Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

DaveM wins first prize! Sight is the correct answer! Thanks to all for 'playing!'

Hear you go, DaveM!

The Silence Methodology is one of several cornerstones of my coaching philosophy – "THE MATRIX OF CREATIVITY". (I thank John the Colombian for sharing it with me.) I will post more of this one day when I have time; it will be in the book I am writing.

My personal coaching mantra is: "Execute skills… with HEAD UP… at speed… under pressure… consistently."

The absence of auditory cues forces one to get their head up; so they can see and read the play.

This goes against what we have all been taught in hockey… CALL FOR THE PUCK / TALK, etc.! I thought it was BS myself… until I tried it as a participant; then as a coach. WOW! What a difference! (This is why I insist on doing coaching clinics with the coaches as participants… so it enables them to 'feel' what it is like as a player.)

When I train dryland, I usually insist on playing the games "in silence" to encourage heads up play. With your head up, you see more of the game and this helps develop your read and react / anticipation abilities. I don't use "open games" (allowing talking) near as much as in the 'old' days, but I still use them…

I challenge each one of you to do the same (start with dryland first) and see what you think. if you have the ability, video the session as an 'open' game; then using 'silence'. When you are done, go back and look for differences. (You will also see it even if you don't record it. Ask the players their impressions afterwards.)

As a coach, if / when you hear 'something' other than silence, "STOP! 10/10 for everyone. I asked for SILENCE!" Keep upping the ante. You will get silence!

Silence means no talking, banging, grunting, whistling, etc. NOTHING! All you should hear is sneakers on the gym floor, and the players puffing. (You can do this in the rink too. No calling out, no banging the stick, etc.)

Silence FORCES one to get their head up and keep it up – it improves their cognitive processes. It allows for creative discovery; space awareness; reading of the game and other player's body language; enhances self control and composure to increase creative play / develop one's personal style; stimulation of problem-solving skills UNDER GAME SITUATIONS; over time, it promotes self-esteem and self-confidence because the players are now used to getting and keeping their heads up!

Now imagine when it is a 'real' game and it is so noisy, you can't even hear yourself think. No problem… now everybody is used to having their head up… less dependency on audition (doesn't mean I am 100% against yelling if someone is going to get hurt!)…head on a swivel… see the entire play!

When we coaches use constant feedback, we tend to strangulate (more than stimulate) the player's capacity of CREATIVITY and INNOVATION! We need to SHUT UP more often than not and let the game be the best teacher (learn from experience / implicit learning). Next best thing is to use DaveM's method of asking the players certain questions – starting with general questions, then moving to more specific (guiding the process).

"Without the gift of silence, they cannot hear the guidance of their inner spirit; which speaks softly but with great wisdom."

Try it – you will be amazed at the difference!

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