Be Careful What You Believe
We came across a site online recently that claimed to be a coach development site. There were a number of them. Although there is no right or wrong in football, it is wrong to suggest there is one. The sites preached to their audiences that their way is the best way. A reason for writing this article emerged from one of their claims.
In their videos, the site promotes predetermined learning outcomes. Of course, each to his or her own. But it's worth noting the flaws in that approach. What are predetermined learning outcomes? A predetermined learning outcome is a training session that is designed so that certain topics will emerge from it.
This approach has the disadvantage of covering topics players may already know about and not focusing on aspects players may actually require help with.
Learning outcomes are like schooling that requires all students to take the same courses in the same order, regardless of whether some students excel in math and struggle with literature, while others have the opposite experience. Learning takes place, but is it what the individual needs? That makes sense, right? There's a path to true learning in understanding it, but some coaches don't seem to agree with or understand this concept.
Predetermined learning outcomes are like a gym class where everyone has to do the same workout routine, even if some participants are already fit and others need more focus on flexibility. Predetermined learning outcomes in training sessions are like a cooking class where the instructor insists on teaching everyone to make lasagna, even if some students already know how to make it, and might actually need details on how to make it better.
What’s Right or Wrong?
There is no right or wrong!. Structured progress, targeted skill development, and efficient time management are a few benefits of deciding what to teach in a training session in advance. By planning ahead, coaches can ensure that each session builds on the previous one, facilitating continuous improvement and a clear progression path for players. A purposeful and aligned training program can be achieved through this approach, allowing the identification of specific skills and tactics to be focused on. Pre-planning also assists coaches in managing time effectively, allowing them to allocate appropriate time for warm-ups, drills, and Small Sided Games. There are, however, some negatives as well. The rigidity of a predetermined plan may limit flexibility and adaptability, making it difficult to address unexpected needs or areas of improvement. Training sessions may also become less engaging for players if spontaneity and creativity are reduced.
Conclusion
A training session should be planned in a way that combines predetermined structure with flexibility. In addition to ensuring a focused and efficient training environment, coaches must incorporate room for adjustments so that they can respond to the immediate needs and dynamics of the players. As part of this hybrid approach, organized progression and targeted skill development are combined with the ability to address unforeseen challenges and opportunities for improvement. Coaches can create a more engaging, responsive, and ultimately more effective training experience by striking this balance.