14
2012
Fibre Update
An article by Stephen Pritchard
To start with I want to refresh your minds with this previous blog post:
http://www.gingercoaching.com/?p=69
You’ll now remember the player who initially complained about her group, and then became chief organiser for them. I wrote at the time that the experience had made no difference to her as a player. Now though, the proof that it was worthwhile has emerged.
The next time I ran a similar session – a selection of progressive practices to be worked through independently in groups – the “chief” was the first player hitting shuttles. She used her organisational ability to first select a group of players she wanted to work with and then to assign them jobs so that she could maximise her practice time. Furthermore, she selected a drill appropriate to her perception of her ability rather than starting with the simplest.
What has she learned? It may be as little as how to make sure she works with a group of like minded players to make sure she has the best opportunity to practice well. Purposeful challenging practice is the key to improvement. Maybe she’s learned who to avoid working with – is this a sign of selfishness? Maybe, but it could be said that top sportspeople have to be selfish to get where they are.
Lets look at the other side – the less organised players she previously led. Without their “chief” has their learning been compromised? The majority of the group still chose to work together, and they were still the last group to get started. With a little positive cajoling they eventually got organised. A new leader had to emerge to make this happen. I’d suggest therefore that the perception of “selfishness” by the former “chief” has actually had the effect of accelerating the learning of another player as they have had to adopt the controlling role. In taking control of her own learning, perhaps she’s been selfless!
