Anastacia Long has had an amazing coaching journey!
In this enthralling story (that is straight out of the Hollywood archives!) she tells us all about her journey from going from being an elite high board diver to the novice rugby coach of a group of under 15 boys with no previous rugby experience, and how they went all the way to the finals of one of England Rugby’s national schools’ competitions.
In this episode she shares the way in which her coaching approach has evolved and developed and describes the ways in which she had to create an environment which asked the players to lead the activity and self-organise. The story also has some powerful lessons about the power of sport as a way to help bring young people together and develop their resilience and connection.
It is a tale of triumph against adversity, of bucking the trend, beating the odds. there is heartbreak and there is joy. As I said in the podcast, if any movie producers are out there, I want Executive Producer credit!!
I hope you enjoy
The Superbowl is coming this weekend!!
As my excitement increases in the build up to the amazing global showcase of sporting endeavour and razzmatazz, I thought it was the perfect time to invite the human encyclopedia of all things movement skill in the NFL, Shawn Myszka (aka @movementmiyagi on Twitter) and author of the amazing blog 'Football Beyond the Stats' back on the podcast to share some of his insights on some of the star players of the season and geek out about skill acquisition and coaching.
In this discussion, Shawn shares some of the challenges he has faced this year facing up to some limitations in his coaching repertoire supporting athletes who are "hyper adaptable on the field but not hyper adaptable off the field!" He also dissects some of the star movers of the year, shares his approach to challenging players and taking them outside their comfort zone and we explore some deeper concepts around adaptability.
This is one not to be missed.
Go Pats!!
Some stuff from Saquon Barkley to drool over!!
Sarah Kelleher is the Head Coach of the England U18 Girls Field Hockey team. She is one of the most creative and playful coaches that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and coach with. We worked together in the England Hockey talent pathway and it was one of the highlights of my coaching journey so far. She brings creativity and joy to to everything she does, even the process to planning, session design and reflection!
In this conversation we discuss how she uses a range of approaches to creating a motivational climate that is joyful, creative and playful while at the same time being focused on excellence, performance and 'grit'.
I really hope you enjoy this conversation because I know I did!!
If you would like to hear Sarah talk more about the development of a motivational climate and actually see her in action then you are in luck. She is speaking at the 'Talent Equation Live' conference that I am hosting in Edinburgh with the support of the fine people at Stewart Melville's College.
To get more details go to my events page or go to https://www.esms.org.uk/sites/default/files/ESMSTalentEquationLive2019.pdf