Response Time / Anticipation Paul Whiting Devon Coaching Conference Devon Coaching Conference

Reaction Time / Response Time What is response time? What is reaction time? Is there a difference? Reaction time does not vary a great amount when compared from human to human (Holder, 2010). Holder (2010) also states that response time is a more accurate description of what we are concerned with training. This highlights that the athletes are responding to a action or movement (i.e. An athlete shaping up to play a shot), rather than reacting to a light being turned on (often found with reaction test). These types of test don’t give the performer any information to read / anticipate from. 2Devon Coaching Conference

Response Time Rosenbaum (1980), Ward, Williams, and Bennett (2002), and Williams, Ward, Smeeton, & Allen (2004), state that in reaction time based sports, performers aren’t able to pre-determine what action they will make in advance. Instead, before taking an action they must base their shot selection completely on external stimuli (the actions of someone or something else). This means that during competition a player’s response time can determine success in competition. 3Devon Coaching Conference

How do you “Coach” Response Time? Should you teach shots independently? Medina (2008) suggests that multitasking is a myth. He also suggests that the more focus there is on one stimulus the more the information is reinforced into the memory. 4Devon Coaching Conference

How do you “Coach” Response Time? Another study suggests that reducing response time is a huge factor within sport and could be the difference between success and failure (Rosenbaum, 1980; Ward, Williams, and Bennett, 2002; and Williams, Ward, Smeeton, & Allen, 2004). Shortening reaction time of responding to external stimuli should be one of the central focuses of high- level training (Wang, 2004, 2005, 2007). This quote is suggesting that responding to external stimuli is incredibly important. By external stimuli, it’s suggesting that there is more than one potential outcome and that an athlete has to try and predict which outcome to respond to. 5Devon Coaching Conference

What is Best? Medina Vs Wang Single Stimulus Vs Multiple Stimuli? Short discussion (pros, cons for both) 6Devon Coaching Conference

Can we use both Theories? Could it be that both Medina and Wang are correct in their views. If Medina’s theory is adopted at the early stage of a performers development and Wang’s theory is adopted at a more advanced level (Elite). Is the middle part of a player / athlete’s development a transition of Medina and Wang’s ideas, it would seem to fit well. Maybe it would look something like this: BEGINNER ELITE MEDINA (Single Stimulus) (Multiple Stimuli) WANG 7Devon Coaching Conference

Is this the Right Way? This progressive model is an idea that makes sense and could be applied to most sports, as well as table tennis. However, this is only a suggestion and individuals may interpret this information in a different way. Therefore, there may be many different ways to the “right way.” This could also be dependant on the athlete. 8Devon Coaching Conference

Overview Many studies show that: 1 focus point (i.e. Only working on FH topspin from one spot) could be considered too easy for Elite performers and in turn be counterproductive to their development. Having 3 or 4 skills or things to think about in training shows quicker improvement over time, as well as improvement in individual skills. The Medina / Wang model is a compromise and given the diversity of the sport (table tennis), it would seem to suit table tennis. 9Devon Coaching Conference

Task In your sport - 1. Devise an exercise suitable for an 8 year old beginner, based upon the previous information given. 2. Devise an exercise suitable for a 13 year old intermediate regional athlete based upon the previous information given. 3. Devise an exercise suitable for a 19 year old Semi Professional athlete, based up the previous information given. 10Devon Coaching Conference

Summary – How to Coach it? Can you set up scenarios to help improve response time? Yes Can you teach athletes to think about scenarios for themselves that can improve their own response time? Yes 11Devon Coaching Conference

References / Reading Holder, T Reaction Time Vs Response Time, UKCC Level 3. (Personal Communication, May 2010). Lilleshall National Sports Centre. Rosenbaum, 1980; Ward, Williams, and Bennett, 2002; and Williams, Ward, Smeeton, & Allen, Rosenbaum, D.A. (1980). Human movement initiation: Specification of arm, direction, and extent. Journal of Experiment Psychology: General, 109, Medina, J., Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School. Seattle: Pear Press. P 74 & P84 Wang, J. (2004). Application of scientific principles to advanced training of soccer- shooting, International Journal of Football and Science. Vol. 2, No. 1. Wang, J. (2005). Innovative and Advanced training approaches for feedback-based sports skills. International Journal of Physical Education, Vol. XLII, Issue 2, 2nd Quarter. Wang, J. (2007). Formula for a winning team – Analysis of world cup play provides ways coaches can improve training and talent development. Soccer Journal – Official Publication of the National Soccer Coaches. Association of America, Vol. 52, No Devon Coaching Conference