Andrew Manley Conference Workshop (02.11.2012)

CARNEGIE CENTRE FOR SPORT PERFORMANCE

GREAT STRIDES: ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF DEVELOPING ATHLETES Dr Andrew Manley (Registered Sport Psychologist)

AIMS OF THE WORKSHOP

Develop an understanding of each others’ roles in

working with developing athletes

Provide examples of work conducted over the last

two seasons with developing athletes (aged 14-17)

Reflections and future directions

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ACTIVITY #1: WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

Think about your role within your team/organisation...

Using the “post-it” notes on the table, write down the

duties that you are expected fulfil when working with

your athletes (one duty or role per “post-it”)

Place the “post-it” notes within the Big “I” on the flipchart

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IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHERS’ ROLES

Make sure the service I provide is fit for purpose

Develop accepted expectations about:

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— The environment (e.g., philosophy and

culture of the team/organisation)

— Our specific role(s) within the environment

(e.g., remit, time, content, accountability)

A crucial consideration in fulfilling my own role effectively

Thelwell (2012)

ACTIVITY #2: WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF YOUR ATHLETES?

Think about the primary needs of your developing

athletes...

Using the marker pens provided, come up to the flipchart

and list what you feel are the primary needs of your

developing athletes

Write these needs around the outside of the Big “I”

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IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING ATHLETES’ PRIMARY NEEDS

Acknowledge the differences whilst facilitating progression

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— Holistic approach (e.g., developing skills and attributes that are

transferable but are aimed at enhancing athletic performance)

Douglas and Carless (2006); Pain and Harwood (2007; 2008)

Academy/Development Vs. High Performance/Elite

Development issues/progression Motives Achievement; Livelihood

School, College, University, Job Other demands Contracts; Media

Coach; Friends; Parents Significant others Coach; Friends; Parents; Fans

Coach; Teammates; Sporting Idols Communication /Relationships

Coach; Teammates; Rivals

PERSONAL

RESPONSIBILITY

&

REGULAR, QUALITY PRACTICE

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Positive

Negative

CHALLENGE

Negative Negative

Negative

Negative

Negative

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive Positive

Positive

Positive

Positive Positive

Positive

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ACTIVITY #3: DEVELOPING “IF...THEN...” STATEMENTS

Make some “If…, then…” statements

to help you stick to your goals…

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If I find I am

struggling to

achieve my

goals…

…then I will try to think of ways

to make my goals more exciting

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…then I will speak to my coach to

see if my goals need adjusting

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…then I will ask myself if I am

putting in the required level of effort

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IF…I am tempted to eat

foods that might stop me

performing well

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IF…I don’t feel like putting

in 100% during a training

session

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IF…I am tempted to go out

with friends when I should

be training or doing

schoolwork

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND “IF...THEN...” STATEMENTS

Also known as “Implementation Intentions” (Gollwitzer, 1993)

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Most powerful when people make physical connections between

intentions and behaviours (Armitage, 2006; Arden & Armitage, 2008)

IF…I don’t feel like putting in

100% during a training session

THEN…I will remember that I feel

guilty when I behave this way

THEN…I will make sure I am rewarded

appropriately for sticking to my training

plan

THEN…I will recall what I know about

the benefits of training hard

REFLECTIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Fortunate and privileged to work

with a fantastic team of people

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Refine and promote the work we

have engaged in to-date

More effective use of resources available (e.g., time, people)

— Prioritise key needs (e.g., lifestyle balance and other demands)

— Tap into postgraduate trainees (enthusiastic and accessible)

FRI SUN -

NOW - END OF SEASON

NOW - END OF CAREER

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NOW - RIO 2016

THE COACH IS ALSO A

“PERFORMER” (MARTENS, 1987)

WHAT WILL YOUR DASH

BE MADE OF?

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TAKE HOME MESSAGES

IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND OUR OWN ROLE IN

RELATION TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SUPPORT TEAM

ACCEPTED ROLES ALLOW US TO SUPPORT

ATHLETES’ PRIMARY NEEDS

TRY TO HELP ATHLETES MAKE PHYSICAL LINKS WITH

POSITIVE BELIEFS AND BEHAVIOURS

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THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING

Email: [email protected]

Q & A

— Any further questions?

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