Coaches' Corner book out now!
Guest post by Kelvin Giles today.
It’s here, an accumulation of over 20 years of coaching experience. Available to buy on Amazon now.
Introduction by Kelvin Giles
It is an appropriate time for all parents, teachers, coaches and decision-makers in education and sports to question their assumptions in light of the unique stressors that these adults have created for the younger generations to navigate on their journey to adulthood.
It has been said that the journeys to physical and emotional well-being and to progression in performance in competitive games are cut from the same cloth. Unfortunately, while the former is seldom seen at the centre of things for the decision-makers the latter has been conflicted and confused by the untoward desires of adults.
“Start where the child is now, not where a model says they should be.” James Marshall
Physical and emotional well-being is a basic entitlement for all on the road to adulthood and should appear as a fundamental pillar in all Primary and Secondary education pathways. Progression in competitive sports is not only about winning or ranking or rewards but of a journey that builds on a powerful foundation of physical and emotional well-being. It takes little understanding to see how the two journeys are intimately related. While we currently fail in our attempt to appropriately combine these two vital journeys as one at the teacher/student and coach/athlete interface, there is some hope.
“I realise that by keeping moving and being exposed to different environments my children (athletes) will develop in ways that I can’t imagine or foresee, and control.” James Marshall
Scattered worldwide are practitioners like James Marshall who have immersed themselves in the foundations of these journeys – “understanding the person and understanding learning”. When journeys are built on these two principles the future is bright for those on the pathway.
Instead of heaping the adult desires of winning, ranking and rewarding young people and racing to the sports competition-specific elements too quickly, these practitioners are the beacons of reality and common sense. I am fortunate to know them and learn from them as my teaching/coaching journey continues and it is to this end that I am honoured and excited to introduce James Marshall and his teaching/coaching journey to everyone. His thoughts, as illustrated in his writings, are an ideal framework upon which to build the required journey for your students and athletes.
James and his unique band of brothers and sisters are known for their healthy scepticism of the limitations of some modern-day research and have appropriately coupled ‘practice-based evidence’ to their decision-making and delivery.
Take advantage of this sharing that epitomises James’s willingness to support others along their teaching and coaching journeys.
Kelvin Giles MA CertEd AS
Thanks to everyone who has bought the book so far. I hope you find it thought-provoking and useful. I wrote it to help spread the best practice I can deliver so young sports people around the world may benefit.
You can buy it here.