In parts I, II, III and IV I presented the fact that it is impossible to see what occurs in execution of a sport skill, in the power phase, the most critical phase for success in skill execution. In addition, most coaches do not have the backgrounds needed to understand what takes place, or should take place, during skill execution in the sports that they coach.
As a result coaches or instructors are not capable of making important adjustments or corrections in technique to improve the player’s performance. In addition, they cannot create specialized exercises, also known as “dynamic correspondence” exercises that unite technique with development of the physical qualities.
These exercises are the key to making the adjustments that are needed. They improve the athletes technical and physical abilities that allow them to execute the action the way it must be done. Thus, correcting these deficiencies can go a long way to improving the performance of athletes on all levels, including the professional level, enabling them to achieve their full potential.
Thus foremost in changing the present situation is to have coaches learn more about skill technique, especially how it can be improved. In addition, we need more university professors studying and teaching skill technique. They should be the experts in technique and teach it to future coaches or specialists who will work with the teams. Sadly, there is a trend toward just the opposite.
Sports skill technique and sports technique analysis is rarely offered on the university level and there are now fewer professors who believe that this topic is even important or relative to the field of kthisinesiology and biomechanics. Keep in mind that Kinesiology was formerly known as Physical Education.
The name was changed to make physical education appear to be more scientific but there was no significant change in the curriculum. For most of the 1900s physical education majors were typically athletes or students who wanted to be involved in the athletic world. Today however, the number of athletes enrolled in kinesiology is very low and in many cases, nonexistent.
As a result the focus of the new kinesiology major was not on becoming a sports coach or teaching physical education. Today it is very diversified and sports technique and technique analysis is often considered irrelevant. But the need for specialists in the area of technique and technique analysis is very real and crucial.
Without technique specialists who are also well grounded in development of the related physical abilities, we will continue on the same pathway thinking that we are improving game performance without improving skill performance. But yet, how well the athlete can execute the skills of his sport the better the player he will be and the better will be the team performance.
Instead of seeing better game play we are seeing more mediocre performances. To remedy this situation most coaches believe that player improvement or player development depends upon teaching strategy. This of course is important and can make a player look better. However, the best strategy in world is of little value if the players cannot execute the skills needed to carry out the strategy!!
Present day coaches can still continue doing what they are doing. However they would be able to do a much better job if they had a specialist on the team who could analyze, correct and adjust a player’s skill execution. They can work together with the aim of improving the athletes’ capabilities and making than better performers. Coaches should not look upon such specialists as competitors trying to take their jobs away, but as colleagues working toward a common goal.
If we wish to have better athletes who can rise up to the increasing demands for high-level performance on the world scene, we must develop technique specialists. Only then will we see improved athletic performance and development of higher level players who will be able to maintain U.S. status in the Olympic and World games.
For more information on technique and the role it plays in development of high level players, see Build a Better Athlete and Sports: Is It All BS?