Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

RWF,

I also enjoy hearing about how others 'get to the top' of their profession. Are there any commonalities? What can I take away from there to make myself or my coaches / kids even better? That's why I post some articles on players – how they got there. I find lots on The Hockey News site.

Players from remote (smaller) places might have an edge in ice time and coaching, etc. There was a study recently done (can't remember or find it but I might have posted it on here somewhere!) and it said that the majority or pro athletes in almost all sports (Football, Hockey, Basketball, PGA, LPGA, etc… but there was one sport where this may or may not be the case – baseball?) come from a hometown of less than 500,000 people. Come to think of it, there are LOTS of places 500,000 or less, so maybe this is to be expected… there aren't many places over 500,000!

True development occurs when the big picture is kept in mind – performance over outcome (I will post an example of this below.). Even as a volunteer minor sport coach, people expect you to win… if you don't, you might not get 're-hired' back next year for another volunteer position! It's a sad statement… but true.

Wooden came from and coached in a different era. The 'X-Box athletes' are different today. I am not sure that even he could replicate this degree of success (especially championships in a row!); but I would like to think he would still be fairly successful. The old adage, "They don't care how much you know, till they know how much you care" still works today – I have lived it. I guarantee it!

I am thinking about starting a new thread regarding 'how' to coach… stay tuned. You and RK and DaveM have been inspiring my thoughts through your comments and questions.

Also, check out the "books for coaches to read thread". I will be posting two more that I am reading right now that I HIGHLY recommend. They are about how to treat people properly and how this positively impacts your coaching.

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."