Shane Smith

BSc Sports Science. M.A Primary Ed. School teacher. Coach.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

The longer I coach, the more I realise that coaching isn't about making children technically brilliant from a young age. It's more about retaining them playing until a later age.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Very Interesting read from @colnoc77

[Dr. Colman Noctor @colnoc77]

“At increasingly younger ages, training becomes more intense, selection becomes harsher, and the environment becomes more outcome-driven. The language shifts from enjoyment to performance, from participation to selection”

https://t.co/RhRcIHv0ro

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

As many sports return after the summer break, its worth remembering that

A. No child should be giving up sports because they're a sub every week.

B. No child should be giving up sports because of insufficient game time.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Really interesting read from @colnoc77 .

"If we focus only on winning and awards, we risk causing anxiety and reducing enjoyment".

Well worth a read for parents, coaches & clubs.

[Dr. Colman Noctor @colnoc77]

“Hugo Keenan’s journey to success serves as a reminder not to judge potential too soon. We should view sport as a long-term journey, not just a race to the top. It’s about who remains engaged and enjoys it at 18, not who’s best at 8”

https://t.co/3WFr6Y0qPI

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Coaches should continue to strive towards a smaller sided games format at training.

Where 4v4 is chosen over 8v8.

Where 5v5 is chosen over 10v10.

Where ball contact is maximised.

Where goals are plenty.

Where decisions are made under pressure.

Where every child is involved

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Regardless of winning medals or trophies, the retention of children on your sports team is a great measure that you're doing things well.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Another weekend of matches.

A variety of instructions.

From a variety of people.

Sends a variety of messages.

Let the coaches coach.

Let the children play.

It's often that simple.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Coaching kids becomes very enjoyable when you accept that results are largely irrelevant.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Of all the skills that coaches require, interpersonal skills are arguably the most important.

That ability to speak, to listen and to connect.

People skills.

Invaluable.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

6 reflective questions post training

1. Were there opportunities to score?

2. Were they making decisions?

3. Was it too drills based?

4. Can I incorporate small sided games?

5. Was everyone involved?

6. Are all players being afforded the opportunity to improve their skill?

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Smaller sided games are a great & simple way to develop young players to maximise ball contact.

And they can be easily implemented at training.

Aim for 4v4 over 8v8, or 5v5 over 10v10.

More touches
More goals
More decision making
More skill development
More enjoyment

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

@SebTideyCoach Be slow to correct and be quick to praise.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Thanks for sharing @fhsperformance . A very interesting thread for coaches.

[John Murphy @fhsperformance]

What’s the real measure of success when it comes to coaching youth players?

Medals, retention, enjoyment, future success?

Something else or some combination of the above?

The latest conversation with @PeteyShaw delved into his approach at Terenure College 🧵

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

The Fun Integrations Theory: Towards sustaining children and adolescents in sport.

Winning was ranked 48th out of 81 factors influencing participation.

For 10 year olds, fun was 4 times more important than winning.

Visek, A. J., et al. (2015)

Interesting research for coaches

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

"Adult expectations, attitudes & behaviors can unintentionally sour children's experience in sport"

"This pressure can come in many forms, including unrealistically high expectations, a focus on winning, heated post match debriefings & critical comments"
https://t.co/iZiCNCXi2v

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Really good read discussing many aspects of coaching.

Including the popular belief that there's a "Golden age" between ages 7-12 for learning sports skills.

Which as the article indicates, lacks evidence.

A brilliant read for coaches.

https://t.co/y6ISE5ciqD

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

@Mr_Tennis_Coach Be slow to correct and be quick to praise.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Brilliant read for coaches.

[Mark O'Sullivan PhD @markstkhlm]

A shorter version of our article that appeared in the Czech Olympic magazine COACH is now available in english on the homepage of the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences - With a mention to @fab_otte at the end. https://t.co/NWx9k5ICaz

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

The longer I coach, the more I realise that the greatest learning occurs in the chaos of games & play.

And not in the predictability of drills & lines.

Embrace the chaos.

Relinquish coach control.

And watch them flourish.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

Really interesting thread.

[Philip O'Callaghan 🎾 @Mr_Tennis_Coach]

"Why do players perform well in drills but struggle in games?

Often, the answer is representativeness. Many drills remove key game info, while full matches don’t provide chances for them to explore the skill

So how do we fix this? Let’s talk about the Task Simplification
👇🧵

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

@ThereseMorris73 Yes it may be in some cases but its always worth trying. There's so much value for so many when the numbers are smaller.

[Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197]

3v3 is a great concept & reasonably simple to set up at training.

Give yourself some extra time to
1. Set up the pitches
2.Organise teams
3. Have equipment ready

And watch the players flourish in an environment of ball contact, goal scoring, enjoyment & skill development.

[DDSL Grassroots @DDSL_Official]

Brilliant Action from the 3v3 Tournament

#dublin #develop #skills #3v3