|GAINING AN EDGE | COACHING EDGE
harness it. A good coach will differentiate and
not attempt broad brush strokes.’
He stresses the mantra of any good coach that
everyone is an individual and different
approaches work for different people. The key
is to get to know the players and what makes
them tick, and Medina again points out that this
skill can be fed by experience.
Director of England
Hockey Danny Kerry
Conversely, to build up confidence after a
knockback is another skill coaches need. ‘You
cannot maximise your advantage if you are
lacking self-belief, or are disheartened. So it’s a
good thing to enhance confidence in players,
and to restore it if it has taken a knock. But it
must be done in a structured positive way. Not
after a heavy defeat, or in the cool-down after
a typically tough match. This is the coach’s role,
to be a leader and to give players the
knowledge that will ultimately set them apart
and give them the extra momentum. But it must
be done at the right time, and place, in a
structured and positive way.’
‘You can build on any negative result to create
a positive one when you review what
happened, and look to build on this to influence
your future performance,’ adds Medina.
Some coaches looking to get an extra edge in
certain sports have resorted to methods which
could be construed as gamesmanship, but
Kerry vehemently opposes this.
‘This is a whole new shady area, and not one I
would ever entertain, though in some sports the
value code may be different to ours. What was
once frowned upon, perhaps sledging in cricket,
for example, could now almost be seen by
some as part and parcel of the sport. Speaking
personally, I know there is a much greater return
when winning through methods which don’t
intrude on the value system of hockey.’
The mental attitude of an athlete is a major part
of gaining that extra edge – it gives you the
knowledge of when to shoot early, or break the
line. While these things seem purely instinctive
in certain players, it does seem to be the case
that the winners are the ones who stay focused
– and that can be taught. Be confident but not
over-confident, cool enough to have an
overview of the game and see the chances, but
enthusiastic and committed enough to fight right
down to the last second. C E
THE COACH’S EDGE
The benefit of sporting intelligence and
awareness kicks in again here. ‘In good teams,
successful teams, even when things have not
gone well for one reason or another, there is not
too much of a society of blame. There is a more
positive outlook, and such inquests will be less
negative.
It is elusive, but you can train for the winning edge. Noel Blake says:
‘Remember that the physical speed and skill can be trained for, but it always
works in conjunction with the mental and social capacity.’
Cultivate an open mind. ‘Nothing is out of bounds,’ says Blake. ‘Everything
can be developed.’
Practise becoming more aware – scan the scene constantly and react
accordingly.
Spatial awareness exercises and short sprints improve reaction time.
Check your shoulder. Ask yourself ‘where is my opponent?’ and use it to
your advantage.
Play in the future.
Think creatively. Danny Kerry used a programme known as ‘priming’ to
maximise Team GB’s Olympic performance at the right moment. ‘We
realised our games would be played every other day, starting at 4pm and
7pm, so we worked to ensure the players were primed for these specific
hours.’ Structured, light morning training produced a hormone which stayed
with the players throughout their matches.
Reflect. Eduardo Perez y Medina says: ‘Video and structured technical
overviews give players the tools to progress. It’s all about empowerment
and making players ultimately become in charge of their own process.’
Pick your moment for constructive criticism. Medina again: ‘Do this at the
right time. Not when too many other things are going on or when too much
adrenaline is flowing.’
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