Great Britain Hockey 93026 GBH Talent Development Framework Booklet | Page 14

Environment
For many generations,
coaching within hockey
has separated out what we
see or ‘reading the game’
(perception) from technique
(action) and the ever-changing
and variable context in which it
occurs (the game).
The most common presentation
of this is in closed skill, drill-
based exercises focusing on
discrete skills.
However, in highly interactive,
invasion games like
hockey, research*** is now
unequivocal in supporting
a contextually appropriate
learning environment where
perception and action are
coupled.
The ‘Golden Thread’ (Figure 2)
is offered as a guide to help
coaches design effective
practices within their learning
environment.
Fun!
Constant
decision
making
GOLDEN
THREAD
Looks
something
like the
game
Figure 2: Golden Thread
Lots of
touches of
the ball
Stretch
“
The role of
the coach
is to be a
facilitator
”
*** Great Britain Hockey working in partnership with England Hockey, Hockey Wales and Scottish Hockey
 For an introduction see Chow, J. Y., Davids, K., Button, C., & Renshaw, I. (2015) Non-linear pedagogy in skill acquisition: An introduction. Abingdon, Routledge
14