Be ready, coaches will always have an opinion
Some you may agree with, others not
How will you react
I’ve found that there are many seemingly opposing ideas and concepts
that in certain contexts I can agree with
It’s ok to have different opinions
I’ve had and heard lots of different opinions
Many times I found myself saying ‘it depends,’ ie context is very important
I’ve found that there are many seemingly opposing ideas and concepts that, in certain contexts, I can agree with and use, and in others, I don’t think that they are applicable.
I’m sure that I hold strong views that in isolation may seen contradiuctory but when context is applied, they make sense to me and hopefully other coaches.
Equally, there are some ideas, concepts, and theories that I can’t see any value in.
Rationalise thoughts by using a “Sphere of Agreement”
It’s ok to have different opinions,
even opinions that may seem opposing
The sphere (not circle) allows me to have different viewpoints for an argument depending on the context and questions.
It allows me to ‘place arguments that are sometimes opposing (that I can accept), but critically place some viewpoints outside the sphere
Why use the Sphere of Agreement
It’s ok to hold what are seemly opposing viewpoints and be happy about that
I’m sure you can create situations based upon a player’s skill level & motivation, where one method may be best, whilst for another player (even the same player at a different time or stage of development), a similarly opposite method would be selected.
Both could be seen as ‘correct’ in the two differing contexts.
The coaches’ task is to use their judgment and decision-making to select what they think is appropriate at that moment.
As knowledge and experience increase, the coach will become skilled at making more and more judgments. Selecting which one to act upon will require thought, consideration and rejection of other options. Albeit, maybe only temporary rejection.
This also applies to accepting other people’s viewpoints
As long as no harm is caused by these viewpoints, they are worthy of examination.
Ask for context (lots of it) before judging, and practical, effective examples.
Explaining why context is important and why you are asking questions can often result in others accepting (or at least understanding) what are seemingly opposing viewpoints.
Hopefully, other coaches will understand that its posisble to hold different viewpoints (it depends) at the same time.
This is your sphere;
only you can place arguments/viewpoints inside or outside the sphere
When is something "In" or "Outside"
There will be opinions that you cannot accept, even with context
Statements that cannot be procen by analysing what happens in a game. Not practice, but a competitive game between equally matched players.
Statements that have no basis in sports science or coaching theories: formulated through myth and over simplified rationals.
Opinions based on experience (narrow or limited) and not based on theory of game play, cognitive science, or pedagogy.
These will be placed outside of your sphere.
However, those on the inside may still seem opposing to each other, but once context is provided, you feel happy to include these ‘2 opposing thoughts’
Example
Your challenge
Ttopics that may cause you to create differing viewpoints depending on the context
- The effect of errors in practice and the use of deliberate error-full and error-less practice
- The use of unopposed multi shuttle vs single shuttle practice methods
- The preparation position of the racket for overhead strokes
- How and When tactics are introduced, developed and the role of gameplay
- The first set of strokes/movements to be introduced to a novice player
How many do you have a firm, established, non-negotiable view ?
Do you want a conversation?
I’d like to hear from you if you have a viewpoint on anything that you’ve read
We don’t need to agree, but explore viewpoints.
It would be great to hear from you, send me an email : contact@badmintonandy.com
This is part of a series of conversation starters.
Although not in detail, the posts are written to get you thinking and talking with others.
