In my first blog I discussed the importance of quietening your conscious mind on the field to allow your subconscious mind to take over and enable you to execute skills and techniques you have learned. There are many techniques you can use to assist with your mental clarity in football games. … [Read more...] about Ssshhh. Quiet in There!
Rollercoasters and Contracts
In last week's blog I talked about how the 'Honeymoon is Over' and how tired the students are getting. We now start to enter into what I like to call the deep learning stage. If we were to look at the college term as a roller coaster ride (as our project is about this topic) the start of the … [Read more...] about Rollercoasters and Contracts
It’s about Team Work
Last Thursday IFS held its inaugural swimming carnival. During the day Julie Doolan made the remark, “We’re not only a land-based sports college, are we?” How true. I was taken by the fact that we have a college of fit, healthy and athletic young people, most of whom would be successful in whatever … [Read more...] about It’s about Team Work
Time for a Pep Talk
There are two people who express what I want to say this week, so much better than I could. Please take a moment to watch and reflect... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel … [Read more...] about Time for a Pep Talk
Player or Points?
Pre-season is upon us and with it comes a sudden increase in workload on players. It's the beginning of a new year and coaches are trying their best to get their teams ready for the season, with fitness training and trial games. Rather than a steady increase in training and game duration, however, … [Read more...] about Player or Points?
My Philosophy of Education.
Reflecting on my final portfolio I had written at university, I questioned myself once again, "What is my educational philosophy?" Are you ready, because I could go on and on and on. My philosophy as an educator is to facilitate learning and encourage students to engage in a community of inquiry. … [Read more...] about My Philosophy of Education.
More swimmers in the house, please
‘Houses’ play an important role in a college’s history and student life. In many cases, each house is named after a historical figure, saint, famous alumni or notable regional landmark. Other more arbitrary names – animal names or colours, for example – are also often used. In time, IFS students … [Read more...] about More swimmers in the house, please
Compare the pair.
In my last blog, The coach who cried WULF!, I attached the first half of a presentation that I had prepared for our weekly coach education meeting. This week, I have decided that instead of providing the whole presentation, I would divide it into four parts and discuss one point at a time. Do you … [Read more...] about Compare the pair.
Teams, Teamwork and Team Spirit
Teams, teamwork, and team spirit. What do these words really mean? Are they as important in the classroom as they are in sport? After a little research I came up with the following definitions: A team is a group of people working together with a common goal. Forming teams seems obvious in … [Read more...] about Teams, Teamwork and Team Spirit
May the power of 10% be with you
Congratulations to the courageous individuals, Nathaniel and Maureen, who provided a solution to the question in my last blog - Nathaniel for his 'bald' answer and Maureen for showing working and justifying her solution. My only feedback, as we are aiming for excellence, is that the question … [Read more...] about May the power of 10% be with you