I am very much into coaches being creative and thinking outside the box. if you ever get to see my warm ups for a childrens class you will know what I mean.
Often coaches teach the way they were taught, they don’t recognise the need to teach in different ways to different pupils.
I had the following on You Tube clip recommended to me by a tutor at Bath University, Andy Hibbert. Take 20 minutes to listen to it, it is informative and very funny, I will post my comments on it in a few days but please listen and apply it to your life, be that coaching or interacting formally with children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY
Hope it works and will come back to this ver soon
Marc
Monday, 10 August 2009
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Wild Horses
I haven’t posted for a while but have been thinking about lots of things in relation to Judo, Martial Arts and Sport in general so I thought it was time to pull this blog out, it is smoothing I have been thinking about for a while.
I love reading and have read a number of books on Genghis Khan in recent months. I am drawn to the basic brutality of the Stepps in Russia and the hardships face day to day. In a world of hardship the punishments they had for breaking rules were even harder.
The idea of a man being torn limb from limb, imagine having a rope tied to each limb, and then these ties to horses, the riders then take the strain and your body is lifted from the ground. You feel your body stretch in four opposing directions, limbs, muscles and sinews stretch and slowly tear. It is agonising you know you can’t fight it – eventually the limbs are ripped from your body and you die in excruciating pain.
Go from that to Wimbledon where last week the LTA have their championship and most British players get knocked out in the first round. This prompted the British Minster Minister for Sport to make comment along the line of If you don’t win you shouldn’t get funded
So you want funding you have to perform, so the athlete has one rope tied to one arm – Perform or don’t get funded, a policy from GOVENERMNET imposed on British sport. It is one of the cornerstone of Elite funding in the UK.
Some sports forgo much grass roots funding and focus on Elite performance – examples Sailing and Cycling and produce results and get more money. They did this by a centralised training centre – a performance institute. So other NGB’s adopt this.
So to the opposite leg we tie a rope of centralised training.
Then funding comes along for the use of Strength and conditioning, Sports Scientists nutritionalists, all have to be ‘approved’ by the NGB, another rope another arm. Can you imagine one of the best sports psychologists wanting to work with your Olympian – only to be told if he did his funding would be cut – because the psychologist wasn’t on a government list.
Then the NGB say we know best and will manage all events and you go where we say train and compete when we say – the fourth rope. Imagine a centralised performance system where 30% of the Elite players choose to stay in their own training centres and face funds being cut.
Now in some sports say cycling and sailing all the riders of the horses are told to ride together at the same speed in the same direction – toward performance success, they get there pull the athlete – who has to work to keep up, doesn’t always get it easy but is in one piece with Olympic success. At Bejing only one cyclist didn’t get a podium finish and that was due to a crash in the final!
However some sports in this case Judo the players don’t know who are riding the horses and those rider just seem to do their own thing – and the potential talent of the athlete isn’t utilised as the athlete and their chances of success are torn to pieces.
Think about your sport and the athletes you know – how many waste time fighting the system and how many try to change the system?
I love reading and have read a number of books on Genghis Khan in recent months. I am drawn to the basic brutality of the Stepps in Russia and the hardships face day to day. In a world of hardship the punishments they had for breaking rules were even harder.
The idea of a man being torn limb from limb, imagine having a rope tied to each limb, and then these ties to horses, the riders then take the strain and your body is lifted from the ground. You feel your body stretch in four opposing directions, limbs, muscles and sinews stretch and slowly tear. It is agonising you know you can’t fight it – eventually the limbs are ripped from your body and you die in excruciating pain.
Go from that to Wimbledon where last week the LTA have their championship and most British players get knocked out in the first round. This prompted the British Minster Minister for Sport to make comment along the line of If you don’t win you shouldn’t get funded
So you want funding you have to perform, so the athlete has one rope tied to one arm – Perform or don’t get funded, a policy from GOVENERMNET imposed on British sport. It is one of the cornerstone of Elite funding in the UK.
Some sports forgo much grass roots funding and focus on Elite performance – examples Sailing and Cycling and produce results and get more money. They did this by a centralised training centre – a performance institute. So other NGB’s adopt this.
So to the opposite leg we tie a rope of centralised training.
Then funding comes along for the use of Strength and conditioning, Sports Scientists nutritionalists, all have to be ‘approved’ by the NGB, another rope another arm. Can you imagine one of the best sports psychologists wanting to work with your Olympian – only to be told if he did his funding would be cut – because the psychologist wasn’t on a government list.
Then the NGB say we know best and will manage all events and you go where we say train and compete when we say – the fourth rope. Imagine a centralised performance system where 30% of the Elite players choose to stay in their own training centres and face funds being cut.
Now in some sports say cycling and sailing all the riders of the horses are told to ride together at the same speed in the same direction – toward performance success, they get there pull the athlete – who has to work to keep up, doesn’t always get it easy but is in one piece with Olympic success. At Bejing only one cyclist didn’t get a podium finish and that was due to a crash in the final!
However some sports in this case Judo the players don’t know who are riding the horses and those rider just seem to do their own thing – and the potential talent of the athlete isn’t utilised as the athlete and their chances of success are torn to pieces.
Think about your sport and the athletes you know – how many waste time fighting the system and how many try to change the system?
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Drugs In Sport 2
Following various comments on My Drugs In Sport post I have decided to continue the chain of thought this morning.
Given the death and the speculation around the death of Michael Jackson this week I want to talk about addiction. We often think of drug addicts as ‘Crack Heads’ or Heroin Users, the guy who smokes a joint of weed ever night, but it goes beyond this.
The speculation is MJ became addicted to prescription pain killers following the Pepsi hair incident, something that he stated to use as a crutch and it is this small piece of the world of addiction and drugs dependence I want to discuss.
Am I an addict? Am I addicted to adrenalin....I need to get a good buzz every week, be that through training, Windsurfing, a judo competition or performing on stage. I am dependant on tea – I can’t function in the morning without a good strong cuppa, and I don’t drink Alcohol but anyone who has seen me study knows the amount of diet coke I drink.
I am an aware of these things – I know I have an addictive personality but I manage it – I don’t find myself needing to feed these beyond what might be deemed ‘normal’ or high usage. Everybody in my opinion has an addiction something you can’t do without, it might be a daily routine that just makes you feel right........think what’s yours.
How many players do you see strapping a joint to support it during rehabilitation who then 10 weeks latter are still strapping it or putting on a knee brace – just in case. If it is needed this long it needs medical and rehabilitation work.
I know a former international who now takes an anti-inflammatory over the counter medication before competitions – just in case! I know a number of young players who at 16 are taking creatine supplements – way beyond the capacity of their bodies to process – because they have been told to by coaches. When they change coaches they DONT change the supplement programme.
All these actions could be explained as ‘athlete routines’ all of them could become additions and dependence. As coaches we need to manage them, my son has eczema and a number of allergies – it was recommend by a doctor to try a cod liver oil and vit supplement for 3 months. Now to ensure he took it we have given it to him at breakfast – as part of a routine, after the first month we ran out we got a replacement but it was a different brand and didn’t taste right for him so we went back to the original – as we enter month 3 he will only take the pills at the same tie otherwise its not right.
We are on the verge of it becoming a behaviour and a habit – it may be good it may be bad, we know because we miss days ‘ by accident’ and he doesn’t complain, but this could so easily go the other way if he was not being monitored.
So in Sport in general there is lots of drugs misuse, and dependence – and it’s not all steroids and high performance stuff. Te scary thing is many people don’t know they are doing. Take supplements many surveys have shown up to 20% of off the self products are contaminated with ‘banned’ substances.
In the past we have had high level cases or drugs tests failed due to Green Tea, high caffeine levels etc, but next time you with your team look around – who always straps up, who is taking medicine – just in case or I don’t want to get A or B........think about who is dependent on artificial stimulants to enhance performance. It might not be illegal but as coaches and players what should we do, what are the ethics of you as a coach, as a player. When does enhancing training become an athlete’s dependency issue?
I don’t have the answers, an those I find often lead to more questions but I welcome you comments on these few badly articulated thoughts.
Given the death and the speculation around the death of Michael Jackson this week I want to talk about addiction. We often think of drug addicts as ‘Crack Heads’ or Heroin Users, the guy who smokes a joint of weed ever night, but it goes beyond this.
The speculation is MJ became addicted to prescription pain killers following the Pepsi hair incident, something that he stated to use as a crutch and it is this small piece of the world of addiction and drugs dependence I want to discuss.
Am I an addict? Am I addicted to adrenalin....I need to get a good buzz every week, be that through training, Windsurfing, a judo competition or performing on stage. I am dependant on tea – I can’t function in the morning without a good strong cuppa, and I don’t drink Alcohol but anyone who has seen me study knows the amount of diet coke I drink.
I am an aware of these things – I know I have an addictive personality but I manage it – I don’t find myself needing to feed these beyond what might be deemed ‘normal’ or high usage. Everybody in my opinion has an addiction something you can’t do without, it might be a daily routine that just makes you feel right........think what’s yours.
How many players do you see strapping a joint to support it during rehabilitation who then 10 weeks latter are still strapping it or putting on a knee brace – just in case. If it is needed this long it needs medical and rehabilitation work.
I know a former international who now takes an anti-inflammatory over the counter medication before competitions – just in case! I know a number of young players who at 16 are taking creatine supplements – way beyond the capacity of their bodies to process – because they have been told to by coaches. When they change coaches they DONT change the supplement programme.
All these actions could be explained as ‘athlete routines’ all of them could become additions and dependence. As coaches we need to manage them, my son has eczema and a number of allergies – it was recommend by a doctor to try a cod liver oil and vit supplement for 3 months. Now to ensure he took it we have given it to him at breakfast – as part of a routine, after the first month we ran out we got a replacement but it was a different brand and didn’t taste right for him so we went back to the original – as we enter month 3 he will only take the pills at the same tie otherwise its not right.
We are on the verge of it becoming a behaviour and a habit – it may be good it may be bad, we know because we miss days ‘ by accident’ and he doesn’t complain, but this could so easily go the other way if he was not being monitored.
So in Sport in general there is lots of drugs misuse, and dependence – and it’s not all steroids and high performance stuff. Te scary thing is many people don’t know they are doing. Take supplements many surveys have shown up to 20% of off the self products are contaminated with ‘banned’ substances.
In the past we have had high level cases or drugs tests failed due to Green Tea, high caffeine levels etc, but next time you with your team look around – who always straps up, who is taking medicine – just in case or I don’t want to get A or B........think about who is dependent on artificial stimulants to enhance performance. It might not be illegal but as coaches and players what should we do, what are the ethics of you as a coach, as a player. When does enhancing training become an athlete’s dependency issue?
I don’t have the answers, an those I find often lead to more questions but I welcome you comments on these few badly articulated thoughts.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Sailing for Black
Todays blog is a mix match of thoughts, I have an number of things on my mind at the moment some I have blog written but its not yet appropriate to post yet.
One of my other loves is sailing, and a close family friend Alex Sizer is currently part a team all set to break the record of circumnavigating the British Isles in a sailboat. See the full story here:
http://www.aviva.com/media/news/4933/
So best of luck Alex and co.
I am off next week to Bath University for more coach training – this time the UKCC level 2 in Strength & Conditioning for Sport. It amazes me the number of coaches who assume because they are qualified to teach a job class they feel they can advise athletes on everything from nutrition to conditioning training. I hope that following this I can set proper well developed strength and conditioning programmes for my players, and do so knowing they are right not what I think is right.
Talking of my players I have just achieved what I believe is the aim of all participation players, I have just had two players who I taken from total beginners to their 1st Dan. One made national start up squad and then 12 months ago moved from the school I teach at, so had to advise remotely, the other started in the same class on the same day. I have taken him around over the past 12 months doing theory events, gradings and competitions. From a group of 6 boys at 14 who finished a 10 week beginners course 2 now are now Dan grade in 3 years and 8 months.
For a participation coach this I feel is eth point you know you have done you apprenticeship. Having spent years assisting and working different classes, to manage a player from white to black I feel is the ultimate goal.
The interesting thing is that I have only been able to do it because I acknowledge what I don’t know and get other coaches to come and teach techniques I might not do but suit the player, also to send him away to classes and coaches to develop different skill sets.
I suppose we should run coach education courses on knowing when to ask for help and knowing our own weaknesses.
Just a few thoughts.
One of my other loves is sailing, and a close family friend Alex Sizer is currently part a team all set to break the record of circumnavigating the British Isles in a sailboat. See the full story here:
http://www.aviva.com/media/news/4933/
So best of luck Alex and co.
I am off next week to Bath University for more coach training – this time the UKCC level 2 in Strength & Conditioning for Sport. It amazes me the number of coaches who assume because they are qualified to teach a job class they feel they can advise athletes on everything from nutrition to conditioning training. I hope that following this I can set proper well developed strength and conditioning programmes for my players, and do so knowing they are right not what I think is right.
Talking of my players I have just achieved what I believe is the aim of all participation players, I have just had two players who I taken from total beginners to their 1st Dan. One made national start up squad and then 12 months ago moved from the school I teach at, so had to advise remotely, the other started in the same class on the same day. I have taken him around over the past 12 months doing theory events, gradings and competitions. From a group of 6 boys at 14 who finished a 10 week beginners course 2 now are now Dan grade in 3 years and 8 months.
For a participation coach this I feel is eth point you know you have done you apprenticeship. Having spent years assisting and working different classes, to manage a player from white to black I feel is the ultimate goal.
The interesting thing is that I have only been able to do it because I acknowledge what I don’t know and get other coaches to come and teach techniques I might not do but suit the player, also to send him away to classes and coaches to develop different skill sets.
I suppose we should run coach education courses on knowing when to ask for help and knowing our own weaknesses.
Just a few thoughts.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Developing Judo
Today’s Blog is based on a chain of thought I have been developing over the past week given a few facts I came across whilst researching a job application. Some of the points I have made on the BJA Forum
It is based on Judo in the UK but will resonate in many countries
Interesting that in a recent survey by I think it was Sport England or Sport UK they assessed that there were over 100,000 people did judo in the UK but the BJA as the National Governing Body only represented 20-25% of them. A fact acknowledge by the BJA CEO- Scott McCarthy and the board of directors.
So the NGB represent directly the minority of participant – but are the largest single body. To which several of eth other larger groups, BJC, AJA and army forces associations are affiliated.
Recent funding funding from Sport England has been secured to develop the participation in Judo which should mean the BJA working with ALL Judo providers whether they like it or not. But the only figures they can track effectively are their own membership.
I believe there is nothing stopping other bodies being commissioned by Sport England to do participation development in Judo.
Then add the Government introduction of National Standards in Coaching - the UKCC level 1 and 2. Those in Judo have been developed by the BJA and currently these are only delivered by the BJA.
Many sports use Level 1 as a way to get parents into coaching, and level 2 as eth basic level for a club based coach. The BJA have set high levels of grade as a prerequisite for eth courses and introduced a competency test or assessment for non BJA judoka. The cost of this test – at LEAST £ 200.
The UKCC qualification is universal for ALL judoka to create a national standard regardless of organisation. You could argue the BJA are preventing that by making the competency test too expensive.
I have heard that the BJA have been questioned by the UKCC over the £200 min they charge to asses non BJA Grades re their standard in Judo (competency test). I believe the phrase they used is excessively high. Anyone got any input on this?
If this were to be true isn’t this the sort of thing that just alienates people or feeds their fears.
Bear in mind it is £ 20 for a technical Dan grade and most good coaches/examiners could assess you level of Judo even if you didn't have a BJA grade in 20 - 30 minutes. After all you do that with every visiting Judoka at your dojo.
Imagine what would happen if others started to deliver the UKCC level 1 or 2 in Judo, which in theory they could do with the right assessors and verifiers etc.
So on one hand the BJA is being funded to develop Judo in the UK. On the other they have a coaching system – designed to bring in National Standards that is not going to do so as it is cost prohibitive to non BJA members.
How to engage with other non NGB organisation in a productive manner?
The question is you need to acknowledge them, but how do you engage with those on the middle ground whilst avoiding the extremists and the loopy loonies who will react against anything?
If we are to trying to engage with other groups shouldn't we be consistent across the board?
As a BJA member I do Judo, I do Sport Judo, I do traditional Judo, I do Kata based Judo ( badly) I love Judo as do many others – I am happy to help develop judo and if anyone needs marketing help and advice for a club or group I would be happy to help.
Help Judo grow do you bit.
Mussings for the day.
It is based on Judo in the UK but will resonate in many countries
Interesting that in a recent survey by I think it was Sport England or Sport UK they assessed that there were over 100,000 people did judo in the UK but the BJA as the National Governing Body only represented 20-25% of them. A fact acknowledge by the BJA CEO- Scott McCarthy and the board of directors.
So the NGB represent directly the minority of participant – but are the largest single body. To which several of eth other larger groups, BJC, AJA and army forces associations are affiliated.
Recent funding funding from Sport England has been secured to develop the participation in Judo which should mean the BJA working with ALL Judo providers whether they like it or not. But the only figures they can track effectively are their own membership.
I believe there is nothing stopping other bodies being commissioned by Sport England to do participation development in Judo.
Then add the Government introduction of National Standards in Coaching - the UKCC level 1 and 2. Those in Judo have been developed by the BJA and currently these are only delivered by the BJA.
Many sports use Level 1 as a way to get parents into coaching, and level 2 as eth basic level for a club based coach. The BJA have set high levels of grade as a prerequisite for eth courses and introduced a competency test or assessment for non BJA judoka. The cost of this test – at LEAST £ 200.
The UKCC qualification is universal for ALL judoka to create a national standard regardless of organisation. You could argue the BJA are preventing that by making the competency test too expensive.
I have heard that the BJA have been questioned by the UKCC over the £200 min they charge to asses non BJA Grades re their standard in Judo (competency test). I believe the phrase they used is excessively high. Anyone got any input on this?
If this were to be true isn’t this the sort of thing that just alienates people or feeds their fears.
Bear in mind it is £ 20 for a technical Dan grade and most good coaches/examiners could assess you level of Judo even if you didn't have a BJA grade in 20 - 30 minutes. After all you do that with every visiting Judoka at your dojo.
Imagine what would happen if others started to deliver the UKCC level 1 or 2 in Judo, which in theory they could do with the right assessors and verifiers etc.
So on one hand the BJA is being funded to develop Judo in the UK. On the other they have a coaching system – designed to bring in National Standards that is not going to do so as it is cost prohibitive to non BJA members.
How to engage with other non NGB organisation in a productive manner?
The question is you need to acknowledge them, but how do you engage with those on the middle ground whilst avoiding the extremists and the loopy loonies who will react against anything?
If we are to trying to engage with other groups shouldn't we be consistent across the board?
As a BJA member I do Judo, I do Sport Judo, I do traditional Judo, I do Kata based Judo ( badly) I love Judo as do many others – I am happy to help develop judo and if anyone needs marketing help and advice for a club or group I would be happy to help.
Help Judo grow do you bit.
Mussings for the day.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Division and Participation
Today I want to look at the divisions in Judo
Interesting that a lot of the conflicts of opinion are in relation to traditional judo. Kano would be the first to admit that judo evolves. Modern 'sport' judo or Olympic judo has come about because of changes in society that Judo has reflected.
Judo is one of the most adaptive of sports responding to cultural and political and economic pressure. Examples - the move to sport was due to the treaties past WW2 when martial arts were not allowed. The affiliation/ return to co-operating with the BJA, of BJC and AJA to the BJA was part in order for there to be British Team at the Olympics in 1964 then 1972.
Judo was radically affected by the break up of the Soviet Union and we are the first International Sporting organisation to change qualification procedure to the Olympics because the global economic situation.
Judo absorbs moves and ideas from the cultures in which it practices, but those who try to re imbued it with traditional Japanese values misunderstand where Kano was going and therein lies the problem.
Judo has progressed due to conflict – a person grows up in a club wants to coach, the coach doesn’t want him to as he’s not ready – he get frustrated leaves sets up his own club....now we have 2 clubs not 1 doing judo. Similar situations have seen the formation f organisations – the BJA was the first in Europe and then leading to the formation of the IJF, we tend to do that a lot in England – codify sports.....But when someone doesn’t like you rules they do their own thing – BJC http://www.britishjudocouncil.org is a classic example – its formation was a reaction to the BJA www.britishjudo.org.uk
This can help the sport grow.
Various forums and blogs have discussed the World Judo Alliance. My personal opinion is it is a bit of a con. THE advertising standards in the UK would be aghast to see that this ‘world’ organisation is not even represented or have clubs in 5% of the countries doing judo at the Olympics
I believe the World Judo Alliance are a bunch of individuals who don’t know where they are going and someone wants to make money out of it. However there are some key points they address that are worthy of not in terms of support to clubs and coaches and these are things the BJA are doing – but what you do with 6 clubs or 18 clubs is a lot easier to talk about than what you do with a National Governing Body.
The key issue in the England over the next 4 years is participation Sport Englands plan to Grow, Sustain and Excell. www.sportengland.org
We a have to ask ourselves do we want people to be doing judo – in whatever from Kata, BJC AJA, or BJJ or a private company doing schools judo or do we want the whole of the UK to do just BJA/EJU/IFJ judo.
My personal opinion is you get them doing judo then you get them to find the best club to suit them, and eventually if they are informed enough to see if BJA is better for them or some other organisation.
TTFN
Marc
Interesting that a lot of the conflicts of opinion are in relation to traditional judo. Kano would be the first to admit that judo evolves. Modern 'sport' judo or Olympic judo has come about because of changes in society that Judo has reflected.
Judo is one of the most adaptive of sports responding to cultural and political and economic pressure. Examples - the move to sport was due to the treaties past WW2 when martial arts were not allowed. The affiliation/ return to co-operating with the BJA, of BJC and AJA to the BJA was part in order for there to be British Team at the Olympics in 1964 then 1972.
Judo was radically affected by the break up of the Soviet Union and we are the first International Sporting organisation to change qualification procedure to the Olympics because the global economic situation.
Judo absorbs moves and ideas from the cultures in which it practices, but those who try to re imbued it with traditional Japanese values misunderstand where Kano was going and therein lies the problem.
Judo has progressed due to conflict – a person grows up in a club wants to coach, the coach doesn’t want him to as he’s not ready – he get frustrated leaves sets up his own club....now we have 2 clubs not 1 doing judo. Similar situations have seen the formation f organisations – the BJA was the first in Europe and then leading to the formation of the IJF, we tend to do that a lot in England – codify sports.....But when someone doesn’t like you rules they do their own thing – BJC http://www.britishjudocouncil.org is a classic example – its formation was a reaction to the BJA www.britishjudo.org.uk
This can help the sport grow.
Various forums and blogs have discussed the World Judo Alliance. My personal opinion is it is a bit of a con. THE advertising standards in the UK would be aghast to see that this ‘world’ organisation is not even represented or have clubs in 5% of the countries doing judo at the Olympics
I believe the World Judo Alliance are a bunch of individuals who don’t know where they are going and someone wants to make money out of it. However there are some key points they address that are worthy of not in terms of support to clubs and coaches and these are things the BJA are doing – but what you do with 6 clubs or 18 clubs is a lot easier to talk about than what you do with a National Governing Body.
The key issue in the England over the next 4 years is participation Sport Englands plan to Grow, Sustain and Excell. www.sportengland.org
We a have to ask ourselves do we want people to be doing judo – in whatever from Kata, BJC AJA, or BJJ or a private company doing schools judo or do we want the whole of the UK to do just BJA/EJU/IFJ judo.
My personal opinion is you get them doing judo then you get them to find the best club to suit them, and eventually if they are informed enough to see if BJA is better for them or some other organisation.
TTFN
Marc
Sunday, 10 May 2009
A Judokas Charter
Start this blog at a ridiculous hour – 7.30 am having travelled for 90 minutes to get to a Judo competition for a 7.30 weigh in. Now I don’t mind early weigh in but this is for a Junior team event. Why is it is it so early? The reason is bad planning in my opinion on the part of the Hosting county.
Last year the Southern area team event in the UK was a four mat event, matches starting at 10 and finishing around 4. This year the hosts have decided a two mat event is enough. I hope so, but does the idea of players having to travel for 2 hours to weigh in at 7.30 am fit with NGB LTPD for junior athletes, I see children of 12 looking like they are burly awake as they try to get ready to fight. I hope the day doesn’t drag.
After the first team match for the boys which didn’t start until gone 9am the organisers decide to alternate as the girls have just finished weighing in and they might as well start was the official line!
In the UK with the recent change of grading structures many county and area organisations have lost revenue. This should be made up by an increase in low level completion- however it appears they are making the short fall by running large events on the cheap. two mats not four which mean less outlay on halls, on referees and officials.
This is not an isolated case. The British Master was last year a 4 mat event with close to 160 senior men and 30 senior women. A good days judo with a packed schedule of fighting. Initially the area hosting it wanted to run it along side there area 10/11 trails on the same day and same venue. It was only due to pressure from competitors they have now agreed to split the two events.
So the question I ask today is what do we as consumers, spectators and competitors want, are we going to be driven by the need of the NGB and its areas to make money or our need to gain competition experience for our players? Should the NGB under their new strategic plan to Sustain, Grow and Excell from now until 2013, consider us as consumers and adopt a marketing strategy to set expectations and fulfil them.
The NHS have a patents charter, Schools have a pupils charter so ....
Imagine a Judoka Charter for events. Every Judoka competing at an event has the rite to expect .... what?
Well here is my Judoka Charter for competitions:
Every Judoka has the rite to
1. Compete in fair and equitable completion under IJF rules and those of the NGB.
2. BE protect from intimidation by other players and coaches both on and off the mat.
3. Expect suitable and efficient First Aid provision
4. A nominated weigh in time which should be no more than 2 hours form the start of their weight category.
5. Be kept fully informed of the format of the day’s events
6. A safe well maintained changing area
7. Suitable warm up facilities
Would I be wrong to expect such basic things? Because from what I see at the moment you get this at some events and not at others. What do you think should be on it...?
Perhaps next time I will do a blog on a parents charter for what to expect from your Judo club...
Bye for Now
Last year the Southern area team event in the UK was a four mat event, matches starting at 10 and finishing around 4. This year the hosts have decided a two mat event is enough. I hope so, but does the idea of players having to travel for 2 hours to weigh in at 7.30 am fit with NGB LTPD for junior athletes, I see children of 12 looking like they are burly awake as they try to get ready to fight. I hope the day doesn’t drag.
After the first team match for the boys which didn’t start until gone 9am the organisers decide to alternate as the girls have just finished weighing in and they might as well start was the official line!
In the UK with the recent change of grading structures many county and area organisations have lost revenue. This should be made up by an increase in low level completion- however it appears they are making the short fall by running large events on the cheap. two mats not four which mean less outlay on halls, on referees and officials.
This is not an isolated case. The British Master was last year a 4 mat event with close to 160 senior men and 30 senior women. A good days judo with a packed schedule of fighting. Initially the area hosting it wanted to run it along side there area 10/11 trails on the same day and same venue. It was only due to pressure from competitors they have now agreed to split the two events.
So the question I ask today is what do we as consumers, spectators and competitors want, are we going to be driven by the need of the NGB and its areas to make money or our need to gain competition experience for our players? Should the NGB under their new strategic plan to Sustain, Grow and Excell from now until 2013, consider us as consumers and adopt a marketing strategy to set expectations and fulfil them.
The NHS have a patents charter, Schools have a pupils charter so ....
Imagine a Judoka Charter for events. Every Judoka competing at an event has the rite to expect .... what?
Well here is my Judoka Charter for competitions:
Every Judoka has the rite to
1. Compete in fair and equitable completion under IJF rules and those of the NGB.
2. BE protect from intimidation by other players and coaches both on and off the mat.
3. Expect suitable and efficient First Aid provision
4. A nominated weigh in time which should be no more than 2 hours form the start of their weight category.
5. Be kept fully informed of the format of the day’s events
6. A safe well maintained changing area
7. Suitable warm up facilities
Would I be wrong to expect such basic things? Because from what I see at the moment you get this at some events and not at others. What do you think should be on it...?
Perhaps next time I will do a blog on a parents charter for what to expect from your Judo club...
Bye for Now
Friday, 8 May 2009
What makes Good Judo?
I haven’t blogged for a while as I have been tied up with degree assignments and posting on the BJA forum. It is an area of the forum I wanted to try explore today.
Background
Someone posted 4 video clips
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2363
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2657
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2686
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2598
The thread title was Worst Olympian Ever!!!! The author said this must be the worst Olympian ever as he has no heart. Something I disagreed with. So the discussion then lead to what define good and the best Judo is it hoe effective it is – winning the fight no matter how, ...winning with Ippon?
Full thread is here:
http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=24&Number=46680&Searchpage=1&Main=2551&Words=&topic=1&Search=true#Post46680
When chatting with Lance Wicks (www.judocoach.com) we looked how do you judo good judo? If it is about beating the opponent then style doesn’t come into it nor does the level of the score – it is about playing the rules.
Playing the rules happens in other sports Formula 1 and the 6 wheeled McClaren of the 1970’s, or the current new diffuser boxes, or the Sailing final that saw Ben Ainsley win gold by not trying to win a race only using the laws of sailing to make his nearest competitor get a low ranking.
You might not like countries loading events with competitors pre Olympics to stop key players from other countries qualifying but it was within the rules if not the spirit of Judo.
So what is good judo?
Someone said to me it was about Ippon Judo nothing more or less – so is 4 minutes of negative judo getting 3 shido’s good judo... as long as you produce one attack that scores you Ippon?
I was looking for a way of rating items that went to good Judo at an ELITE OLYMPIC level...the list I came up with is
My idea on good judo for the Olympics performance judo– different at non recreational level – so if you have these qualities then your judo is good if not judo is bad, and by rating these on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the excellent 1 being the worst or nonexistent, and adding the score up you could create a scale to rate the best and worst performers at an Olympics.
It is not extensive nor is it exclusive. I would like to try and keep lists to 10, so what’s your list? If something on my list is in your opinion wrong please say why and what you would re place it with?
1. Commits to attacks
2. Moves and controls partner with skill as well as strength
3. Ability to use tactics and strategy in fights
4. Adapts the judo to opponent, both using pro active and reactive Judo, passive and aggressive states.
5. Wins fights
6. Doesn’t give up, eg. Carries on fighting to escape in Osekomi ( heart or motivation)
7. Has a variety of scoring techniques, sides and directions
8. Has a variety of gripping patterns and grips
9. Consistent, both fight to fight and from Tachi Waza to Ne Waza
10. Mentally sharp and switched on – able to think to adapt within a completion and fight.
I am trying to keep it to intrinsic quality regardless of the support network, coach etc. 3 Are Psychological, 3 are technical the other cross a couple of boarders.
So the thought I will leave you is what is good judo and how will you recognise it and recognise it in young players...as we have no frame work or points of reference....would love your comments.
Background
Someone posted 4 video clips
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2363
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2657
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2686
http://www.judovision.org/?p=2598
The thread title was Worst Olympian Ever!!!! The author said this must be the worst Olympian ever as he has no heart. Something I disagreed with. So the discussion then lead to what define good and the best Judo is it hoe effective it is – winning the fight no matter how, ...winning with Ippon?
Full thread is here:
http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=24&Number=46680&Searchpage=1&Main=2551&Words=&topic=1&Search=true#Post46680
When chatting with Lance Wicks (www.judocoach.com) we looked how do you judo good judo? If it is about beating the opponent then style doesn’t come into it nor does the level of the score – it is about playing the rules.
Playing the rules happens in other sports Formula 1 and the 6 wheeled McClaren of the 1970’s, or the current new diffuser boxes, or the Sailing final that saw Ben Ainsley win gold by not trying to win a race only using the laws of sailing to make his nearest competitor get a low ranking.
You might not like countries loading events with competitors pre Olympics to stop key players from other countries qualifying but it was within the rules if not the spirit of Judo.
So what is good judo?
Someone said to me it was about Ippon Judo nothing more or less – so is 4 minutes of negative judo getting 3 shido’s good judo... as long as you produce one attack that scores you Ippon?
I was looking for a way of rating items that went to good Judo at an ELITE OLYMPIC level...the list I came up with is
My idea on good judo for the Olympics performance judo– different at non recreational level – so if you have these qualities then your judo is good if not judo is bad, and by rating these on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the excellent 1 being the worst or nonexistent, and adding the score up you could create a scale to rate the best and worst performers at an Olympics.
It is not extensive nor is it exclusive. I would like to try and keep lists to 10, so what’s your list? If something on my list is in your opinion wrong please say why and what you would re place it with?
1. Commits to attacks
2. Moves and controls partner with skill as well as strength
3. Ability to use tactics and strategy in fights
4. Adapts the judo to opponent, both using pro active and reactive Judo, passive and aggressive states.
5. Wins fights
6. Doesn’t give up, eg. Carries on fighting to escape in Osekomi ( heart or motivation)
7. Has a variety of scoring techniques, sides and directions
8. Has a variety of gripping patterns and grips
9. Consistent, both fight to fight and from Tachi Waza to Ne Waza
10. Mentally sharp and switched on – able to think to adapt within a completion and fight.
I am trying to keep it to intrinsic quality regardless of the support network, coach etc. 3 Are Psychological, 3 are technical the other cross a couple of boarders.
So the thought I will leave you is what is good judo and how will you recognise it and recognise it in young players...as we have no frame work or points of reference....would love your comments.
Monday, 13 April 2009
The First Coach
Having finished at Bath University on Friday I had a 2 hour trip home a change of bags and a 700 mile drive to Oban in Scotland. During this time I reflected on the awesome time I had at Bath. I suppose one of the enduring memories will be chatting with four world champions and them reflecting on what made their Judo.
Some of this is available a pod cast of an interview session with three of them. But what was surprising was the common ground, the supportive nature of their parents and EVERY one of them and several of the Olympians who where there as well all noted that their first instructors where instrumental in their development.
So if they say this was important why is it that beginner’s class in the west are not taught by the most experienced coaches? Why is there no specialised training and coach education courses aimed at coaching beginners? I teach beginners and always have, my first coaching jobs were helping with a “Try Judo” Course. I was helping a 5th Dan and learnt a lot. Even now my 14 week beginner’s course with the Army has 3 experienced coaches, a 5th 4th and 2nd Dan, running it with every lesson review and improved.
Our National Governing Bodies talk about retention and increasing the number of Judoka who move from school to club judo, we talk about increasing the number of lesson for beginners and getting people to try but we never talk about raising the standards of coaches for beginners’.
This week I have had lectures on Pedagogy, now I have had these as a teacher and through CPD at some of the private schools I teach at , but I have NEVER had such in depth discussion in an academic way about different stages of physical, emotional and psychological development. I will need to develop this into my coaching ensuring a level commensurate with the pupils being taught but surely an NGB should be doing this not leaving it to university courses?
Next time your club runs a beginners’ class put the most experienced coach in charge, see if it makes a difference,. Try and think like a new comer to the sport would these classes encourage you to carry on and is the coach inspirational, will they encourage kids or adults to be the best Judoka they can be?
I will expand these ideas next time and hope to look at the environment within your club – and your classes and how this may help or hinder some players and what we can do about it.
Speak soon.
Marc
Some of this is available a pod cast of an interview session with three of them. But what was surprising was the common ground, the supportive nature of their parents and EVERY one of them and several of the Olympians who where there as well all noted that their first instructors where instrumental in their development.
So if they say this was important why is it that beginner’s class in the west are not taught by the most experienced coaches? Why is there no specialised training and coach education courses aimed at coaching beginners? I teach beginners and always have, my first coaching jobs were helping with a “Try Judo” Course. I was helping a 5th Dan and learnt a lot. Even now my 14 week beginner’s course with the Army has 3 experienced coaches, a 5th 4th and 2nd Dan, running it with every lesson review and improved.
Our National Governing Bodies talk about retention and increasing the number of Judoka who move from school to club judo, we talk about increasing the number of lesson for beginners and getting people to try but we never talk about raising the standards of coaches for beginners’.
This week I have had lectures on Pedagogy, now I have had these as a teacher and through CPD at some of the private schools I teach at , but I have NEVER had such in depth discussion in an academic way about different stages of physical, emotional and psychological development. I will need to develop this into my coaching ensuring a level commensurate with the pupils being taught but surely an NGB should be doing this not leaving it to university courses?
Next time your club runs a beginners’ class put the most experienced coach in charge, see if it makes a difference,. Try and think like a new comer to the sport would these classes encourage you to carry on and is the coach inspirational, will they encourage kids or adults to be the best Judoka they can be?
I will expand these ideas next time and hope to look at the environment within your club – and your classes and how this may help or hinder some players and what we can do about it.
Speak soon.
Marc
Friday, 3 April 2009
TV, Judo and Rules
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
Thomas Alva Edison
I start with a quote today because I have been involved in planning the next Bath EJU debate this year. In my opinion lots of good topics we dismissed because the research looked like it would be hard work.
Well we have a debate title and hopefully we will stream it live on the net on 6th August 2009.
I would like your help if you have an opinion on the following....
Do you feel that the IJF have had rule changes to try and get TV coverage? If so what example would you give?
Also do you believe influence TV has had has been positive or negative. If you can give example let me know.
The reason being we are going to be debating this and I want to try and see if there are common opinions from the rank and file Judoka.
I was also wondering what rule change do you think would help get TV coverage?
When exploring the idea I generally thought about TV and its effect on sport. For instance football kick off times being altered to suit TV companies, the swimming at the Olympics taking place in the morning so it can go live in the major TV markets...or the Athens Olympic Marathon taking place in the peak of the day...for TV.
I agree TV brings in money to a sport through sponsorship and broadcast rites. It raises the sports profile and therefore encourages participation. But is it something that a sport like Judo should chase? Could we compete with boxing and MMA as a TV spectacular?
I don’t have answers yet just questions....your thoughts please.
Thomas Alva Edison
I start with a quote today because I have been involved in planning the next Bath EJU debate this year. In my opinion lots of good topics we dismissed because the research looked like it would be hard work.
Well we have a debate title and hopefully we will stream it live on the net on 6th August 2009.
I would like your help if you have an opinion on the following....
Do you feel that the IJF have had rule changes to try and get TV coverage? If so what example would you give?
Also do you believe influence TV has had has been positive or negative. If you can give example let me know.
The reason being we are going to be debating this and I want to try and see if there are common opinions from the rank and file Judoka.
I was also wondering what rule change do you think would help get TV coverage?
When exploring the idea I generally thought about TV and its effect on sport. For instance football kick off times being altered to suit TV companies, the swimming at the Olympics taking place in the morning so it can go live in the major TV markets...or the Athens Olympic Marathon taking place in the peak of the day...for TV.
I agree TV brings in money to a sport through sponsorship and broadcast rites. It raises the sports profile and therefore encourages participation. But is it something that a sport like Judo should chase? Could we compete with boxing and MMA as a TV spectacular?
I don’t have answers yet just questions....your thoughts please.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Non Fomral Learning
I sit at a desk tonight as I type this, having spent two days at Bath University on the EJU Level 4 coshing course. This 3 year block route course is the only of its kind in Europe. An extensive course on coaching Judo at an Elite level.
http://www.bath.ac.uk/sports/foundation/judo/index.html
Over the past two days we have been discussing how coaches learn. I have been looking at a concept of non-formal learning – the discussion, experiences and reflective practices that allow a coach to develop, where there is no formal structure or aim.
Do you as a coach reflect and keep a diary or note book of what you do well and can improve?
I suppose that this Blog is a way of me expressing idea that I haven’t always formulated as part of my coaching philosophy. Any one reading this could consider it to be non formal learning – as long as you discuss the idea.
I find it interesting that many sports NGB’s don’t have a formal CPD programmes, the BJA in Britain definitely don’t. But they are a bit Jurassic in their approach. They don’t recognise discussion and reading a form of development, they are non formal learning if you start to act on the information and actively engage with the subject. However it is non-formal learning that they try and promote as part of their paid courses discussion groups, break out groups, work in pairs and think about ...etc.
Maybe I am bias as the BJA send their staff on the EJU level 4 and 5 courses but don’t allow coaches to carry the qualification on their coaching licence – as it is not recognised by the BJA, but they will acknowledge it for coaching revalidation.
Now when you have stopped laughing just ask yourself how good is your coaching, and when was the last time you consider what you do well and why it works or what you could improve on and how you could do that.
I personally have a couple of coaches who help mentor me and discuss classes and incidents. I find these inform feedback sessions and mentoring invaluable. I think every coach should be able to chat and develop ideas. Those discussions should be suitable to note down and put in your coaching portfolio.
Just a thought for the day
http://www.bath.ac.uk/sports/foundation/judo/index.html
Over the past two days we have been discussing how coaches learn. I have been looking at a concept of non-formal learning – the discussion, experiences and reflective practices that allow a coach to develop, where there is no formal structure or aim.
Do you as a coach reflect and keep a diary or note book of what you do well and can improve?
I suppose that this Blog is a way of me expressing idea that I haven’t always formulated as part of my coaching philosophy. Any one reading this could consider it to be non formal learning – as long as you discuss the idea.
I find it interesting that many sports NGB’s don’t have a formal CPD programmes, the BJA in Britain definitely don’t. But they are a bit Jurassic in their approach. They don’t recognise discussion and reading a form of development, they are non formal learning if you start to act on the information and actively engage with the subject. However it is non-formal learning that they try and promote as part of their paid courses discussion groups, break out groups, work in pairs and think about ...etc.
Maybe I am bias as the BJA send their staff on the EJU level 4 and 5 courses but don’t allow coaches to carry the qualification on their coaching licence – as it is not recognised by the BJA, but they will acknowledge it for coaching revalidation.
Now when you have stopped laughing just ask yourself how good is your coaching, and when was the last time you consider what you do well and why it works or what you could improve on and how you could do that.
I personally have a couple of coaches who help mentor me and discuss classes and incidents. I find these inform feedback sessions and mentoring invaluable. I think every coach should be able to chat and develop ideas. Those discussions should be suitable to note down and put in your coaching portfolio.
Just a thought for the day
Monday, 16 March 2009
Books, The Internet and Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki
Books are often over looked by young people as a source of information. They grass on the internet skimming through lot of information. Though they don’t know the source and their credentials they will often cite things as being true because it was on the Internet.
The same can be true of Judo – player trying techniques they have seen on You-tube that are wholly in appropriate to their size, maturity and skill level.
Digital Natives in Judo is an excellent talk by Lance Wicks and forms part of a BJA coach revalidation day. For those of you who have seen his lecture it listen to this Analysis from Radio 4 broadcast on 15th March– it is on the BBC website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00j17xt
There are 3 days left to listen to it, it explores youngster reliance and how different generations use the Internet.
I was coming back from London Last night from the Budokwai when I heard it and I had an idea – as a marketing tool or teaching aid – why not provide a class with example of a throw you are teaching taht can be found on You-Tube? Allowing them also to see the classics form the great masters of the past.
Which brings me back to books many youngsters prefer DVDs to book when learning or finding out about judo which is a shame.
One of eth nicest Judo books ever produced is Fighting Judo by Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki with Photos by Terence Donovan. A must for any true Judo library.
It was at the Training session at the Budokwai in London last night that I met Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki and experienced just how versatile his Yoko-Tomanage is and his amazing ground work skills. It was a mixture of randori and training session and I know his 5 students from Tokyo University had a great time.
I was saw things I couldn’t work out on the mat and so i trotted back to the book at home to revisit. It was an exceptional mat with 9th Dan’s, World Champions, former Olympic Medallists and it struck Judo is a beautiful sport – orange belts training along side and fighting Olympic champions in a warm fun environment no other sport could do this.
When I left I didn’t take photo to go on the web site as some might – for me it was about the experience and knowing – no matter what happens in the future I have met, trained with and experienced the beautiful judo of Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, a Judo Legend and the author of one of the definitive books on Judo.
Speak again soon.
The same can be true of Judo – player trying techniques they have seen on You-tube that are wholly in appropriate to their size, maturity and skill level.
Digital Natives in Judo is an excellent talk by Lance Wicks and forms part of a BJA coach revalidation day. For those of you who have seen his lecture it listen to this Analysis from Radio 4 broadcast on 15th March– it is on the BBC website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00j17xt
There are 3 days left to listen to it, it explores youngster reliance and how different generations use the Internet.
I was coming back from London Last night from the Budokwai when I heard it and I had an idea – as a marketing tool or teaching aid – why not provide a class with example of a throw you are teaching taht can be found on You-Tube? Allowing them also to see the classics form the great masters of the past.
Which brings me back to books many youngsters prefer DVDs to book when learning or finding out about judo which is a shame.
One of eth nicest Judo books ever produced is Fighting Judo by Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki with Photos by Terence Donovan. A must for any true Judo library.
It was at the Training session at the Budokwai in London last night that I met Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki and experienced just how versatile his Yoko-Tomanage is and his amazing ground work skills. It was a mixture of randori and training session and I know his 5 students from Tokyo University had a great time.
I was saw things I couldn’t work out on the mat and so i trotted back to the book at home to revisit. It was an exceptional mat with 9th Dan’s, World Champions, former Olympic Medallists and it struck Judo is a beautiful sport – orange belts training along side and fighting Olympic champions in a warm fun environment no other sport could do this.
When I left I didn’t take photo to go on the web site as some might – for me it was about the experience and knowing – no matter what happens in the future I have met, trained with and experienced the beautiful judo of Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, a Judo Legend and the author of one of the definitive books on Judo.
Speak again soon.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Team Selection
I have had a hectic week with a number of events and competitions. As a coach one of my schools caused me a huge problem, the reason team selection. How do you select a team as a coach, 22 eligible players but only allowed to enter a team of 12.
Three age groups under 14, 14 – 16, and 16 – 19 year olds, you could then have up to 3 players in a weight group. With a team comtpeition based on medal rankings so how do you pick the team?
Do you select the 12 players with the best chance of winning in a weight group? Or do you select the 12 players who have committed and turned up at training?
Do you have a policy that is open and people know what they need to do to get in, then select the top 12, or do you look at the event selecting suitable players – perhaps excluding good players because their chances in an age/weight group may be limited?
Judo is an individual sport but when you put a team together how important is team cohesion. Some sports like Netball may exclude some players at higher levels because they don’t fit the teams cohesion but may be better than players included.
In my case I took 18 players everyone available, not with other commitments or injuries, no-one was told of weights to make, they arrived and we weighed them, then selected the team. I know some where disappointed but as a team 8 out of 12 had podium places, we came 2nd in the team event But the best thing was though 12 fought we had a team of 18.
Everybody had a role and function during the day and there was no stars, every fight was watched and supported the good and the bad, no criticisms just strong support.
At the end of the day I came to a conclusion that a coach shouldn’t worry about selecting a team it is a coach’s job to build a team, the team is more than the individual player it is the essence of your club, its’ spirit. When you chose individuals to fight it is the spirit of the player and what it adds to the team reflecting its values is important.
I am a participation coach first and an elite coach second – perhaps that effects my judgement but your comments are appreciated.
Till next time.
Marc
Three age groups under 14, 14 – 16, and 16 – 19 year olds, you could then have up to 3 players in a weight group. With a team comtpeition based on medal rankings so how do you pick the team?
Do you select the 12 players with the best chance of winning in a weight group? Or do you select the 12 players who have committed and turned up at training?
Do you have a policy that is open and people know what they need to do to get in, then select the top 12, or do you look at the event selecting suitable players – perhaps excluding good players because their chances in an age/weight group may be limited?
Judo is an individual sport but when you put a team together how important is team cohesion. Some sports like Netball may exclude some players at higher levels because they don’t fit the teams cohesion but may be better than players included.
In my case I took 18 players everyone available, not with other commitments or injuries, no-one was told of weights to make, they arrived and we weighed them, then selected the team. I know some where disappointed but as a team 8 out of 12 had podium places, we came 2nd in the team event But the best thing was though 12 fought we had a team of 18.
Everybody had a role and function during the day and there was no stars, every fight was watched and supported the good and the bad, no criticisms just strong support.
At the end of the day I came to a conclusion that a coach shouldn’t worry about selecting a team it is a coach’s job to build a team, the team is more than the individual player it is the essence of your club, its’ spirit. When you chose individuals to fight it is the spirit of the player and what it adds to the team reflecting its values is important.
I am a participation coach first and an elite coach second – perhaps that effects my judgement but your comments are appreciated.
Till next time.
Marc
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
LTPD and a great Manager
LTPD
Today I want to chat about Long Term Player Development. This has to ne a god thing as long as it is not just performance focused. Many LTPD plans are focused on performance and goals not on holistic player development. Too many coaches don’t see LTPD as part of there remit when they should.
Alex Fergusson the Manchester United Manager is an excellent LTPD coach. HE has player from 12 and many he takes to the pinnacle of their careers. Often the relationship only stops when one or two conditions are meet.
1.The player fails to maintain the standards Fergusson sets for off field and private life activities. E.g. David Beckham
2. The player is given a choice by Fergusson, you can play as a squad member with limited starts or as you are still a good player move clubs to play as a first choice.
Fergusson will blood a younger player and then remove them form the first team to build on their weaknesses, as he did with player like Wes Brown, he also allows for injuries and drops in performance as he did with Alan Smith and Ben Foster.
Fergusson plays the short game – season by season but has long plans 4 – 8 years for his future teams – he is on his 4th rotation of teams over 20 years – that is Long term Player devlopment. But Fergusson has gives his players exit strategies.
They hit 30 – 35 and they are already working towards coaching awards – look at the number of ex- Manchester United Players now managing in the premiership who all were put on the ladder by Fergusson. Ryan Giggs is the current older player moving on this path.
Now does this relate to Judo.....to me it is about a whole player – I have a student who is currently getting points for his Black Belt, once he get it he will slack off his judo because of exams – but in the next year he will do a coaching award.
So many times we see elite level athletes’ who get injury and leave the sport because the LTPD is focused on performance, at places like Bath the Elite players do degrees laying the foundation of the exit strategy. The problem is Judo like many sports is focused on the Olympic cycle if you might be too old you are out, a dip in form you are out. A true LTPD programme should support during injuries and help develop suitable exit strategies for players.
SO I think:
1. Every player recreational or performance should have an LTPD plan
2. It should reflect the needs and desires of the player.
3. The exit and contingency strategies are as important as the goals and time scales.
4. Coaches should be judged not just on immediate results but there LTPD.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Have a good day.
Marc
Today I want to chat about Long Term Player Development. This has to ne a god thing as long as it is not just performance focused. Many LTPD plans are focused on performance and goals not on holistic player development. Too many coaches don’t see LTPD as part of there remit when they should.
Alex Fergusson the Manchester United Manager is an excellent LTPD coach. HE has player from 12 and many he takes to the pinnacle of their careers. Often the relationship only stops when one or two conditions are meet.
1.The player fails to maintain the standards Fergusson sets for off field and private life activities. E.g. David Beckham
2. The player is given a choice by Fergusson, you can play as a squad member with limited starts or as you are still a good player move clubs to play as a first choice.
Fergusson will blood a younger player and then remove them form the first team to build on their weaknesses, as he did with player like Wes Brown, he also allows for injuries and drops in performance as he did with Alan Smith and Ben Foster.
Fergusson plays the short game – season by season but has long plans 4 – 8 years for his future teams – he is on his 4th rotation of teams over 20 years – that is Long term Player devlopment. But Fergusson has gives his players exit strategies.
They hit 30 – 35 and they are already working towards coaching awards – look at the number of ex- Manchester United Players now managing in the premiership who all were put on the ladder by Fergusson. Ryan Giggs is the current older player moving on this path.
Now does this relate to Judo.....to me it is about a whole player – I have a student who is currently getting points for his Black Belt, once he get it he will slack off his judo because of exams – but in the next year he will do a coaching award.
So many times we see elite level athletes’ who get injury and leave the sport because the LTPD is focused on performance, at places like Bath the Elite players do degrees laying the foundation of the exit strategy. The problem is Judo like many sports is focused on the Olympic cycle if you might be too old you are out, a dip in form you are out. A true LTPD programme should support during injuries and help develop suitable exit strategies for players.
SO I think:
1. Every player recreational or performance should have an LTPD plan
2. It should reflect the needs and desires of the player.
3. The exit and contingency strategies are as important as the goals and time scales.
4. Coaches should be judged not just on immediate results but there LTPD.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Have a good day.
Marc
Sunday, 1 March 2009
A bit of History and a Dream
Today I fulfilled a small dream.
I taught at the Budokwai in London.
http://www.thebudokwai.com/
The oldest Judo Club in Europe. I was fortunate enough to be on the coaching team for a training season for Boys attending the Headmasters Conference Independent Schools championship next week.
For those who have never been the Budokwai’s reception is full of photos of the great and good of British Judo from Palmer and Inman to Stevens and Jacks, form Sweeny to Adams they all have trained there.
Watching my boys look at the these and be more impressed by Guy Richie than Angelo Parissi, it made me realise how little they know about Judo in the UK. Now that may be my fault as a coach but how much do we teach our students about the history of Judo?
To me the Budokwai was a place my dad trained in the 1960’s and was iconic in my judo upbringing. It was hallowed ground, I wonder with modern training centres if there will be places like that in the future.?
So perhaps I will dig out old clip on You-tube of Starbrook or Jacks and recount their big wins. I am fortunate I have Jane Bridge as a tutor at Bath University but my students don’t know she was the first ever Female Judo World Champion in New York where she also won the Style Award. Perhaps we have Judo traditions on the mat but it might be time for me to start and let students know about the footsteps they are following in.
I hope 2012 in London will give 1000’s of young judo players an inspiration and the ability to say I remember when I saw....... today I added my own first ...the day i first bowed on as a guest coach at the Budokwai.
It is the small things that mean a lot.......hope you fill a small dream soon they make life feel sweet.
I taught at the Budokwai in London.
http://www.thebudokwai.com/
The oldest Judo Club in Europe. I was fortunate enough to be on the coaching team for a training season for Boys attending the Headmasters Conference Independent Schools championship next week.
For those who have never been the Budokwai’s reception is full of photos of the great and good of British Judo from Palmer and Inman to Stevens and Jacks, form Sweeny to Adams they all have trained there.
Watching my boys look at the these and be more impressed by Guy Richie than Angelo Parissi, it made me realise how little they know about Judo in the UK. Now that may be my fault as a coach but how much do we teach our students about the history of Judo?
To me the Budokwai was a place my dad trained in the 1960’s and was iconic in my judo upbringing. It was hallowed ground, I wonder with modern training centres if there will be places like that in the future.?
So perhaps I will dig out old clip on You-tube of Starbrook or Jacks and recount their big wins. I am fortunate I have Jane Bridge as a tutor at Bath University but my students don’t know she was the first ever Female Judo World Champion in New York where she also won the Style Award. Perhaps we have Judo traditions on the mat but it might be time for me to start and let students know about the footsteps they are following in.
I hope 2012 in London will give 1000’s of young judo players an inspiration and the ability to say I remember when I saw....... today I added my own first ...the day i first bowed on as a guest coach at the Budokwai.
It is the small things that mean a lot.......hope you fill a small dream soon they make life feel sweet.
Drugs in Sport – Biographies
Once again I open my paper to see a story about drugs in sport.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1157606/DWAIN-CHAMBERS-TALKS-TO-MARTIN-SAMUEL-How-drugs-shame-brought-brink-suicide-physical-cost-fight-win-gold-clean.html
But this is a bit greyer than most. It is a review as selection of writings from Dwain Chambers autobiography – Race Against Me, My Story.
Available from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Race-Against-Me-My-Story/dp/1905988753
Now fact Chambers severed a two year ban for using THG, he is banned form competing for Britain at the Olympics for life, and he is now back – clean – competing and winning Gold medals as a sprinter.
So the book raises a number of points should an athlete prosper from selling the story of cheating? Or is it part of the life experience and an autobiography can be justified? Should the athletic cheat be covered by the same laws that stop criminals prospering form book deals on bank robberies etc?
All that aside the book appears to be different to many other on a number of levels. The first is Chambers wrote it himself – no ghost writer hearing stories and creating a book that flows in a readable manor, Chambers just has had a friend tidy up the prose, so it is to quote Marten Samuel in the Daily Mail...
“It is , for the most part, a searing, honest account of his life in athletics and time as a walking junkie- Chambers Words – under Conte. Chambers goes further than any athlete in revealing how, why, when and where”
I hope the book will be a deterrent but it also highlights failing in managers and other coaches in spotting the drug use or not acknowledging the problem. Also the athletes mind set that others are doing it so why shouldn’t I.
I think the most telling comment I have read so far is ....
“There will be a lot of people out there cheating, though, people who know how to manipulate teh programme.”
This last statement made me think about all the coaches I have heard talk of “getting in the refs head” it is just playing to the letter of the law, or at the edge of the rules. Is that cheating – if so can one form of cheating or performance enhancement etc playing the letter not the spirit of the law be more acceptable than a performance enhancing drug?
The bottom line is to the average kid who comes to a Dojo to train drugs in sport isn’t an issue, it is only an issue to them when it is normalised in the hero’s or stars they idolised are seen taking drugs of any kind that it has a real impact on them. SO Chambers book I will buy and read, as a coach to see what went wrong and perhaps help me see signs to look out for, as a warning to other players....perhaps someone should send a copy to Mr Phelps.
Phelps and Chambers both part of teh same problem – misuse of Drugs – but is there a consistancey across sports, or sanctions and consequences applied faily to all?
Should Cambers profit form the book? I don’t know, should he have written it? ...yes – and every coach should read it.
Todays rant over, see you Tuesday,
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1157606/DWAIN-CHAMBERS-TALKS-TO-MARTIN-SAMUEL-How-drugs-shame-brought-brink-suicide-physical-cost-fight-win-gold-clean.html
But this is a bit greyer than most. It is a review as selection of writings from Dwain Chambers autobiography – Race Against Me, My Story.
Available from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Race-Against-Me-My-Story/dp/1905988753
Now fact Chambers severed a two year ban for using THG, he is banned form competing for Britain at the Olympics for life, and he is now back – clean – competing and winning Gold medals as a sprinter.
So the book raises a number of points should an athlete prosper from selling the story of cheating? Or is it part of the life experience and an autobiography can be justified? Should the athletic cheat be covered by the same laws that stop criminals prospering form book deals on bank robberies etc?
All that aside the book appears to be different to many other on a number of levels. The first is Chambers wrote it himself – no ghost writer hearing stories and creating a book that flows in a readable manor, Chambers just has had a friend tidy up the prose, so it is to quote Marten Samuel in the Daily Mail...
“It is , for the most part, a searing, honest account of his life in athletics and time as a walking junkie- Chambers Words – under Conte. Chambers goes further than any athlete in revealing how, why, when and where”
I hope the book will be a deterrent but it also highlights failing in managers and other coaches in spotting the drug use or not acknowledging the problem. Also the athletes mind set that others are doing it so why shouldn’t I.
I think the most telling comment I have read so far is ....
“There will be a lot of people out there cheating, though, people who know how to manipulate teh programme.”
This last statement made me think about all the coaches I have heard talk of “getting in the refs head” it is just playing to the letter of the law, or at the edge of the rules. Is that cheating – if so can one form of cheating or performance enhancement etc playing the letter not the spirit of the law be more acceptable than a performance enhancing drug?
The bottom line is to the average kid who comes to a Dojo to train drugs in sport isn’t an issue, it is only an issue to them when it is normalised in the hero’s or stars they idolised are seen taking drugs of any kind that it has a real impact on them. SO Chambers book I will buy and read, as a coach to see what went wrong and perhaps help me see signs to look out for, as a warning to other players....perhaps someone should send a copy to Mr Phelps.
Phelps and Chambers both part of teh same problem – misuse of Drugs – but is there a consistancey across sports, or sanctions and consequences applied faily to all?
Should Cambers profit form the book? I don’t know, should he have written it? ...yes – and every coach should read it.
Todays rant over, see you Tuesday,
Friday, 27 February 2009
Coaching A Coach
I am fortunate that as I pen this blog – yes i wrote this long hand before i entered it – I am skiing in Switzerland. Though a very good skier I always take a series of lessons when I am away for a week or more.
Why? ...... Just to ensure my technique hasn’t got sloppy. It makes me realise that practice makes permanent, only perfect practice makes perfect.
So when was the last time you were coached as a judo player? Having someone critically look at a fight, a throw or a set up you use and then give you constructive advice and help.
That is a bit of an aside as to what I wanted to talk about today....when did you as a coach did you experience life as a student, being taught or coached perhaps in a different sport.
My Swiss ski instructor doing group lessons used different coaching styles and techniques which I recognised – some applied in slightly different manners and which I thought might be useful when doing Judo. It was the handling of group dynamics I found very interesting, in one group he had a family on holiday with teenagers who skied well, a young couple and me. His reinforcing positive points of techniques – only mentioning one teaching point at at a time, building on each, giving time to practice and then feedback.
He then started getting people to observe each other and pass comment on each other. He focused on positive statements it would only be ¾ of the way through the lesson he would mention a negative in an interesting manner .......It is worth saying sometimes people do .....but I haven’t seen it in this group but please be aware if you do this.......
So my skiing is improving and my coaching is too. As I see what a coach’s job is in a different light...I wonder if it could be a tax deductible......
Why? ...... Just to ensure my technique hasn’t got sloppy. It makes me realise that practice makes permanent, only perfect practice makes perfect.
So when was the last time you were coached as a judo player? Having someone critically look at a fight, a throw or a set up you use and then give you constructive advice and help.
That is a bit of an aside as to what I wanted to talk about today....when did you as a coach did you experience life as a student, being taught or coached perhaps in a different sport.
My Swiss ski instructor doing group lessons used different coaching styles and techniques which I recognised – some applied in slightly different manners and which I thought might be useful when doing Judo. It was the handling of group dynamics I found very interesting, in one group he had a family on holiday with teenagers who skied well, a young couple and me. His reinforcing positive points of techniques – only mentioning one teaching point at at a time, building on each, giving time to practice and then feedback.
He then started getting people to observe each other and pass comment on each other. He focused on positive statements it would only be ¾ of the way through the lesson he would mention a negative in an interesting manner .......It is worth saying sometimes people do .....but I haven’t seen it in this group but please be aware if you do this.......
So my skiing is improving and my coaching is too. As I see what a coach’s job is in a different light...I wonder if it could be a tax deductible......
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Perceived Danger!!
On a flight to Switzerland I overheard a couple of people comment on a newspaper report about Chris Hoy, Olympic Gold Medallist, and a cycling accident at the Track Word Championships in The Netherlands. (Article from International Herald and Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/14/sports/CYC-Track-Cycling-World-Cup.php )
The conversation was about was it news – a dad was saying kids fall off bikes all the time, he was dismissive of it. Mum was saying she didn’t think cycling was dangerous but at the speeds they go they don’t have much protection.
This brought about a thought and a recollection of a conversation I have had whilst doing circus skills workshops and magic workshops. Jugglers train to be technically perfect, never dropping a ball, just like a tight rope walker, they don’t want to fall off or wobble. Yet in order to entertain there has to be a perception of danger for the audience, a wobble and almost stumble on the tight rope or the aborted 1st attempt at a big move, a dropped ball or club them a successful attempt.
Cycling can be dangerous but it isn’t perceived as such. Judo can be potentially dangerous but when it is televised it is becoming sanitised. Boxing, Karate have blows to the head, cage fighting with its brutality all get good TV coverage, all have strong danger elements.
When the IJF remove a throw because someone breaks a leg, saying a throw is now to dangerous ( these where world class players), this reduced potential risk, but the reverse is true people want to watch the risk. This is what TV producers might call the car crash effect. When Joe Theisman's leg broke this was a highlight on TV news now it’s on the internet...here is the link .....
http://www.extremesportclips.com/video/299/Joe-Theisman-Leg-Break.html
Did you watch it ......if so why ...... You Tube is full of these.
The IJF want to make Judo a TV sport, a sport TV companies want to cover, we have huge throws, this is great but there is NO DANGER....we minimise risk. Look on You Tube for clips of O Soto Gari knocking someone out, strangles where the player is knocked out.
These elements make TV viewing – they are the danger in Judo. Give a TV company danger and watch viewers flood in. If you have to put in one martial arts event in your schedule for your TV company , you are looking for spectacular, danger and excitement would you be choosing judo over boxing, MAA or kick boxing or Thai boxing ? NO. Why the gap between fights and lack of action ...perhaps but no danger!!!
So we are cleaning up Judo for TV .......or are we removing the elements, the characters ( don’t get me started on mat side coaches) the danger or at least perceived danger. Some of it is just marketing...in MAA they CHOKE A PLAYER OUT ( sounds bad) in Judo we get him to submit ( much weaker how – talk him to death?)
Which sound more dangerous and which one would you watch?
Just an opinion and thought for the day.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/14/sports/CYC-Track-Cycling-World-Cup.php )
The conversation was about was it news – a dad was saying kids fall off bikes all the time, he was dismissive of it. Mum was saying she didn’t think cycling was dangerous but at the speeds they go they don’t have much protection.
This brought about a thought and a recollection of a conversation I have had whilst doing circus skills workshops and magic workshops. Jugglers train to be technically perfect, never dropping a ball, just like a tight rope walker, they don’t want to fall off or wobble. Yet in order to entertain there has to be a perception of danger for the audience, a wobble and almost stumble on the tight rope or the aborted 1st attempt at a big move, a dropped ball or club them a successful attempt.
Cycling can be dangerous but it isn’t perceived as such. Judo can be potentially dangerous but when it is televised it is becoming sanitised. Boxing, Karate have blows to the head, cage fighting with its brutality all get good TV coverage, all have strong danger elements.
When the IJF remove a throw because someone breaks a leg, saying a throw is now to dangerous ( these where world class players), this reduced potential risk, but the reverse is true people want to watch the risk. This is what TV producers might call the car crash effect. When Joe Theisman's leg broke this was a highlight on TV news now it’s on the internet...here is the link .....
http://www.extremesportclips.com/video/299/Joe-Theisman-Leg-Break.html
Did you watch it ......if so why ...... You Tube is full of these.
The IJF want to make Judo a TV sport, a sport TV companies want to cover, we have huge throws, this is great but there is NO DANGER....we minimise risk. Look on You Tube for clips of O Soto Gari knocking someone out, strangles where the player is knocked out.
These elements make TV viewing – they are the danger in Judo. Give a TV company danger and watch viewers flood in. If you have to put in one martial arts event in your schedule for your TV company , you are looking for spectacular, danger and excitement would you be choosing judo over boxing, MAA or kick boxing or Thai boxing ? NO. Why the gap between fights and lack of action ...perhaps but no danger!!!
So we are cleaning up Judo for TV .......or are we removing the elements, the characters ( don’t get me started on mat side coaches) the danger or at least perceived danger. Some of it is just marketing...in MAA they CHOKE A PLAYER OUT ( sounds bad) in Judo we get him to submit ( much weaker how – talk him to death?)
Which sound more dangerous and which one would you watch?
Just an opinion and thought for the day.
Videos
Today I thought I woudl share a project with you.
One of my Judokas at a school is a budding film maker. So I encourage him to do a promotional video for the Judo Club, I coudln't get it to load but you can see what he produced as the film producer Kit Harwood has his own blog http://www.kitharwood.blogspot.com/ with several other video on it.
Having helped with the filming and planning it has rasied a couple of questions I think are worth considering. If you are trying to promote your club what would you put in a video, would you focus on the atmosphere, impressive throws?
This was our attempt and it works I think. With the use of mobile phones as camera, the internet and U-tube it is very easy to put something together easily.
Lance Wicks www.judocoach.com will tell you this is what you need for the the modern Digital native.
I would love to see others - especially with origional video footage not just a rehash of Fighting Films DVD's (http://www.fightingfilms.com/) cut with a different sound track and a club logo.
If you have one to share please let me know.
A couple of videos worth looking at as a way of promoting Judo are by Rob Maurency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp3sWe_Avo&feature=channel_page
This is a video of an Australlian University Team Comp - very theatrical coloured suit etc but works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOn-o1Bl6zY&feature=channel
A great Goshin Jutsu Kata with all the boaring bits cut out - film at the Kodokan with Rob being Tori. When he showed this to a class after having done the kata they lapped it up.
All these video apper with pomissions of the creators.
All for now
One of my Judokas at a school is a budding film maker. So I encourage him to do a promotional video for the Judo Club, I coudln't get it to load but you can see what he produced as the film producer Kit Harwood has his own blog http://www.kitharwood.blogspot.com/ with several other video on it.
Having helped with the filming and planning it has rasied a couple of questions I think are worth considering. If you are trying to promote your club what would you put in a video, would you focus on the atmosphere, impressive throws?
This was our attempt and it works I think. With the use of mobile phones as camera, the internet and U-tube it is very easy to put something together easily.
Lance Wicks www.judocoach.com will tell you this is what you need for the the modern Digital native.
I would love to see others - especially with origional video footage not just a rehash of Fighting Films DVD's (http://www.fightingfilms.com/) cut with a different sound track and a club logo.
If you have one to share please let me know.
A couple of videos worth looking at as a way of promoting Judo are by Rob Maurency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp3sWe_Avo&feature=channel_page
This is a video of an Australlian University Team Comp - very theatrical coloured suit etc but works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOn-o1Bl6zY&feature=channel
A great Goshin Jutsu Kata with all the boaring bits cut out - film at the Kodokan with Rob being Tori. When he showed this to a class after having done the kata they lapped it up.
All these video apper with pomissions of the creators.
All for now
Sorry Guys !!!
I have been away for a week in Switzerland, and I thought I had a number of post all loaded and they seem not to have been posted. I am on the case and hope to have them up in the next few hours.
Sorry to all who have missed my rants!
Marc
Sorry to all who have missed my rants!
Marc
Thursday, 12 February 2009
First Impressions Count
I have been trying to get my son to join a new swimming club, on four separate occasions I have called and e-mailed their contacts over a 3 week period, and yet I have had no response – even a sorry we don’t take new members at present....if it wasn’t for the location I would be going somewhere else.
Contrast this with a Chinese I went to on Friday a lunch time I was met at the door, directed to a table and ask if I was in a hurry – as they had a quick lunch menu or whether I could take my time and order off the main lunch menu. Within second they had established my needs.
Even supermarkets have greeters helping shoppers find trollies information etc, so why when I go to visit Dojos in the UK and abroad am I often greeted by blank faces, or left stood waiting for up to 15 minutes before someone says hello?
When looking at player acquisition and retention we must consider first impression. A judo club is part of the service industry and you should treat everyone who come into your Dojo or class as a potential new student. So how can we make this a positive experience?
Have a designated greeter – could be a player on the mat, a parent – who when somebody new comes in, they go and say hello and introduce themselves and find out about why they have come. Try and agree a time scale – within 2 minutes.
When someone enquires – do you take details? Do you have an information pack or sheet on the club – training times fees etc. It could include a “What is Judo” sheet, a bit about your clubs history and instructors.
Does anyone follow up the enquiry – a phone call or email to say thanks for coming to see us.
Now these are not difficult to implement but they show a club cares, and if you get the right feeling from the moment your walk in then the rest is easy.
So do you understand the expectations of your potential members and do you meet and exceed them?
So next time you go to your club try and have a look at it with the eyes of someone who hasn’t been before ....Is it welcoming? Is it easy to find? Would I if I wanted to send my child to Judo at your club are you easy to deal with?
I sometimes feel we forget that Judo is now a business and any people can do the judo but we shouldn’t forget the business.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Retention
I have spent the day doing a match reports for a number of matches and chatting with Lance Wicks. The subject of retention came up.
In the USJA Coaching manual level 1 they lay out the coach’s goal and I quote...
“Regardless of your coaching aim, your primary goal is to recruit and retain students.”
In the USJA Coaching manual level 1 they lay out the coach’s goal and I quote...
“Regardless of your coaching aim, your primary goal is to recruit and retain students.”
Dr Chris Dewey
Dr Dewey is worth looking up if you are serious about coaching judo (http://www.msstate.edu/dept/geosciences/people/dewey/index.htm)
So I thought today I would talk about retention and area I have dealt with in marketing but is often over looked in coaching.
What keeps players coming back for more Judo lessons?
Now there are many different elements to this, but today I want to raise a series of questions for you to think about and then discuss them in the next few weeks.
You need to understand why are people trying judo and why your club?
What keeps players coming back for more Judo lessons?
Now there are many different elements to this, but today I want to raise a series of questions for you to think about and then discuss them in the next few weeks.
You need to understand why are people trying judo and why your club?
Is it to build confidence, self defence, friends do it, do they choose your club because of recommendation, nearest best ad in the Yellow Pages?
Are they being forced or badgered in trying it by friends or family?
How do you engage them?
What is the best way to communicate with members?
You can provide them with information through a mixture of traditional and digital media (have a look at Lance Wicks Coaching Digital Natives Webinar):
Newsletters?
Emails?
Notice board?
Websites?
Social networking online?
Do you understand why people in YOUR club do judo?
How do you satisfy their needs?
What do they like or dislike about the club?
Have you ever asked for their opinions?
I know this sounds very marketing orientated – that is after all one of my jobs – but it is the difference between running a club as a hobby and coaching as a profession.
The BJA has a retention and recruitment drive on – but is basing it in clubs and it will be the same old clubs getting involved rather than locating areas that have no club and employing coaches to run them.
Why is it that when covering classes do I get asked where I teach because they enjoyed my lessons more than the usual coach – perhaps I inject more fun, I might not be as strict or I might just understand my audience better.
Membership acquisition ( recruitment) and retention are the heart of a Judo community, the BJA have a 50% turnover in membership – is that acceptable? What is your participation turn over?
I have ideas on the whole process based on years of Marketing and working with membership schemes and organisations. Some of these I hope to share in the future but if you have an issue on retention or recruitment let me know and let’s see if I can help.
Marc
Have you ever asked for their opinions?
I know this sounds very marketing orientated – that is after all one of my jobs – but it is the difference between running a club as a hobby and coaching as a profession.
The BJA has a retention and recruitment drive on – but is basing it in clubs and it will be the same old clubs getting involved rather than locating areas that have no club and employing coaches to run them.
Why is it that when covering classes do I get asked where I teach because they enjoyed my lessons more than the usual coach – perhaps I inject more fun, I might not be as strict or I might just understand my audience better.
Membership acquisition ( recruitment) and retention are the heart of a Judo community, the BJA have a 50% turnover in membership – is that acceptable? What is your participation turn over?
I have ideas on the whole process based on years of Marketing and working with membership schemes and organisations. Some of these I hope to share in the future but if you have an issue on retention or recruitment let me know and let’s see if I can help.
Marc
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Institue of Professional Judo Coaches
Hi
It was Cat Stevens who sang “Times they are a Changing” and so it is in the world of Judo in the UK and probably the rest of Europe. With the 2012 London Olympics the government has stated that its Olympic Legacy is going to be grass roots with 1000’s of new qualified coaches.
The BJA are supporting the UKCC coaching levels for new coaches but not yet integrating old caches. The EJU now have some of the best Judo Coaching courses in the world – a level 4 and level 5 Based at Bath University. ( http://www.bath.ac.uk/sports/foundation/judo/index.html ) These courses are recognised by the rest of Europe but The BJA don’t recognise them and you can’t get them added to your coaching idea....there is something wrong with this picture. The BJA will say they are don’t meet UKCC standards and then they promptly introduce a club instructor award to fill a gap created by people finding the UKCC to expensive or too much of a commitment – amongst other reasons.
We have a situation where there are a number of private companies providing excellent taster seasons and basic beginners Judo in schools and after school clubs. Probably more children in Judo are taught this way a week than in regular BJA clubs!
The BJA cater for the membership and clubs often run by volunteers, but their is no pathway or guidance, coaching model or franchise for the Coach who wants to earn a living teaching judo, so we get the man in a van syndrome who wanders like a ronin for school to school location to location.
They have no NGB backing just a coaching qualification and a membership licence if they are BJA.
So here is the radical idea copying the model from football who have a Managers Association would anyone like to join...
The Institute of Professional Judo Coaches ( name may be changed).
An organisation whose sole purpose is to advise and for the assistance people who earn money coaching judo. It will have a code of conduct, a coaching qualification will be a prerequisite, and you must commit to a Continued Professional Development Programme for your and your judo....this would be more then attending a single 4 hr course and include reflection, sharing ideas, seminars and courses. But it would be done at your pace and your level of coaching.
The aim would also include:
· helping provide business models for coaches,
· support coaches in running a business
· sharing best practice.
· Devleoping a knowledge base for coaches
· Creating world class support material
· Assisting participation coaches with retention
· Advice and shared experience of School and LEA Judo
· Possible dispute resolution
· Provide coach education as deemed needed by coaches!
· Lobbying NGB’s and funding authorities on the needs of coaches
It would be independent of the NGB, but would work with them, and focus on Coaching issues and Judo coaching issues, it wouldn’t matter if you were running a club or an after school activity the aim would be best practice in Judo Coaching.
Perhaps it is too radical for the UK, but with perhaps the right 20 members to start with you will be responsible for over 15,000 participation mat hours a week. A figure that Any NGB or Funding Body can’t afford to ignore. If you got the academic coach education providers behind it you also start to create a knowledge base, and a base of participation that could be used for serious Judo participation studies.
In three phone calls I mentioned the idea and everyone was for it –as long as it promoted good coach education. Whether or not the NGB’s would like it that’s another story. Someone suggested treating like a Professional body with different levels of membership so club coaches could be associates, others said it could provide support and help like a Union.
Blue sky thinking? It is outside the box, is it too radical for the UK? The idea is now out there, let talk about it – your comments please.
Friday, 6 February 2009
A Recipe for Sucess?
Today I am being metaphorical with a coaching is like.........blog.
Last night I read a post by Anne Marie De Mars on her blog (http://drannmaria.blogspot.com/ ) where she talked about Outliners and the little touches of creative genius in their judo which is based on lots of hard work.
It stirred an idea in my head, and as I was watching Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares I saw an analogy with Judo. A performance Judo player is a chef and his style a unique recipe, taking a selection of quality ingredients and blending them and present them in a unique style.
Some things go together sage and onion, some you wouldn’t expect – like Snail Porridge. You can turn average ingredients into a good dish but for a great dish you need quality ingredients. You need to have flavours and textures that work well together.
In Judo the ingredients are the techniques use by a player, the way a player fights and puts then together are the cooking technique a chef is taught. Some chefs like coaches try and add to many flavours and techniques which complicate the dish. So how many ingredients should you have to make your dish?
In the BJA as part of the LPTD they look at having six scoring techniques, in at least 3 directions as they progress but if you look at the greats how many techniques did they have?
Dave Starbrook – a huge tai-otoshi
Neil Adams – tai-otoshi and ju-jigatame
Koga – hi unique versions and range of Koshi Waza and his on handed Morote- soenage
They have others they score with however these were there signature dishes. Their preferred recipes for success.
A friend once said to me watching masters was very strange you get two people who have done judo for years, they may only have one scoring technique but they have been doing it for 20 years or more, if it wasn’t good when they started it is now. Master is about who walks into the opponents technique first.
As coaches we have to get our your chefs to taste all the ingredients and learn the different cooking techniques, we then have to let them experiment with flavour combinations and different cooking styles. Then when they have found a dish they like, we help them improve it be that sourcing a better quality of ingredients ( developing technique) enhancing the cooking process ( how it is used) and sometimes add a little twist, seasoning or spice.
Dr De Mar said in her post” Those outliers are enormous variances from the mean,” they are not the people who follow the recipes in the normal book they are the people who take the recipe and start to develop it making it something special.
There are those chefs who just craft the best ingredients, there are those who understand cooking techniques and just take ingredients and make then into a unique dish. Then there are those who cook through the science of flavours and exploring different ways of delivering them – like the chef Heston Blumenthal who does Bacon and Egg flavour ice cream. ( see it on U Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6CLoRuvGcY ) Notice how precise he is and his comments about other chefs who saw you doing this. He also talks about overturning expectations.
If you extend the comparison as coaches are you creating a chef who can cook one or two dishes well and they win awards or a chef who has the knowledge to build their own dishes from a range of ingredients because they understand the techniques in making lots of dishes.
As a coach how big is your recipe book? Judo use to be a groups of identifiable styles – like Russian or classic Japanese, now we are entering the new gastronomic world of Fusion......and that is another blog.
Last night I read a post by Anne Marie De Mars on her blog (http://drannmaria.blogspot.com/ ) where she talked about Outliners and the little touches of creative genius in their judo which is based on lots of hard work.
It stirred an idea in my head, and as I was watching Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares I saw an analogy with Judo. A performance Judo player is a chef and his style a unique recipe, taking a selection of quality ingredients and blending them and present them in a unique style.
Some things go together sage and onion, some you wouldn’t expect – like Snail Porridge. You can turn average ingredients into a good dish but for a great dish you need quality ingredients. You need to have flavours and textures that work well together.
In Judo the ingredients are the techniques use by a player, the way a player fights and puts then together are the cooking technique a chef is taught. Some chefs like coaches try and add to many flavours and techniques which complicate the dish. So how many ingredients should you have to make your dish?
In the BJA as part of the LPTD they look at having six scoring techniques, in at least 3 directions as they progress but if you look at the greats how many techniques did they have?
Dave Starbrook – a huge tai-otoshi
Neil Adams – tai-otoshi and ju-jigatame
Koga – hi unique versions and range of Koshi Waza and his on handed Morote- soenage
They have others they score with however these were there signature dishes. Their preferred recipes for success.
A friend once said to me watching masters was very strange you get two people who have done judo for years, they may only have one scoring technique but they have been doing it for 20 years or more, if it wasn’t good when they started it is now. Master is about who walks into the opponents technique first.
As coaches we have to get our your chefs to taste all the ingredients and learn the different cooking techniques, we then have to let them experiment with flavour combinations and different cooking styles. Then when they have found a dish they like, we help them improve it be that sourcing a better quality of ingredients ( developing technique) enhancing the cooking process ( how it is used) and sometimes add a little twist, seasoning or spice.
Dr De Mar said in her post” Those outliers are enormous variances from the mean,” they are not the people who follow the recipes in the normal book they are the people who take the recipe and start to develop it making it something special.
There are those chefs who just craft the best ingredients, there are those who understand cooking techniques and just take ingredients and make then into a unique dish. Then there are those who cook through the science of flavours and exploring different ways of delivering them – like the chef Heston Blumenthal who does Bacon and Egg flavour ice cream. ( see it on U Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6CLoRuvGcY ) Notice how precise he is and his comments about other chefs who saw you doing this. He also talks about overturning expectations.
If you extend the comparison as coaches are you creating a chef who can cook one or two dishes well and they win awards or a chef who has the knowledge to build their own dishes from a range of ingredients because they understand the techniques in making lots of dishes.
As a coach how big is your recipe book? Judo use to be a groups of identifiable styles – like Russian or classic Japanese, now we are entering the new gastronomic world of Fusion......and that is another blog.
Games or Drills Pt 2
Let me start this post with an apology – as I was working late yesterdays post was posted just after midnight so you get two posts today.
However following an email exchange with Lance Wicks ( www.planetjudo.com) I have decided to do two or three Blogs a week and then do smaller intermittent posts in between. I hope to post every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.
Following on from yesterdays post about games, at present the most popular title on Judo Games is 1001 Judo games – Fighting Films has a DVD of the same name which I have bought and will review next week. A quick note on my reviews, everything I review I will have bought and paid for so I will review it as I see it. This title always frustrates me, it should read - 20 or so game ideas with lots of variations !
Taking yesterdays point that games can become or include drills but they are games first and for most. I want to look at a GAME and develop it for use in Judo. Some of these ideas are original, some are developments of things I have seen and others are as seen but then I have added a proper Judo frame work for a coach to understand them.
Before we start ask yourself the following questions?
Why am I playing a game?
What is it doing to my class dynamic?
Is it suitable or appropriate to this class, by age, skill and available space?
To many coaches throw games in without considering the above, they should be as planned as technical progressions.
The game I want to look at today is Tig or Tag as it is sometimes called. In its basic form on person is IT or ON they have to touch or tig/tag another player who is then on. The other players have to avoid being tagged, they can run around within a defined area.
The fun comes in the participant introducing risk – how close can they get without being tagged. The older the players the more risk they can take. The game helps to develop fundamental skills of speed, agility and reactions.
GAMES in general also allow the participant to develop tactics and strategies to win and to play within the rules but not always as the organiser intended.
With Tic/Tag if you wish you can then level the playing field if one player excels by adding extra conditions. This could be players moving one their knees or restricting where you can tag an opponent.
A variation is where the intention is to catch every body, so when tagged a play leave the play area or is eliminated. Here players are strategic and not so risk taking.
So we have two variations on one game. How could we introduce key skills?
Ideas could include
· When avoiding being tagged perhaps they do a forward roll or break fall.
· To avoid being tagged perform an sports specific action
· When they are tagged they stand still and they have to be freed by another play.
This last variation is often called Stick in the Mud or Stuck in the Mud, the caught player stands with the legs open and to be freed a player crawls through the legs – how this is done is up to the coach – on the belly or on all fours.
The game in essence doesn’t change you are just adding conditions and rules – often these are safety specific – for instance you always crawl from front to back – to avoid to people clashing head if the both try at the same time form opposite directions. Or for ukemi – stop look roll – some rules however can remove some of the key initial benefits of the cam e.g. speed but it is replaced with a practice of Ukemi.
If I said you had to free them by doing 5 uchi komi of Ippon Seo-nage I have added a small drill or training exercise but WITHIN the game. If I have to change the game too much to allow that to happen, eg. You can’t tag someone during uchi komi, I can have an adverse effect as I could end up with the catcher having no one to chase as they do the drill then losing the fun element and it stops being an effective game.
The problem is coaches look at the game not the reason for doing the game, if I give more uchi komi to higher grades free someone eg. A white belts does 1 uchi komi to free anyone, but brown belts have to do 10. I am balancing out skill levels and making it easier to catch the higher grades, this helps me give the lower grades a feeling of importance and now I have introduced a skill into the game it allow people of different levels to compete collectively on an even keel. This also helps aid group dynamics and retention in participation based classes.
So to recap yesterdays point all the variations of Tic/Tag work as JUDO games in a club because they meet the criteria I have set out.....
1. A game has an objective
2. Has a time scale or restrictive conditions
3. A Challenge or task
4. Defined rules
5. IS FUN
6. If repeated immediately may have a different outcome
7. Age appropriate
So when you look at a book saying 101 games see how many variations you can find of core games. In a way games are like judo throws there are 100’s of variations but the basic throw is the same just developed and applied to different situations.
This is a subject I will come back to.
Have a great day
Marc
However following an email exchange with Lance Wicks ( www.planetjudo.com) I have decided to do two or three Blogs a week and then do smaller intermittent posts in between. I hope to post every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.
Following on from yesterdays post about games, at present the most popular title on Judo Games is 1001 Judo games – Fighting Films has a DVD of the same name which I have bought and will review next week. A quick note on my reviews, everything I review I will have bought and paid for so I will review it as I see it. This title always frustrates me, it should read - 20 or so game ideas with lots of variations !
Taking yesterdays point that games can become or include drills but they are games first and for most. I want to look at a GAME and develop it for use in Judo. Some of these ideas are original, some are developments of things I have seen and others are as seen but then I have added a proper Judo frame work for a coach to understand them.
Before we start ask yourself the following questions?
Why am I playing a game?
What is it doing to my class dynamic?
Is it suitable or appropriate to this class, by age, skill and available space?
To many coaches throw games in without considering the above, they should be as planned as technical progressions.
The game I want to look at today is Tig or Tag as it is sometimes called. In its basic form on person is IT or ON they have to touch or tig/tag another player who is then on. The other players have to avoid being tagged, they can run around within a defined area.
The fun comes in the participant introducing risk – how close can they get without being tagged. The older the players the more risk they can take. The game helps to develop fundamental skills of speed, agility and reactions.
GAMES in general also allow the participant to develop tactics and strategies to win and to play within the rules but not always as the organiser intended.
With Tic/Tag if you wish you can then level the playing field if one player excels by adding extra conditions. This could be players moving one their knees or restricting where you can tag an opponent.
A variation is where the intention is to catch every body, so when tagged a play leave the play area or is eliminated. Here players are strategic and not so risk taking.
So we have two variations on one game. How could we introduce key skills?
Ideas could include
· When avoiding being tagged perhaps they do a forward roll or break fall.
· To avoid being tagged perform an sports specific action
· When they are tagged they stand still and they have to be freed by another play.
This last variation is often called Stick in the Mud or Stuck in the Mud, the caught player stands with the legs open and to be freed a player crawls through the legs – how this is done is up to the coach – on the belly or on all fours.
The game in essence doesn’t change you are just adding conditions and rules – often these are safety specific – for instance you always crawl from front to back – to avoid to people clashing head if the both try at the same time form opposite directions. Or for ukemi – stop look roll – some rules however can remove some of the key initial benefits of the cam e.g. speed but it is replaced with a practice of Ukemi.
If I said you had to free them by doing 5 uchi komi of Ippon Seo-nage I have added a small drill or training exercise but WITHIN the game. If I have to change the game too much to allow that to happen, eg. You can’t tag someone during uchi komi, I can have an adverse effect as I could end up with the catcher having no one to chase as they do the drill then losing the fun element and it stops being an effective game.
The problem is coaches look at the game not the reason for doing the game, if I give more uchi komi to higher grades free someone eg. A white belts does 1 uchi komi to free anyone, but brown belts have to do 10. I am balancing out skill levels and making it easier to catch the higher grades, this helps me give the lower grades a feeling of importance and now I have introduced a skill into the game it allow people of different levels to compete collectively on an even keel. This also helps aid group dynamics and retention in participation based classes.
So to recap yesterdays point all the variations of Tic/Tag work as JUDO games in a club because they meet the criteria I have set out.....
1. A game has an objective
2. Has a time scale or restrictive conditions
3. A Challenge or task
4. Defined rules
5. IS FUN
6. If repeated immediately may have a different outcome
7. Age appropriate
So when you look at a book saying 101 games see how many variations you can find of core games. In a way games are like judo throws there are 100’s of variations but the basic throw is the same just developed and applied to different situations.
This is a subject I will come back to.
Have a great day
Marc
Game or Drill pt 1
It’s been a hectic day with a trip to London for a judo match with one of the schools I teach at. It was a good match with lots of well fought fights.
Then evening training which was an experience, as my ribs are still painful I ended up doing a light warm up and a bit of shadow Uchi-komi. However it gave me the chance to watch a couple of the boys I train. Not having to worry about teaching allowed me to focus solely on them and their Judo which has left me with lots of ideas to follow up.
Strange that as I was not teaching or trying to train I had a different mindset which meant I was more constructive as a coach – though I had more time I probably said less by focusing on only one or two key points all night.
I received a set of books today for my college course – mainly focusing on speed, agility and quickness drills, strength and explosive power drills and exercises. I will do a critical review of these once I have read them , but in skim reading I saw a number of these drills that have been passed of as Judo games in books and DVD’s.
So today’s question for comment and discussion is when is a game, a game and when is it a drill a game?
Now before I start let me give you some of my background. For over 20 years I earned my living as a professional children’s entertainer and magician. I training people to run birthday parties at McDonald’s throughout the UK. I devised party programmes, games and activities for companies for use in TV Shows, Stage shows and private parties. I have designed and run schools workshops on everything from Hamlet to Circus Skills
I also specialise in Teaching Judo to under 18’s both as a participation coach and a performance style coach. .....so I understand the Modern Child.
I have been to a number of workshops saying they are about Judo Games, there are a number of DVD’s on Judo Games but they are essentially drills and exercises to teach specific skills. Now these are needed and when used well, appropriate - BUT THEY ARE NOT GAMES!
Several DVD’s show adults in workshops loving an exercise but these are workshop games they are not effective regularly – nor are they the sort of things kids request.
Bulldog, Murder Ball, Tag/Tic they are games, things that a child may request to play. So what is a game and how can they be used by a coach?
I use a simple approach to defining a game. They have three conditions
1. A Goal
2. Rules
3. Challenge or task – be this mental physical etc.
Lieberman 2007 defined it as it up as follows:
Then evening training which was an experience, as my ribs are still painful I ended up doing a light warm up and a bit of shadow Uchi-komi. However it gave me the chance to watch a couple of the boys I train. Not having to worry about teaching allowed me to focus solely on them and their Judo which has left me with lots of ideas to follow up.
Strange that as I was not teaching or trying to train I had a different mindset which meant I was more constructive as a coach – though I had more time I probably said less by focusing on only one or two key points all night.
I received a set of books today for my college course – mainly focusing on speed, agility and quickness drills, strength and explosive power drills and exercises. I will do a critical review of these once I have read them , but in skim reading I saw a number of these drills that have been passed of as Judo games in books and DVD’s.
So today’s question for comment and discussion is when is a game, a game and when is it a drill a game?
Now before I start let me give you some of my background. For over 20 years I earned my living as a professional children’s entertainer and magician. I training people to run birthday parties at McDonald’s throughout the UK. I devised party programmes, games and activities for companies for use in TV Shows, Stage shows and private parties. I have designed and run schools workshops on everything from Hamlet to Circus Skills
I also specialise in Teaching Judo to under 18’s both as a participation coach and a performance style coach. .....so I understand the Modern Child.
I have been to a number of workshops saying they are about Judo Games, there are a number of DVD’s on Judo Games but they are essentially drills and exercises to teach specific skills. Now these are needed and when used well, appropriate - BUT THEY ARE NOT GAMES!
Several DVD’s show adults in workshops loving an exercise but these are workshop games they are not effective regularly – nor are they the sort of things kids request.
Bulldog, Murder Ball, Tag/Tic they are games, things that a child may request to play. So what is a game and how can they be used by a coach?
I use a simple approach to defining a game. They have three conditions
1. A Goal
2. Rules
3. Challenge or task – be this mental physical etc.
Lieberman 2007 defined it as it up as follows:
A rule-based activity involving challenge to reach a goal
In my opinion a Judo Game must meet the following conditions to be practical in a range of classes
1. A game has an objective
2. Has a time scale or restrictive conditions
3. A Challenge or task
4. Defined rules
5. IS FUN
6. If repeated immediately may have a different outcome
7. Age appropriate
Tomorrow I will give you an example or two of games I use and how I adapt them to suit my classes then I will copare then to skill drills
Marc
In my opinion a Judo Game must meet the following conditions to be practical in a range of classes
1. A game has an objective
2. Has a time scale or restrictive conditions
3. A Challenge or task
4. Defined rules
5. IS FUN
6. If repeated immediately may have a different outcome
7. Age appropriate
Tomorrow I will give you an example or two of games I use and how I adapt them to suit my classes then I will copare then to skill drills
Marc
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Drugs in Sport
I sit at this computer after a hectic day......more snow.....a frantic drive following a hard teaching session at Winchester College....and a badly swollen aching rib....that is the last time I try and spin out of a yoko-tomenage.
The ice packs are working and I feel a large dose of medication will be needed to aid sleep. Which bring me to today’s topic – drugs. I got an entry form to the High Wycombe Masters which stated there will be no drugs test – which is great all us old junkies who need anti-inflammatory drugs and anti rejection drugs for hip replacements can sleep well. However In a week Michael Phelps is seen smoking cannabis how good is drugs screening in sport at present?
Cannabis isn’t a banned drug ...just illegal....as it isn’t performance enhancing ...... more damage has been done to the Phelps brand than to swimming. However it does make a mockery of anti doping.
WADA – the Word Anti Doping Association have a system where all funded athletes have to register where they are for one hour a day should they be chosen for testing, this could be training , at home or any place of their choice. Even though they have to register this weeks in advance they can change location and notify WADA by e-mail, text or phone up to an hour before the hour starts.
Yet this causes a major problem for the Football Premiership as UEFA has just signed up to the WADA rules but many footballs stars think this is an invasion of their privacy, is it?
I agree with Anti doping – all sports should be a level playing field ......but when an athlete can get a 2 year ban because they have missed 3 tests- not failed , not used drugs – just had the misfortune to not be in the place they said, 3 times in 2 years, and it s a 2 ban. Several athletes have served been band and then they gone on to win world championships or even Olympic Gold.
So isn’t there a double standard in a system where an Olympic Champion can take illegal drugs, be photo graphed and blame it on youthful excess and to date suffered no sanction, and an athlete who is not where they said they would be on three occasions gets a 2 year ban!!
There are cases where NGB have been informed of Steroid use in Funded athletes and ended up banning the reporting coach – but more of that another time. As a coach it is our job to inform out athletes of the laws and procedures regarding drug misuse. The problem is how do you square away the inconsistencies, no system is perfect and WADA are getting there, more sports are signing up to its codes and practices.
Part of the problem is NGB’s don’t like to see their drugs problems and cheats splashed over the papers. Perhaps naming and shaming would help clean up the sports and show the majority that we weed out the minorities who give sport in general a bad name.
So Should Phelps be reprimanded and if so how........... He wins Olympic medals , the fact he uses illegal recreational drugs......does it matter ....perhaps – perhaps not.........however when the child that sees him as a role model says it is okay to try cannabis because Michael Phelps does and he is an Olympic champion ...that is a REAL PROBLEM ...from an Olympian whose favourite quote is: “ Actions speak louder than words”
Will he be fined, banned, jailed ? Who knows part of the problem is his coaches, team, university... it is better for them as long as he says sorry and can carry on swimming!
ME I am going to take some drugs for medical use ( co-codamol) and the sooth my busted rib.
See you tomorrow....
The ice packs are working and I feel a large dose of medication will be needed to aid sleep. Which bring me to today’s topic – drugs. I got an entry form to the High Wycombe Masters which stated there will be no drugs test – which is great all us old junkies who need anti-inflammatory drugs and anti rejection drugs for hip replacements can sleep well. However In a week Michael Phelps is seen smoking cannabis how good is drugs screening in sport at present?
Cannabis isn’t a banned drug ...just illegal....as it isn’t performance enhancing ...... more damage has been done to the Phelps brand than to swimming. However it does make a mockery of anti doping.
WADA – the Word Anti Doping Association have a system where all funded athletes have to register where they are for one hour a day should they be chosen for testing, this could be training , at home or any place of their choice. Even though they have to register this weeks in advance they can change location and notify WADA by e-mail, text or phone up to an hour before the hour starts.
Yet this causes a major problem for the Football Premiership as UEFA has just signed up to the WADA rules but many footballs stars think this is an invasion of their privacy, is it?
I agree with Anti doping – all sports should be a level playing field ......but when an athlete can get a 2 year ban because they have missed 3 tests- not failed , not used drugs – just had the misfortune to not be in the place they said, 3 times in 2 years, and it s a 2 ban. Several athletes have served been band and then they gone on to win world championships or even Olympic Gold.
So isn’t there a double standard in a system where an Olympic Champion can take illegal drugs, be photo graphed and blame it on youthful excess and to date suffered no sanction, and an athlete who is not where they said they would be on three occasions gets a 2 year ban!!
There are cases where NGB have been informed of Steroid use in Funded athletes and ended up banning the reporting coach – but more of that another time. As a coach it is our job to inform out athletes of the laws and procedures regarding drug misuse. The problem is how do you square away the inconsistencies, no system is perfect and WADA are getting there, more sports are signing up to its codes and practices.
Part of the problem is NGB’s don’t like to see their drugs problems and cheats splashed over the papers. Perhaps naming and shaming would help clean up the sports and show the majority that we weed out the minorities who give sport in general a bad name.
So Should Phelps be reprimanded and if so how........... He wins Olympic medals , the fact he uses illegal recreational drugs......does it matter ....perhaps – perhaps not.........however when the child that sees him as a role model says it is okay to try cannabis because Michael Phelps does and he is an Olympic champion ...that is a REAL PROBLEM ...from an Olympian whose favourite quote is: “ Actions speak louder than words”
Will he be fined, banned, jailed ? Who knows part of the problem is his coaches, team, university... it is better for them as long as he says sorry and can carry on swimming!
ME I am going to take some drugs for medical use ( co-codamol) and the sooth my busted rib.
See you tomorrow....
Monday, 2 February 2009
Youngest Head Coach To WIn The Super Bowl
It’s a cold Tuesday morning in England with a snow dump which seems to be causing havoc! My two school classes this afternoon have been cancelled by the schools due to severe weather warnings...so I have a bit of time to write this second blog!
Last night I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers win a 6th Super Bowl! They broke many records including Mike Tomlin of the Steelers becoming, at 36, the youngest head coach ever to win the Super Bowl.
So as an elite coach he never played in the NFL, he never experienced and had to deal with the stresses he is dealing with in his players. So why is it that in judo there is an attitude that you can’t be an Elite performance coach unless have been an Elite player. This attitude can come from players, clubs and NGB’s.
I am currently reading “The Coaching Process” by Cross and Lyle, in this they say there are two different treads to coaching, the Training Process and the Coaching Process, Training being the Physiological and Psychological aspects of training, as well as the application of scientific processes. The Coaching Process is the relationships, the management and how the training process is personalised.
So is Tomlins skill in the Training Process – that is also handled by the support staff, or is it his skill in the application of the coaching process?
Lyle and Cross also divide coaching into two different type – Elite and participation coaching, the participation coach is the Sunday League Junior Coach, the Guy who runs a small Judo class once a week where it is not about being the best it is about gaining and maintaining participation in the sport. However where do we differentiate between the two types in our coach education?
Is Tomlins just an Elite Head Coach or is he a participation coach – ensuring in his early coaching experiences players wanted to play for him, helping them manage Football and College life. How do the coaches running small judo clubs or Football teams recognise and encourage the skilled player who could become an elite performer? And how do they know when to say I can teach you know more?
Part of the job of a coach is to reflect on his own performance and that of his players and acknowledge when they are wrong and when things work, and then strive to improve. Coaching is a development process for both the player the team and the coach......the problem is coaches don’t know it ....but I am sure that Mike Tomlin will wake up today with a new ring on his finger, and a place in the history books and that over the next few weeks he will review the game, and ALL his decisions trying to work out what worked and why and what didn’t work because next season it starts all over again.
I hope we can explore the differences in Performance and Participation coaching.
Last night I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers win a 6th Super Bowl! They broke many records including Mike Tomlin of the Steelers becoming, at 36, the youngest head coach ever to win the Super Bowl.
So as an elite coach he never played in the NFL, he never experienced and had to deal with the stresses he is dealing with in his players. So why is it that in judo there is an attitude that you can’t be an Elite performance coach unless have been an Elite player. This attitude can come from players, clubs and NGB’s.
I am currently reading “The Coaching Process” by Cross and Lyle, in this they say there are two different treads to coaching, the Training Process and the Coaching Process, Training being the Physiological and Psychological aspects of training, as well as the application of scientific processes. The Coaching Process is the relationships, the management and how the training process is personalised.
So is Tomlins skill in the Training Process – that is also handled by the support staff, or is it his skill in the application of the coaching process?
Lyle and Cross also divide coaching into two different type – Elite and participation coaching, the participation coach is the Sunday League Junior Coach, the Guy who runs a small Judo class once a week where it is not about being the best it is about gaining and maintaining participation in the sport. However where do we differentiate between the two types in our coach education?
Is Tomlins just an Elite Head Coach or is he a participation coach – ensuring in his early coaching experiences players wanted to play for him, helping them manage Football and College life. How do the coaches running small judo clubs or Football teams recognise and encourage the skilled player who could become an elite performer? And how do they know when to say I can teach you know more?
Part of the job of a coach is to reflect on his own performance and that of his players and acknowledge when they are wrong and when things work, and then strive to improve. Coaching is a development process for both the player the team and the coach......the problem is coaches don’t know it ....but I am sure that Mike Tomlin will wake up today with a new ring on his finger, and a place in the history books and that over the next few weeks he will review the game, and ALL his decisions trying to work out what worked and why and what didn’t work because next season it starts all over again.
I hope we can explore the differences in Performance and Participation coaching.
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Welcome
Welcome to my blog...
So here I am and I hope that you enjoy.....
Marc
It's about Judo and me and my love of this great sport and martial art.
As this Blog progresses you will get the a selection of thoughts, rants and ravings on everything form rules changes to coaching to the day to day graft of running a club.
So here go I am 40 and have been doing Judo for 37 years. I did my first BJA grading in 1972! I am now a 2nd Dan and a professional coach.
I teach at Winchester College, The Army Training Regiment in Winchester, a couple of local primary school and at Gosport Judo Club. As such I suffer from the affliction of many coaches, a lot of mat time teaching and not enough training and working my my own Judo.
My Judo is developing and with the help of a couple of mentors I revisiting my entire Judo style, trying a much more upright relaxed stance. I will post videos and pictures and this blog progresses.
I am self financing a FdSC Sports Performance degree at Bath University in Judo, I am currently starting my second year, and hope that this blog can also be used as a place of reflection for my own coaching and development.
So I teach Judo, I fight at Masters level and I study Judo but I have a life out of Judo and that may be touch on but only as it reflects on my Judo.
I am a regular poster on the BJA forum and I intend to expand on some of my comment there in this Blog.
So here I am and I hope that you enjoy.....
Marc
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