Coaching For Competition
This is to provide some additional support information for parents and to recap on the main aspects of the approach which the coaching team considers essential if we are to enable the competition groups to get the best out of themselves and to become really serious competitors at the highest levels of the game in the coming years.
The key overall point is that as a club community of coaches and parents, we have to create an environment in which the players will understand and buy into the idea that it is only through focused and high-intensity training and playing that they can hope to achieve significant competitive success. We have to shift the current perception of Leixlip handballers from ‘highly skilled but a bit lazy – not seriously competitive’ to one in which high skills levels are complemented by real competitive drive
The main elements of this approach will be
The Club
- The club coaching programme already underway in skills development, fitness/agility and game strategy, will be upped in intensity. Individual skills programmes have been developed for all members of the group and the targets set will be monitored weekly. The programme over all three elements will be demanding but the pay-back will be in improved performance and the satisfaction this brings – as well as in enhanced ability to compete.
- Individual skills support will be available in the supplementary sessions provided for in the recently finalised coaching timetable.
- Internal competitive games, support and mentoring will be provided by senior club players [contact details are attached]
- Open Sessions (usually weekend) will provide an opportunity to try out new skills in a relaxed atmosphere
The Parents
- As has been stressed on a number of occasions recently, it will be crucial that parents take an active role in creating the kind of environment mentioned above. They will need to be informed, supportive and participative to the greatest extent possible.
- Home Work: This is a basic and very important element of skills development, with the focus on regularity of training and repetition of drills. The work should be based on the individual skills programmes provided and the ongoing club input in this area will mainly be in monitoring progress.
- Court Work: Every effort should be made to maximise use of the court for skills training and competitive games. With increasing demand on court time it may be a good idea to share court bookings - but be sure to check against the overall coaching timetable when making a booking.
- External games; Again this is crucial in building confidence and know-how as well as in providing competitive experience. Two external games per month would probably be the minimum needed for worthwhile benefit. A full list of support material and links is given below and coaches will be happy to help out with initial arrangements.
The willingness of parents to become involved in club activity has been one of the most positive developments of recent years. It has given a great boost to those of us who have been around for a while and it can be the launching pad for really worthwhile achievement at all club levels over the coming years. The programme sketched out above will be one element of this. It will be a challenge for all of us – and not least for the players – but I think it’s a challenge worth taking on.
And finally, I think it’s important to put this in context. It is just one element of club activity and while we want to be as professional as possible we don’t want to put unfair pressure on anyone. We feel that all the members of the group are well capable of raising their game but if any of them feel that it’s too demanding and/or that they would prefer to continue in a non-competitive way, that will be fine.
Vinny
October, 2010
Support Material
List of Contacts for External Games – Already circulated to parents
List of Contacts for Internal Games – Already circulated to parents
Links from Coaching Programme on Club Website[www.leixliphandball.ie/coaching programme]
Club Coaching Timetable
National Clár
Handball Playing Rules
Club Coaching and Competition Plan
Also
For general handball information: Gaahandball.ie and the links from our own site
.