Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), developing leaders, dealing with adversity and lessons from Born a Crime (46)
This week, we look at some of the things that crept up in practice, my reflections on them and revisit the constraints-led approach to coaching.
Welcome back to this week’s edition of The Final Whistle!
A stressful week of coaching amidst a double-header weekend. I’m typing this up whilst we’re on the road to play this evening. On the second screen, I have a different game open as I’m multi-tasking, prepping the scout.
We lost to UBSC Graz last weekend. Despite their short rotation, we struggled. We actually started the game really well and were in control, but started to lose grip and couldn’t get hold of the reins again.
As the saying goes, “the show must go on!”. Our performance in that last game inspired the article below.
Let’s dive into this week’s edition of the Final Whistle!
📚 This Week’s Book Summary: Born a Crime
by Trevor Noah
Trevor shares his journey and talks about how he turned his pain into purpose, showing how humour, self-awareness, and inner strength can transcend division and shape leaders.
💻 Weekly Article: Developing Leaders
As I’m noticing a clear need for leadership in our team, I am working with some of our younger guys (U19 players & also young BSL players) to help them develop the skills they need to one day lead.
This is an underrated aspect of development when it comes to player development. A lot of times, we just tend to chalk it down to whether they are born a leader, but I believe that this is a skill that can be developed.
💻 Bonus Article: Unpacking the CLA
An area that I have been more conscious of is varying the practice environment, so that our players can develop adaptability.
The constraints-led approach to coaching is a methodology that has gained steam for its use of constraints in shaping behaviours in a dynamic environment that fosters creativity. If you haven’t heard of it, it is definitely worth a read.
💬 Quote of the Week:
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for life, but give him a fishing rod, and he can feed generations.”
This is my personal coaching philosophy.
Not exactly these words, but this mindset of developing players who can thrive without me. The idea of teaching them the skills that they need to be able to move on.
After all, isn’t that what life is about?
Primary teachers prepare their students for life after primary school. Secondary school teachers prepare their students for life after secondary school, and parents prepare their kids for how to survive once they leave the safety of their home.
That’s how I look at my coaching - am I providing my players with the skills they need to be able to thrive after they leave my team?
🎯 Takeaways from Born a Crime (by Trevor Noah)
This doesn’t have the usual coaching takeaways as previous book summaries, but I really love the idea of using language as a communication bridge.
One thing that I’ve discovered through my journey coaching is that the quicker you can adapt and relate to the culture, the quicker you can connect. It is not just about coming in and telling teams and players to do things the way that you want to.
Coaching is about connecting and developing trust - from then on, you can work together to build something great. Language is a great way to do this.
💻 Final Article: Enhancing Performance
The final article this week takes a deeper dive into how constraint manipulation can shape athlete behaviours.
Enhancing Performance: The Role of Constraint Manipulation in Sports Coaching
“The process of problem-solving is more beneficial for retention and transfer than simply repeating solutions to a problem!”
Included in this article are the challenges that I faced when I first started coaching through constraints.
Thanks for being part of our community!
I’m using the newsletter as a way to share my thoughts, insights, experiences and ideas with those around me. If you would like to see something else, let me know so that I can include it in future newsletters.
Best,
Nabil Murad