider.

The model I like to use contains statements that describe the components of hitting and moving skills.

Some components may look similar to strokes and movements you know by a specific name, whilst others will refer to small but critical aspects of larger, more complex movements.

The content is always in my mind, especially when working with young players

My task is to design lots of practices and ensure that they include these striking and moving basics.

My goal is for the practice/task to introduce and develop the elements without the need for me to continually reinforce them through verbal instructions.

I find that there is an enormous amount of flexibility for me within each of the technical playing basics.

Coaches creating their own model

Have you considered creating something similar?

Initially, try to generate a list of the “essential” technical basics. These aspects that underpin the hitting (striking) and movement aspects.

The task of considering what, if any, technical elements exist is certainly challenging,
but I promise that you will find it rewarding.

Remember, these are not a list of strokes

Questions to consider about your technical model

Do the elements you’ve listed appear as part of different stokes/movement skills?
Could they be introduced in their own right?
Is there a possibility of using them to “error proof” players against inappropriate techniques?
What do other coaches say about your list?

Some coaches avoid models

You may decide that following any model or guidelines with young novice players is not something that you believe in.

I’ve heard from some coaches who believe that initially, players should experience badminton without any guidelines, directions, or prescribed practices.

“Just let them play”… they often say

“I don’t want to over-coach them”

They suggest that this is a more enjoyable way of initially experiencing badminton and that enjoyment must be uppermost with these players.

For them, technical models restrict individual choice and development in young players.

Whats your view about this?

Would you have answered the question differently?

If you feel that I’ve missed any important points, it would be great to hear from you.

Please send me an email.

I promise to read all your comments

It would be great to hear from you contact@badmintonandy.com

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