19 APR 2024 · Reflecting on my conversation with Mike Jagacki and some of the thoughts it threw up!!

10 APR 2024 · This episode is another in my new series focussed on having conversations with people I don't 100% agree with. https://www.lockdownhoops.com/i joins me to explore the nuances of his basketball coaching philosophy which takes a 'best of both worlds' approach' trying to integrate ecological ideas with concepts from information processing.  Key Themes Discussed: - Balancing Coaching Styles: the importance of finding the right mix between structured and flexible coaching approaches. We delve into how aligning coaching philosophies within the staff and incorporating various styles can lead to optimal team performance. - Influence of Mentors and Philosophy Integration: The episode highlights how mentors have played a crucial role in shaping Mike's coaching beliefs and practices. We explore the significance of building a solid defensive foundation and how integrating different coaching philosophies enhances player capabilities. - Player Development Methodologies: Unpacking the balance between isolated skill drills and game-like contextual training, in fostering player growth. The focus is on the necessity of blending foundational skill-building with decision-making and real-game scenarios for effective skill transfer. - Dynamic and Adaptive Training: Training methods that are not only dynamic and adaptive but also encourage creativity. These methods aim to refine specific skills while ensuring they fit within a structured sports system. - Building Confidence and Teamwork: We examine the role of drills in fostering confidence, teamwork, and a positive player mentality. The episode also covers how pre-practice rituals can instill core values in players. - Overcoming Challenges and Instilling Core Values: From desensitizing players to fear and hesitation to the use of specific terminology for smooth transitions from individual skills to team play.  I enjoyed the conversation - I hope you do too. 

29 MAR 2024 · So this is a bit of a high risk podcast. I’m joined for my reflective time with Flo the dog by my wife Claire to talk about what it’s like to live with me!! She doesn’t hold back!! Hope you enjoy Link to my podcast with Jamie Edwards https://www.spreaker.com/episode/we-are-asking-young-people-to-climb-everest-wearing-a-pac-a-mac-a-conversation-or-is-it-a-chat-with-jamie-glue-shoes-edwards--17303481

22 FEB 2024 · Adrian Sapp is a basketball coach from Ontario in Canada. He runs a basketball programme called 'Eco Hoops' which states in it's mission statement... "EcoHoops, driven by a mission to transform youth basketball, places the utmost emphasis on nurturing the whole child. Central to our philosophy is the mental and emotional well-being of every young athlete, ensuring a positive, safe, and joy-filled basketball experience." I thought that I need to get Sdrian on to have a chat and explore his story. We delve into the following topics: - How Steph Curry is a product of envionemntal constraints. - Adrian's challenges to get parents and other coaches to embrace the appoach. - How discovering the ecological approach helped him go from being critical and miserable to engaging and joyful. - How learning about Growth Mindset from his child's school homework acted as the 'gateway' to an ecological worldview. Link to the https://ecohoopsdynamics.com/about Link to the https://twitter.com/eco_hoops I hope you enjoy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

14 FEB 2024 · Today, I am thrilled to welcome Phil Kearney back to the podcast. Phil is a renowned figure in the field of sports science, with a particular focus on skill acquisition and talent development. He brings a wealth of experience from his work as the course director for a master’s program in applied sports coaching at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Key Takeaways: - Impact of Coaches’ Beliefs: how coaches’ beliefs not only affect their coaching behaviors but also the transfer of life skills beyond the playing field. Phil underlines the necessity for coaches to critically assess their own beliefs and integrate evidence-based practices. - Theoretical Understanding in Coaching: Understanding various coaching theories, such as ecological dynamics, cognitive psychology, and game-based methods, is essential for effective practice. Phil emphasizes the need for coaches to be well-versed in these theories to enhance their coaching styles. - Professional judgement and decision making (PJDM) in coaching: we umpack this concept and debate it's value as a construct to support coaching practice. Hope you enjoy

7 FEB 2024 · In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of talent development within England Hockey by welcoming back Brett Holland and Sean Kitson, two previous podcast guests and who share their experiences and approaches to nurturing young talent in the sport of field hockey. Main Themes: - The shift from a centralised system to a more flexible, decentralized approach, recognizing the individuality of athletes’ development paths. - The challenges and benefits of non-linear athlete development, emphasizing the need for multiple entry points and pathways for young players. - The significance of customising coaching strategies to suit individual needs and the deliberate actions taken to enhance talent development. - A clear understanding of objectives across different environments, such as school clubs and junior academies. - Integration of competition into training as a means to measure progress and the importance of competition in sports overall. - The necessity for a collaborative effort in the talent development ecosystem, guided by a comprehensive talent system framework. I hope you enjoy

30 JAN 2024 · Jordan Cassidy (MSc) has worked across the globe since September 2013, from Ireland, to Hong Kong, to the UK, and now in Brisbane, Australia. He has worked all over the world in roles such as a sports scientist, athletic development coach, and physical education teacher. ​Jordan is currently conducting research in skill acquisition and coaching at Queensland University of Technology, while working as a coach and player development consultant for clubs and schools across Queensland. Jordan and I get together to discuss a https://www.skilledathleticism.com/post/towards-an-existential-crisis-the-pragmatic-skill-acquisition-scientist he wrote at his website https://www.skilledathleticism.com which I was keen to unpack and explore. There are some 'headscratchers' in the article for me that I was keen to understand more and see where our point of agreement was. I hope you see from this conversation that it is very possible to have different viewpoints and still have a productive conversation that moves our understanding further. I hope you enjoy.

18 DEC 2023 · Andrea Enrich popped by to chat about his new book, '50 tipe sof rintelligent players - Vol 2' It is brillient and full of really powerful insights for players of all invasion games. There are some specific elements to field hockey and stick based sports but most of it applies more generally. We talk about 'Leading like Michael Jackson' 'Rutuals are not superstitions' 'Using Video Intelligenly' 'Visualise tragendies not commedies' I hope you enjoy the conversation

24 NOV 2023 · A proper deep reflection about a massive failure trying to be child first with a large group and it’s impact on my interactions with a neurodiverse child that I am still reflecting on and trying to come to terms with!

20 OCT 2023 · Graeme McDowall holds an MPhil degree in Sports Coaching Education from the University of Birmingham. He is a lecturer at the SRUC in Scotland and an associate lecturer in Sport and Exercise with the Open University. Graeme is made a welcome return to the show to explore the opportunities and challenges of using 2 touch in training. But before we get to that, we discuss his thoughts on golf coaching, how we can create better experiences by learning from the creative approaches of musicians and also some of the key insights from his new book 'The System' which explores the history of Scottish football and what it means for player development today. Subscribe to Graeme's substack here https://mcdowall.substack.com/ Check out the new book https://amzn.to/3FsnEze Also check out Graeme's other book - https://amzn.to/3FKcQNn