COACHING TIPS
For an excellent reference for Coaching Tips go to Rob Judson's site http://www.robjudson.com
CLICK ON THE TOPIC TO VIEW
 | MENTAL SKILLS |
- Decision making process - GO To - Tactics and Shot Selection
- SHOT SELECTION & HEAD BUILDING - Go To - Tactics and Shot Selection
- Motivation & Feedback
- Visualization - See this...Not this
- BOWLS MENTAL SKILLS - Word Doc.
- How to Win and Play Under Pressure- Word Doc.
| TECHNIQUE & BIOMECHANICS |
- TYPES of BOWLS
- BOWLS BASIC BIOMECHANICS
- GOOD DELIVERY TECHNIQUE - Word Doc.
- WEIGHT CONTROL TECHNIQUES - Word Doc.
- AUTOMATED PERFORMANCE
- Video - Quick Time Movie (view with e.g. Real Player)
| PRACTICE and PLAYING TIPS |
- HOW DOES YOUR PRACTICE RATE?
- SUGGESTED PRACTICE SESSION
- 10 TOP TIPS for BEGINNERS
- HOW TO PLAY SLOW GREENS - Word Doc.
MOTIVATION & FEEDBACK
WHY IS A PLAYER TRYING TO LEARN?
WHY SHOULD A PLAYER IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS?
WHY DOES A PLAYER WANT TO WIN?
Goals are important. Remember this;
“Excuse me Sir,”
Alice inquires. “Could you please tell me which road to take?”
Wisely the
caterpillar asks,
“Where are you
going?”
Somewhat dismayed,
Alice responds,
“Oh, I don’t
know where I am going Sir.”
“Well’’
replies the caterpillar, “if you don’t know where you are going, it really
doesn’t matter which road you take .”
Lewis
Carroll.
Confidence can be developed
A player's confidence is a feeling and it can be changed. Setting achievable targets in practice is the start to gaining confidence. Working on weaknesses whilst not ignoring strengths will improve confidence. Confidence is that feeling when you believe you can manage anything an opponent does and triumph whatever the conditions.
It is worth mentally rehearsing previous victories and successes in order to prepare the mind and improve confidence. Over confidence is arrogance and although sometimes it can prevail it is a hindrance to inner peace and will eventually cause a serious reality check. Bowls is a game for calm, control and composure, not adrenalin rushing anxiety. It is preferable to develop a strong inner belief and control in order to manage the concentration required for success under pressure.
FEEDBACK
motivation of athletes
Confidence and player self esteem should be reinforced at every opportunity during practice sessions. This can be done by positive feedback on performance and practice, individual acknowledgment of a players strengths, reinforcing past achievements, emphasis positive benefit learned from disappointments and mistakes.
feedback to player
The value of feedback depends largely on a coach’s skill to identify errors and apply a remedy.
Each player should be given positive feedback about their performance at the main team practice session. Suggestions about improvement in certain areas can be given and the players then be directed to practice shots which had been identified as needing attention. Players should be encouraged to additional practice on these skills in addition to the main team practices.
A video camera can be used to provide visual feedback to the player on the green. This is important so that the player can identify and accept that change is necessary.
feedback to team
At the first team practice after a game a report should be given to the players. This would highlight the performance of the team, which parts were good and which parts were poor. The focus of the next practice session will be determined from the results of the analysis. The team will to be told the things they did well and the things that could do better. The result of the previous game needs to be kept in context with the longer term goals of the team. The players need to be directed to re-focus their efforts on the next game ahead.
Positive attitude and will
Neil Barras, RMIT Human Movement senior lecturer, in his Bowls coaching seminars highlighted the following points about motivation,
· people who feel good perform better
· every bowler has limitations
· focus on your strengths
· positive affirmations and self-talk can help
· look like a positive thinker
· project an ‘I love the challenge..” image.
Visualization
1.
See this … not
this. Visualization for simplifying the task.
Not this….
See this
Remove distractions from task.
Reduce pressure by ignoring headscore just prior to playing shot
simplify task to basic skill ie draw shot on forehand. What are the
things I need to do remember to succeed. Line required? Weight required?
Allow 1 or 2 thoughts into
your head during delivery eg. slow and smooth; allow for wind
TYPES of BOWLS
Which is the right bowl for me? This is a common question beginners have and even experienced players who fell the need to change. What is not well understood that some bowls better suit some conditions. Having said that it then follows that bowlers should probably play with more than one set of bowls, probably two but maybe even three. This is obviously only relevant to advanced players who can use the subtle differences between bowls to their advantage. Beginners should get a set of bowls that turn quite alot and stick to them for a few seasons.
It is a reasonably new phenomena that narrow bias bowls have become common and this raises some good questions..
Why is this?
Surely this is cheating?
Why shouldn't all bowlers play with the same equipment to make it fair?
There is some sort of assumption that bowls is played on a perfect surface this is rarely the case. In New Zealand greens can run at ridiculously fast pace and normal classis bowls just go out too far and are virtually unplayable. Narrower bias bowls are necessary just to have a normal game. In the U.K. and many places in southern Australia greens are slow and bowls do not turn as much. In these conditions traditional bowls are the most suitable. Subsequently there are many different manufacturers that have designed their own special bowl that will make you a champion. To take that out of the game would certainly rob it of some of the mystery and intrigue.
I am generally not a fan of narrow bowls but use Henselilte Size 5 ABT Evo bowls. Recently a friend of mine changed to Redline bowls from Classic II Henselite bowls. He was Group singles Champion with those bowls but has since struggled to get back to top form, particularly in Pennant fours. He trialed the bowls up north during the winter and played like a champ. Waited for a while in Melbourne then brought them out when the greens were still slow and rather dead. A couple of things happened that made his standard of play deteriorate. Firstly he played too may narrow bowls with his new narrow bowls. This is bad and indicates lack of precision with his aiming line. Secondly he would often be overweight on the narrow hand. What was happening is that he would not have the weight control as the bowl would stay on it's running surface longer as the soft surface would not allow the bowl to fall naturally on its bias and stay more upright. This results in less turn and the bowl maintains more forward momentum that takes it 3 or 4 feet further than expected. A side wind also holds the bowl up on its running surface an the same thing happens. Again when too much force is applied at delivery, the bowl will travel straighter along it's line, not come into the head and miss merrily on the wide side. The line initially looks good but the bowl will not turn not the head. A correction on the line and less weight can even mean missing narrow with the next bowl!!
So this is an example of the wrong bowls for the conditions. Same player but poor results. hard to convince the play who has paid alot for the new bowls.
So why do so many players now use narrow bowls?
I remember my first set of bowls, still have them for sentimental reasons. They were a set of Dunlop bowls that I could draw very well with. However at a singles championship day I was using them on a dry 17 second green with a fair cross wind. My bowls where traveling side ways over a rink and virtually impossible to judge the line as the bowl would turn a lot and the wind extenuated the rate and size of the draw. Naturally I got a good hiding possibly inexperience meant I didn't stick to the narrow side and had too nay unsuccessful up-shots. I realised that the bowls and the conditions combined where my downfall that day. Not that I would have necessarily won with other narrow bowls I would have been much more competitive on every end. This is because the is more predictable and travels a straighter line into the head on it's last third of it's journey. What this means is the bowl travels less distance out of the head. Poor bowls are not quite so bad as they would have been with normal bowls. Narrow bowls stay on their running surface longer and the profile of the bowl means there is more friction than a bowl continually falling of it's bias.
Of course great bowls can be play with conventional bowls but the most important points are;
Advantage of narrow bowls.
- Reduce the amount of error on the draw shots.
- Easier to draw under bowls and not travel too far out of the head.
- Weighted shots can be played with less weight. Bowl is then likely to stay in head.
- Still turn very well on >14second greens.
- Likely to pick up the jack cleanly as the bowl travels straighter in to head. (Don't rely on this one too often! Not many players can hit the jack on a draw shot.)
Disadvantages of narrow bowls.
- As mentioned they are a poor choice on slow, dead greens.
- Narrow bowls require careful weight control to avoid finishing too far through the head.
- Narrow bowls with a straight run will often go through a hole when a normal bowl will enter at a bigger angle and get a kind "in-off" result of another bowl.
- Makes it more difficult to draw around bowls. This is most important for a Third and Skip when the head maybe blocked.
In summary: Narrow bowls reduce the margin of error resulting in more effective bowls and less wasted bowls.
BOWLS BIOMECHANICS BASICS.
How can biomechanics help the average bowler and what are the main principles which are useful in the sport of lawn bowls? And more importantly what are some simple applications of these principles? Through the study of bowlers’ movements, biomechanics can greatly assist in analysing technique.
What is good technique?
Good technique is essential for consistent, successful bowling. This does not mean one model style must be learnt, as their are many successful ones, however there are a number of important basic principles in technique which should be evident in every successful bowler. These important elements can be targeted as the focus of practice sessions.
1
Minimal body movements in delivery action
2. Correct body position and alignment
3. Controlled pendulum swing
4. Slow delivery action
5. Smooth grassing of the bowl
What is considered good technique in some playing conditions may not be suitable in others. Players need to be versatile and adjust their technique to be successful for a variety of shots and in all conditions.
E.G. Fast green - small step, slow green - bigger step. Draw shot technique is different to the drive shot technique. Each has it’s own characteristics which assist in obtaining a reliable, consistent performance. It could be said that all good performers have a good technique!
These important technique requirements should be evident in every bowler.
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Smooth flowing movements |
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Natural balanced stance |
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Relaxed comfortable grip
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Effective aiming line method |
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Correct body alignment and arm swing
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Adjustment in delivery momentum i.e. weight control
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Smooth grassing of the bowl
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Warning: Do not assume your
technique is deficient due to poor results. Technique changes should be made
only if there are obvious technique errors, results are poor
and you believe in the need
for change.
Poor performance may be due to one or more of the following factors and not a technique problem.
· inadequate practice
· fatigue, heat exhaustion
· inability to cope with pressure. Anxiety causes muscle tension and poor application of technique. The result = bad delivery.
· technique is sound but mental skills, such as concentration, poor or confidence down.
Playing surface and wind
·
Friction caused by the playing surface will slow the bowl’s
rotation and the bowl will begin to tilt. This changes the running surface and
causes the bowl to turn. The rate of turn depends on the position of the centre
of gravity of the bowl and it’s profile i.e. the shape.
·
Unfortunately, your bowls will not have travel the same line all
the time due to the effect of friction and wind. Soft, wet surfaces will tend to
hold the bowl more vertical and result in a tighter line, with less draw. More
force is required to overcome the increase in friction and the larger friction
will cause the bowl to slow at a quicker rate. This causes difficult weight
control on heavy, slow greens, e.g. if
you take a bit of weight off, you finish eight foot short. Sound familiar?
Conversely on fast greens there is less friction and the bowl will
stay upright longer and travel further with the same force applied.
· In strong wind the bowls pathway can be effected. The bowls velocity can be increased with a tail wind and decreased with a head wind causing either the bowl to travel further or pull up short. A cross wind either holds the bowl more upright, resulting in a straighter run and a narrow hand, or accentuates the bias of the bowl which produces a wide drawing hand. The slower the rotation of a bowl the greater the effect caused by the wind. This is due to a decrease in the linear stability as the bowl slows and the increase in lateral movement.
Automated
performance
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grip |
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stance & balance |
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backswing |
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grassing bowl |
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weight and feel of delivery |
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follow through |
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watch result |
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prepare for next bowl |
PRACTICE
P ---Perseverance
R---Reputation
A---Assessment
C---Concentration
T---Technique
I---Inner mind
C---Consistency
E---Excellence
HOW DOES YOUR PRACTICE RATE?
Answer these questions to review your preparation.
Score 1 point for each question you answer yes. The more points the better your practice is.
1 . Do you usually practice alone?
2. Do you practice for longer then one hour?
3. Do you use practice worksheets?
4. Does a coach observe your session?
5. Do you plan your practice session before you arrive?
6. Is your practice session structured?, i.e. time allocated for each part
7. Do you practice more times each week than you play?
8. How many on-green practice sessions each week?
9. Do you have your technique videoed for evaluation?
HOW DO YOU RATE?
Professional attitude to achieving optimum performance
1. How often do you practice each week?
a) Once SCORE: 1 point
b) Twice 2 points
c) 3 times 3 points
d) 4 times 4 points
e) 5 times or more 5 points
2. Do you have a personal coach?
a) yes 3 points
b) no 0 points
3. How often do you receive help from a coach?
a) once a week 3 points
b) once a month 2 points
c) once a season 1 point
d) never 0 points
4. When you practice , do you practice,
a) with anybody 0 points
b) with a better bowler 1 point
c) with a coach 2 points
d) alone? 3 points
1. Do you have goals for the next year?
2. Do you have goals for off- season practice and lay?
3. Do you have goals for pre-season practice?
4. Do you have goals for each weekly competition?
5. Do you have goals for performance skills in games? e.g. draw shot consistency
6. Do you have goals for mental performance skills? E.g. concentration
7. Do you have goals for your delivery and technique?
8. Do you write your goals down?
9. Do you goals relate to your performance rather than outcomes (game results)?
10. Do you include set plays to practice e.g. place bowls in position at the head.
11. Do you use some sort of evaluation, measure, when you practice?
SUGGESTED PRACTICE SESSION
90 minutes. Preferably on your own or with a partner
10 minutes. 2 end roll up, warm up.
20 minutes. Delivery Draw shot. Mat and length the same. Play all bowls up and down the same side. Work on basic delivery style, footwork, swing , line grassing the bowl, follow through. Follow pre-shot routine each delivery. Develop touch and automation.
20 minutes. Draw shot variations. Various mat and jack positions, Alternate hands, position bowls, draw to the ditch, boundary etc..
20 minutes Use practice worksheets or game situations. Develop competitive ability. Focus on specific skill. e.g. trail shot, short ends with mat up, draw around bowls, drive
20 minutes. Weighted shots. Running shot and the drive
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skill testing |
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Evaluation.. video |
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weighted shots only session |
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game against team mates |
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rolling the jack |
10 TOP TIPS for BEGINNERS
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Consistent delivery = consistent outcomes
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Slow, controlled delivery is a must.
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Develop a shot delivery routine
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Feet position and balance are fundamental on every delivery.
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DO NOT cross the head with draw shots.
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Good weight control takes time to learn.
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Practice on your own as often as possible.
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Always practice both hands and leave the mat in the same position to improve grass line and weight control
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Leave weighted shots until later.