How I learnt to coach backwards

Teaching Methods

I still remember the day I was handed this document

it changed how I coached and helped players

Instead of introducing players to the beginning of the stroke or movement,

I started at the end, just before impact

This post is based on a paper called “Backward Chaining Teaching Method of Motor Skills” by P Chekkadurai & C Stothart 1978. The man who gave it to me was Roger Mills, my dear friend and mentor.

If you want to read the paper before listening to my thoughts, then click the link above.

The copy still has Rogers hand written comments. I make no excuse for that, in fact, I think it added to my understanding.

Backward Chaining Teaching Method

This is one of the most useful papers I have read

It recommends teaching aspects by starting at the ‘end’ of a sequential set of component parts. Introducing new aspects (thoughts, intentions, concepts, etc) after others (that happen near to the point of contact) have been partly mastered.

The player has to perform or think about something new, and then immediately perform the previously mastered action.

This is completely different to the way I was introduced to sequencing new learning. We were instructed to ‘start at the start’ of the movement.

It meant that players would try something new, partly master it, THEN I would introduce something new again.

I am not a sports scientist, and there are many things I don’t understand.

It may surprise some of my friends to hear that I’m not interested in exactly how and why some teaching/coaching methods work better than others.

What really does excite me is when something works and works with a variety of players…… now that really excites me!

Add this coaching method to your methodologies

It will provide new insights for you to consider and try out

Backward chaining works

Use it when developing both moving and striking

Backward chaining has at its core the fact that one part of a skill follows directly into another, and that can have a big influence on the next ‘link’ of the action. I hope my sports science friends don’t jump on me for using the word skill in this way.

Backward chaining can be used with skills that involve small, simple movements (single step) or more slightly complex, larger movements that include striking (long jump lunge/chasse approach).

There is certainly a different coaching philosophy /methodology between using backward chaining and ‘static practice’ as some coaches call it.

I’ve also used backward chaining in the teaching of some ‘complex’ hitting skills such as the overhead backhand.

My understanding only came after many hours of working with Roger and trying it out on the court. Reading about the methodology only partially prepared me.

My coaching delivery, plus my reflection, was full of trial and error.

However, soon I found that I could use the method in many situations

The immediate improvements

Try developing net shots combined with a movement

I managed to make practices feel more like games: have variability in feeding, players striking lots of shuttles, easily making the practice ‘tougher’ without necessarily increasing errors.

Most of all, the players were coping.

Improvements seemed faster, and when things went wrong, the first step was to take away the last element introduced.

By taking away the last introduced element, it gave both me and the player an opportunity to repeat the last few minutes and hopefully get that back to more successful outcomes.

The benefit was that it still felt like we were practising the stroke/ movement, but now the success level increased.

Rather than my previous approach of introducing new elements at the end of previously learned ones.

I realised that the players were benefiting from learning new elements at the start

of the practice and working towards previously learnt (or partly learnt) ones.

Strokes and Movements

The strokes and movements that will benefit from using Backward Chaining

Start from just before the contact and then work backwards

Consider amending the hitting action & body position to re-create that moment before striking

Advantages of using Backward Chaining

There is lots of ‘end skill reinforcement': players are always striking shuttles and trying to accomplish the task.
The last element (the hit) is continually worked on and reinforced; therefore, the method is high in positive reinforcement and accomplishment of the task
The introduction of new elements in a stroke or movement is always followed by previously ‘mastered’ (or partly mastered) and successful elements
If a technique/movement starts to breakdown then take away the new elements and repeat with the previously successful outcomes
The player is striking shuttles on every attempt. Less reliance (almost none) on shadow work for learning
Confidence through success is easier to achieve

Questions

These were all the questions I faced before I read this paper.

Then I became more familiar with the theory, and its aspects of ‘positive terminal reinforcement’.

Where would you start?

Could you apply Backward Chaining to your coaching?

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

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