Recently, I visited South Dakota for two weeks. During that time I gave two clinics. I would like to explain in detail what I did.
- My first clinic was what might be called a "chalk talk" clinic. Normally this kind of clinic is conducted in front of a chalkboard where the coach writes on the board, erases the notes, and writes some more. This has difficulties for the audience. Listen or write. Both cannot be done.
- I try to avoid that by using chart paper. Then at the end of the session I can hand the paper with all the notes and diagrams to the audience to reproduce for their own purposes. Not mine.
- My second clinic was in a large gym. I trained two teams of young girls. Each player had a ball. The slick surface was difficult to deal with. But we got on with it. At my age the process was slow but to the satisfaction of the participants. I stopped frequently to correct movement by the young players. I showed the players what to do in terms of the individual work. We worked together. I went from group to group to help.
What am I leading up to? Let us review:
- With the first group I spoke and left a written message-the chart paper. All participants were able to share my message. It was written and diagramed. I left my chart paper notes with the club.
- The second clinic was in a gym. At the end of the clinic, the coaches said that my clinic was like a video tape. With a difference. I gave a demonstration and then helped individual players. After the clinic, the coaches told me that I was just like a video coach.
What is the point? For me a big point. In fact two big points.
- The first point is that when clinics are run there must be printed paper, or something else to hold on to. Anything. But visible.
- The second point is that there needs to be an interaction between the coach and the player. Combine the two.
Now what did I do? I spoke with chart paper which I left for the coaches . Then I gave a demo where I participated with the players. Wow!
Let us review.
- I gave a clinic where I left evidence of what I had done. The chart paper. Now the coaches had something to hold on to. And they could write to me and ask questions.
- Then I gave a clinic where I stepped out of the video frame to correct the progress of individual players. They watched me and tried to duplicate what I did with the ball.
The major point is that I interacted with the coaches and the players. I did a "chalk talk" lesson that lasted for two and one half hours. There is evidence of the session with the chart paper.
With the second session, I followed a tape, a video tape, not exactly, because I stepped out of the video to help the individual player when needed.
For me this is the real thing. A real live coach, not a video tape, a coach. The real thing. I can stop the action and correct. I can add a diagram and explain it. I can stop the action. Do you have the message ? Get live people to give the lessons. Stop. Ask questions. Do it again. What ever. I hate videos and printed messages. Get the real thing. People who know what is going on.
Alan Maher
Send your questions/comments to:
Maher's Message
828 E. Portland Ave.
Fresno, Ca. 93720
