Plan well and trust process to succeed

WHEN commencing with a team, one of the first questions I get asked is “Where do you start?” This was similar when JCU Sport and Exercise Science – High Performance Sport Initiative started with Marlin Coast Marlins State League Netball in 2017.

So, where do you start? For our coaches and interns, there are five key questions we aim to address in what I call “the process of planning”, they are:

1) Coach’s requirements: What does the coach want to develop in the playing group? What is the style of play they want to achieve?

2) Team environment: Where is the team at in creating their identity? What standards have they set?

3) Athlete testing: What physical and psychological characteristics are important for the team to maximise their performance potential and be competitive?

4) Athlete monitoring: Player training status; workload and tolerance, GPS data, injury status; and

5) Education: What are key target education areas to assist the players in achieving their individual and team goals?

The importance of answering these questions honestly (although that may be confronting for some coaches) is the cornerstone of the process.

Without truly reflecting on where the players and playing group are really at, it is difficult to implement change that will leave the program in a stronger position than when you started.

Two world-class athletes I met with this week both said how important planning was, emphasising that success does not happen by chance. It happens when planning, dedication and persistence meet at that moment when it matters most.

WITHOUT TRULY REFLECTING ON WHERE THE PLAYERS AND PLAYING GROUP ARE REALLY AT, IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT CHANGE ASSOC PROFESSOR STEPHEN BIRD