The Four Stages of Learning Model
No matter what new skill we decide to learn, there are four distinct learning stages that we transition through. Being aware of these stages can help us to accept that…
Tag: coach
Six Behaviours of Champion Athletes
Despite the tendency of the media to portray champion athletes as superhumans, otherworldy beings bestowed with special genetic powers, the truth is that those who’ve reached the top of the…
The Power of Self Talk
Research indicates that people, on average, speak to themselves at a rate of between 300 and 1,000 words per minute. Commonly referred to as self-talk, this constant internal dialogue has…
The GROW Model
The GROW model is a simple and effective coaching method that you can use with your athletes for setting and achieving their goals. Popularised by Sir John Whitmore’s book, “Coaching…
Level 2 Listening
Reflect on the conversations that you’ve had this week. Whilst you were talking, did you get a sense that the other person was truly absorbed in what you were saying?…
Sports Skill Classifications
Every sport has a unique set of skills, each possessing characteristics that change in different situations. These classifications are based on three factors: How precise a skill is. If the…
What is Mental Toughness?
Mental toughness is a term frequently used within sporting contexts, often being hailed as the principle reason for victory, or the sole explanation for loss. Coaches, supporters, commentators, and journalists…
Mental Rehearsal
Mental rehearsal, also referred to as visualisation, is a training technique that is used to create an experience in your mind, with the objective of improving your physical skills through purposefully…
Game-Day Leadership
If you accept a leadership position, whether as coach, captain or just in a more informal capacity, your role and responsibilities on match day can be allocated into three segments: pre-game;…
Communicating With Skill
Teams and individuals who communicate well operate with a greater clarity of purpose, knowing exactly what they’re going to do, and why, how and when they’re going to do it.…
Practicing For Pressure
Do you know of any players who perform impressively during practice, demonstrating great athleticism, and impressive technical ability, yet who struggle to replicate their skills in competition? Chances are, you’ll know…
Being a Team Player
Modern day culture is quick to reward great individual performance, encouraging people to develop an inward-focused mindset, which has the potential for creating negative repercussions for those competing in team…
Maximising Your Potential
As with anything in life, in order to work out where an athlete wants to go, it’s important to first understand where the athlete currently is. In high performance sport environments,…
Motivating Your Players
Every athlete will have their own motivational drivers and so, as a coach, it’s important for you to acquire a good understanding of what these unique drivers are, so that…
Parenting an Athlete
Raising an athlete in today’s modern culture is a demanding proposition, with children experiencing more pressure to succeed in their chosen sport than ever before. The result is an increasing…
Bio-Banding
Traditionally, young athletes have been organised according to their age. In the UK, this tends to correspond with school year groups, so a child in year 6 would be categorised…
Nathan Wood Consulting 