Reflection

In this blog, I will share my perspective, on one of my university course modules (Applied Pedagogy in Sports). I would like to point out that regardless of the content of the module, the module leaders had an exceptional understanding of the subject and were always available when students needed help with the content and tasks of the module.

Useful

Talent identification

I considered this module material to be beneficial and interesting, as it enabled me to understand the various variables that could build and develop talent for an athlete. The LTAD model (Long Term Athlete Development) has also been shown to be a very effective model in theory.

That’s because I think the concept of training young athletes from 6 to 9 years intensively until their 17 to 18 years is an effective and efficient way to develop talent. The module also explained how to find and develop talent, as well as how to identify improvements in performance.

Skill Acquisition

I found that the content of this module was useful but a little complex, because of the amount of information. Nevertheless, the material was essential for a deep understanding of the factors surrounding skill acquisition, such as how complex and simple skills can be acquired, identified and developed.

We also talked about stages of learning, phases of growth and development, factors affecting skill learning, how feedback should be SPECIFIC and ultimately the mental model RAMD (Reaction, Acceleration, Maximum Speed, Deceleration), which are all very useful and informative for students doing sports courses, regardless of their specialisation.

Warm-ups, Physical Literacy & Strength Development

In this topic, we learnt the importance of fundamental movement skills for physical development and the RAMP (Raise, Activate, Mobilise, Potentiate) model. That was critical for the developing process of the session plans. It helped me understand how to properly create the session and take in consideration every aspect and factors that would help the participants build strong foundations.

Coaching Behaviours

In this module content, I learn the different behaviours used by coaches to pass useful information to their athletes. The coaches behaviours learnt were Technical Instruction, Tactical Instruction, General Instructions, Hustles, Praise and encouragement, Scolds, Non-verbal punishments, Criticism/reinstruction, Modelling, Non-verbal reward, Humour and Uncodable.

We also found out why each coaching behaviours are used and why some of them are used most of the time. The systematic observation analysis of the teaching behaviours was an excellent addition to the model content. Since it shows the most used coaching behaviours that experienced coaches use during training, where Tactical instructions, Hustles, Technical instructions, praise and encouragement and general instructions were the first five most used behaviours respectively.

Goal setting

This module demonstrated the importance of setting goals, as well as how vital it is to know your current position on the path, also to decide the best direction, and to break down the journey into smaller steps. Also, the need for smart targets has been highlighted and should be specific, measurable, acceptable, recorded, and time-phased.

What I enjoyed

I did already had some skills or idea on how to plan a session. However, I learnt how to accurately deliver a session and take in consideration all the factors or principles that are needed to be involved and added to a session.

Additionally, some of the learnt skills were the ability to stop an activity to make small changes or give feedback and useful information. To work in a group to develop a plan, to adapt the session plan if unexpected situations arise. It was also very enjoying, because of the different sports that my peers used for their session plan, such as handball, dodgeball, wheelchair basketball. That was indeed useful content, which I will surely use in the future.

Bottom Line

I did not find any of the module content irrelevant or boring. Some module content was more relevant than others, but I believe this module was very relevant for the path I want to follow on my academic journey.