Understanding Interventions and Player Creativity Monday 26th August 2013 Understanding Interventions and Player Creativity Mark Kearney FAYCE & John Griffiths RCDM St Georges Park

The Future Game Vision for players: “To produce technically excellent and innovative players, with exceptional decision making skills” P 4 and 5 The Future Game

The Future Game Vision for coaches: “To train, develop, qualify and support more innovative coaches, who are excellent teachers of the game” P 6 and 7 The Future Game

“Starting with those in the very youngest age groups, players must be encouraged to master the ball and develop their creativity and expression” p11 The Future Game

What is Creativity ? “Creativity is defined as new ideas that have value”

How do we Develop it ? “Human beings are, by nature, creative. Throughout a lifetime, each time we encounter the unfamiliar we use our natural creative ability to choose the next action”. “Creativity is present every time you make a decision. In each moment you mix sensory awareness with your movement through time and space”. “Creativity involves stretch. We challenge constraints and search for possibilities. Materials and processes set one framework, and the artist’s own nature defines another”.

“Notice the fear, as it will likely be there. So what “Notice the fear, as it will likely be there. So what. The vision is worth it. If it isn’t, get a new vision. The scary stuff is often rich with learning”. “Humans like safety. Yet creativity and growth almost always involve risk. Your newest idea may work, but it may not. It can feel like you are approaching the edge of a cliff, reluctant to dive into the unknown. However jumping into that unknown grows easier with practice”. “Coaching provides that practice, and invites you to view each risk as an opportunity, so that your next risk can be even more selective”.

The Philosophy: “To apply the philosophy outlined in this guide, we need coaches who can develop environments in which players are encouraged to be creative and expressive without the fear of failure” P 13 The Future Game.

The environment.... “Young players should be encouraged to be creative, take risks and experiment without fear of failure and subsequent criticism” p 83 The Future Game

The Environment..... “A young player who is made to feel confident, capable and trusted to be creative will have a greater chance of fulfilling their potential than one who feels afraid to fully express themselves. P 83 The Future Game.

Our Young Players.... “It is crucial that young players experience the dynamic nature of the game of football, where they are challenged to make appropriate decisions and movements in the context of the game” p 107 The Future Game

Creativity Components Individual Creativity Context Task

OBSERVATION & FEEDBACK Coaching Methods Continuum Coaching methodology COMMAND QUESTION & ANSWER OBSERVATION & FEEDBACK GUIDED DISCOVERY TRIAL & ERROR Player/coach interventions Coach tells & shows required solution Coach leads with question to gain response from players Coach & players observe Coach asks a question or issues a challenge Players and/or coach decide on the challenge Example “I want you to..!” “What do you think?” “Let’s watch this!” “Can you show me..?” “Try for yourself..!” Description Coach tells, explains & shows how to do something Coach poses question & players offer verbal solution to challenge Players & coach observe & discuss feedback Coach challenges & players offer visual demonstration of possible solution Players are encouraged to find solutions with minimal support from coach

Taking Care of Players Guiding Praising Reminding Watching Checking Helping Reviewing Re-focussing Re-enforcing Challenging Questioning Modelling Demonstrating Instructing Teaching Humouring Evaluating Calming Listening Re-evaluating Coaxing Assessing Asking Re-assessing Correcting Re-assuring Tweaking Skilfully neglecting (showing an understanding of knowing when players need time to self correct)

The Outfield Player Technical Displays versatility and ingenuity to meet the demands of the game. Has the creativity to produce the ‘unexpected’ in the right place at the right time. Preferably two footed, with some degree of unorthodoxy. Psychological and Tactical Eager to learn – stay on task Deals with disappointment, criticism and errors with resilience and a positive outlook. Assured and intelligent decision maker. Demonstrates good spatial awareness and is quick to respond to game events. Intelligent for self and team. Constantly monitors the development of play whilst on the move, building mental pictures to assist in effective decision-making prior to receiving the ball. Physical Possesses agility, speed and strength as well as the appropriate levels of endurance and changes of pace necessary to meet the demands of the game. The Outfield Player

‘The true aim of every one who aspires to be a teacher should be, not to impart his own opinions, but to kindle minds’. F. W. Robertson Used figuratively, the word kindle means: to excite, stir up, set going; animate or rouse. “He kindled their hopes of victory”. To cause something gradually to begin burning – to kindle someone’s interest!!!