2D Inquiry!
Ive been a performer and tried my hand at teaching dance but my love was always for hockey. So with my degree I plan on becoming a PE teacher specialising in hockey coaching. Hopefully I can still be involved with the school's dance and drama department as I'd like the opportunity to help with the productions. I believe my experience would be beneficial to individuals and as a collective ensemble. I'm currently a level 2 coach running a school 1XI team in Kent, involved with coaching the Kent county squads and also the Southern county squad which is run by England hockey. Much of my reflection is centred around how I can change my methods and what I could introduce to improve my sessions. The actual practise of reflection comes quite naturally as it was a large part of my dancing career and is currently a major topic of coaching. We constantly are receiving feedback from others but most importantly are taught to question our own methods. What do I think went well? Could I have changed anything to better suit the athletes? (reflection-in-action!) My journal is full of entries questioning ideas or looking forward to a session where I've experimented and then reflected upon the outcome.
I'm not sure if it exists in dance teacher training but to become a hockey coach you must be aware of your role and responsibilities towards the group you coach. A safeguarding and protecting children course and a first-aid course must be passed as part of the qualification. Understanding the necessary code of behaviour towards children is taken very seriously as their safety and well-being is in your hands. As a coach your behaviour must be considered professional at all times towards the children but you also have to watch the behaviour of child on child. Equal opportunity is a highly stressed method of coaching and integral to the enjoyment of children of all abilities in any sport or dance etc.
Watching out for bullying is a main concern. Unfortunately there are two types. Inter-group bullying, as in child on child, or coach to child bullying. The latter can be difficult to spot as most coaches want to push the group or individuals to fulfil their potential.
When does it stop being encouragement and start becoming bullying? I think it's a fine line because if you see someone with a talent for something you like to bring that forward and develop it. The method in which you achieve this is what is important. Constantly shouting and singling the person out is not the way. You have to find the coaching technique which they will respond to positively. This may take time but with the help of reflective thinking it can be achieved. Did they respond well to targets I set them? If I made them demonstrate an exercise did that play to their ego and make them work a little harder?
I've witnessed what I've considered to be good styles of coaching both one-on-one and as an entire group but I've also seen bullying. Bullying has such a negative effect on the recipient even if it's not intended, just merely the coaches passion. Can it be mis-construed? Of course but you only have to look at the effect it has on the individual to decide for yourself. Being aware of your actions towards the group and individuals is a vital component in coaching/teaching.
My coaching jobs enable me to work with different coaches on a regular basis thus helping me observe various methods and learn from some very experienced coaches. My admiration of certain individuals is reflected in my methods of coaching. I use certain explanations for techniques which I think relevant and then add my own 'spice' to it. Unfortunately I haven't asked permission to mention other coaches names and they don't have links I can post but hopefully in the future. I'll have to find out if there's a coaches union or forum where they swap ideas. If not....could I be the founder??
I'm not sure if it exists in dance teacher training but to become a hockey coach you must be aware of your role and responsibilities towards the group you coach. A safeguarding and protecting children course and a first-aid course must be passed as part of the qualification. Understanding the necessary code of behaviour towards children is taken very seriously as their safety and well-being is in your hands. As a coach your behaviour must be considered professional at all times towards the children but you also have to watch the behaviour of child on child. Equal opportunity is a highly stressed method of coaching and integral to the enjoyment of children of all abilities in any sport or dance etc.
Watching out for bullying is a main concern. Unfortunately there are two types. Inter-group bullying, as in child on child, or coach to child bullying. The latter can be difficult to spot as most coaches want to push the group or individuals to fulfil their potential.
When does it stop being encouragement and start becoming bullying? I think it's a fine line because if you see someone with a talent for something you like to bring that forward and develop it. The method in which you achieve this is what is important. Constantly shouting and singling the person out is not the way. You have to find the coaching technique which they will respond to positively. This may take time but with the help of reflective thinking it can be achieved. Did they respond well to targets I set them? If I made them demonstrate an exercise did that play to their ego and make them work a little harder?
I've witnessed what I've considered to be good styles of coaching both one-on-one and as an entire group but I've also seen bullying. Bullying has such a negative effect on the recipient even if it's not intended, just merely the coaches passion. Can it be mis-construed? Of course but you only have to look at the effect it has on the individual to decide for yourself. Being aware of your actions towards the group and individuals is a vital component in coaching/teaching.
My coaching jobs enable me to work with different coaches on a regular basis thus helping me observe various methods and learn from some very experienced coaches. My admiration of certain individuals is reflected in my methods of coaching. I use certain explanations for techniques which I think relevant and then add my own 'spice' to it. Unfortunately I haven't asked permission to mention other coaches names and they don't have links I can post but hopefully in the future. I'll have to find out if there's a coaches union or forum where they swap ideas. If not....could I be the founder??
I love coaching hockey. It's not a job to me. To see the improvement in the athletes over the period of time I'm with them is a very enjoyable experience. Hopefully my passion for the game will reflect through my coaching installing self-belief and a willingness to succeed in the groups I work with.
Hi Leon
ReplyDeleteI think the question you raise about bully is really interesting. When working at a higher level with students the line between bully and encouragement is often blurred to an outsider.
I always keep in mind the following things:
Are my feelings getting in the way/is there any malice in what I am doing?
With regard to the former, dance is an emotional, passionate journey on any level but what makes you a good teacher is the ability to separate your personal and professional feelings, however I think we all have to admit there are times when we struggle to do so. The latter should never be the case.
How capable is this Student? Are they working at their potential?
Not everyone is capable of getting an 'A'. One Student's 'C' is another's 'A'. If they are not working to their potential then the should be pulled up on this in a way the teacher, as a professional, sees fit. It is important to remember to praise the positives as well as criticising the negatives.
How well do I know the Student? How do they respond to pressure? Is your behaviour the right thing for them?
We know our students. What works for one does not necessarily work for the others. Some students need pressure, others crumble under it.
I think questions of this type are difficult. I'm sure many of us have been witness to times when a behaviour has gone beyond our perception of acceptable, however so often things are open to interpretation. Without the whole story, the background, the relationship, the situation, it is not only difficult but unfair to make a judgement.
How does what you see during your coaching relate to what you experienced during your dance training/career?
Take care
Megan