@What I have outlined in this paper is very
likely quite challenging as it involves a
radical repositions of the coach. It requires
the coach to move from a position of authority
and the source of all knowledge to adopt
a role as a facilitator of learning. It involves
working together with all the players to
collectively develop skills and knowledge.
This does not, however, mean that the coach
does less work. In fact, the Game Sense approach
initially involves a great deal of work in
designing appropriate activities and questions.
Rather than abandon current approaches to
jump in the deep end I suggest that coaches
interested in these ideas begin to gradually
work them into existing training programs.
As Kidman suggests, coaches will interpret
Game Sense in different ways and will work
it into their own coaching approaches and
philosophy in particular ways12). Game Sense, however, is underpinned by
a conceptualisation of coaching that is distinctly
different from a 'traditional' approach that
focuses on technical development and 'skill
acquisition'. Game Sense can provide coaches
with a means through which they can develop
more complete players with adaptable skills,
tactical understanding, vision and informed
decision-making. Rugby games are chaotic
in so many ways and good players must be
able to makes sense of this chaos. To do
this they must train within a game-like environment.
Their skills must be developed in contexts
that resemble those within which they must
be performed in games. For too long many
rugby coaches have tried to force fit a template
of order on an activity that is complex,
dynamic, unpredictable and often untidy.
Games Sense provides a way through which
coaches can strive to develop thinking players
who can make sense of such often chaotic
conditions and make a valuable contribution
to the team effort.
|
| Notes and References |
| 1. |
Abernathy, B., Kippers, V., Mackinnon, L.,
Neal, R. and Harahan, S. (1996), The biophysical
foundations of human movement. Macmillan |
| 2. |
Greenwood, J. (1986), Think rugby: A guide
to purposeful team play. A & C Black |
| 3. |
Shiggy Konno, introduction in Greenwood (1986),
p. 3. |
| 4. |
Bourdieu, P. (1990), The logic of practice,
Stanford University Press |
| 5. |
Light, R. (2003), Making sense of chaos:
Australian coaches talk about Game Sense.
In: Examining a teaching games for understanding
model, Griffin, L. and Butler, J. (Eds),
Human Kinetics |
| 6. |
For example see, Howarth, K. (2000), Context
as a factor in teachers' perceptions of the
teaching of thinking skills in physical education.
Journal of Teaching in Physical Education,
19(3): 270-286; Kirk, D. and MacPhail, A.
(2002), Teaching games for understanding
and situated learning: Rethinking the Bunker
and Thorpe model. Journal of Teaching in
Physical Education, 21: 177-192 |
| 7. |
Abernathy et al; Light, R. and Fawns, R.
(2001), The thinking body: Constructivist
approaches to games teaching in physical
education. Melbourne Studies in Education,
42(2): 69-88 |
| 8. |
Bunker, D. and Thorpe, R. (1982), A model
for the teaching of games in secondary schools.
Bulletin of Physical Education, 18(1): 5-8 |
| 9. |
See for example, Light, R. (2002), The social
nature of games: Australian pre-service primary
teachers experiences of TGfU. European Physical
Education Review, 8(2): 291-310; O'Reilly,
E., Tompkins, J. and Gallant, M. (2001),
"They ought to enjoy physical activity,
you know?" Struggling with fun in Physical
Education. Sport, Education and Society,
6(2): 211-22; Portman, J. (1995), 'Who is
having fun in physical education classes?
Experiences of sixth grade students in elementary
and middle schools'. Journal of Teaching
in Physical Education, 14: 445-453 |
| 10. |
Australian Sports Commission (1991), Sport
for young Australians: Widening the gateways
to participation. Australian Sports Commission;
Kidman, L. (2001), Developing decision makers:
An empowerment approach to coaching. Innovative
Print Communications. |
| 11. |
Light, R. (2003), Making sense of chaos:
Australian coaches talk about Game Sense. |
| 12. |
Kidman, L. (2001). Developing decision makers:
An empowerment approach to coaching. Innovative
Print Communications |
|