The Talent Equation Podcast

Dan Peterson and Len Zaichowsky PhD have written a great book called 'The Playmaker's Advantage' that is full of practical information backed up by scientific research to help coach to create environments that will foster the creative abilities of young athletes. Dan has a background in the technology industry but he is a passionate sports parent and has worked really hard with Len to make the science accessible and usable for coaches and parents alike. I think you will agree that they have done a great job!! The book is available for pre order at the link below. http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Playmakers-Advantage/Leonard-Zaichkowsky/9781501181863

Andrew Wilson is a researcher from Leeds Beckett University in the UK who co writes about his research in a fascinating blog 'Notes from two scientific psychologists' http://psychsciencenotes.blogspot.com In this fascinating and insightful conversation Andrew and I explore various aspects of Ecological Psychology and try to apply them to real world problems in coaching. We explore the following: - The difference between affordances and information - Why "context isn't noise...it is signal"- How information is the key to effective transfer - Why motor control researchers are to blame for the lack of understanding of the ecological approachThis conversation has a lot of theoretical heavy lifting in it but stick with it as it will be worth it. Enjoy

Simon Robinson is a basketball coach working with athletes with intellectual disabilities. In this fascinating discussion he explains why a constraints led methodology is essential for him to effectively help these individuals learn and improve. In this podcast we discuss...- The challenges of working with athletes from different cultures and different levels of impairment- How the developmental history of athletes can get in the way of their improvement- How he manages the challenge point so as not of create too much mental and emotional strain- How modifications to children's sport could really help their later developmentThis is a fascinating listen for all coaches working with any athletes of any ability. Enjoy

Phil Kearney is a researcher, lecturer and coach. He is based at the University of Limerick in Ireland and is one of the 'Great Triumvirate' of Irish skill acquisition leaders along with Ed Coughlan and Olly Logan. In this episode we really dig into some of the research behind skill acquisition and its application including...- Looking at Fundamental Movement Skills in a different way- The limited transfer that comes from low variability movements - Understanding the 'dose requirement of skill acquisition - How the constraints based approach can help to develop practices that will do the teaching for youAnd a whole lot more...Hope you enjoy.

Richard Cheetham MBE (aka @twowheelprof on Twitter) is Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester in the UK. His research focus centres on a more holistic approach to coaching with time spent since 2013 at Saracens RFC within the Academy programme and at Fulham Football Club. In this conversation we cover a LOT of ground including...- Richard's approach to developing creativity in players and also in coaches - How play should have a a bigger place in coaching session (for children and adults!!)- How to create effective warm ups- Is your coaching like 'pick and mix' or like 'cod liver oil' - The 4 parameters of playI certainly got a lot out of this discussion so I know you will too.Enjoy!!Some articles related to the discussion...Cheetham, R.J. (2012). The Importance of Creativity and Innovation In Coaching: Possibilities and Implications for Performance. The Journal of Cycle Coaching 2. 6-9Critchell, M. (2012) Play to learn and learn to play. A fresh approach to coaching young players.

Happy 4th of July to all of my American listeners!! It seems only fitting that we have one of America's favourite sports featured on the show this week so I invited someone from the NBA to come on and have a chat.Alex Sarama is the Head of Basketball Operations for the NBA across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is responsible for making sure that young people get to experience basketball and uses the power of the NBA brand to engage them in the sport. His passion for helping young people to achieve their potential shines through loud and clear in this conversation as Alex asks me to explore the challenges of adopting non linear, constraints led coaching approaches within his sport and how he might encourage others to embrace the concepts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As always, if you would like to support the show please consider leaving a review in your favourite podcatcher, by telling your friends and colleagues about it or b

Paul Bell is the national coach for Scottish Squash. He is an extremely thoughtful and engaging individual that reached out to me while I was at the UK Coaching Conference to see if we could have a chat over a coffee. 90 minutes later we had covered a lot of ground. Paul's story is fascinating...he has become a national coach at a relatively young age mostly through determination, hunger and a willingness to do anything to help him improve and develop.His commitment to learning and helping his athletes improve comes shining through and his willingness to share the discussion with the world speaks volumes about his commitment to behaviours that foster improvement and openness. I hope you enjoy it.

Juan Gonzalez-Mendia from www.sudamericacoaching.com is a coach and coach developer that is working to bring non linear approaches to South America. He works with schools, clubs, provincial associations and national governing bodies to help them to embrace player centred development philosophies and approaches. In this episode we explore...- The issues that people have with embracing non linear approaches - How to help a boss or leader to recognise that they need external support to improve their teams coaching- The challenges that he faces in developing coaches that are resistant to change (we have a little but of fun role playing this)It is a fascinating conversation and a great insight as to how the ecological approach is spreading across the globe. Enjoy- How

At the Talent Equation we like to innovate and try new things. In keeping with this spirit of innovation this week's episode is a bit of an experiment. Rob Gray from www.perceptionaction.com and The Perception Action Podcast stopped by for a chat and was game enough to allow me to include a live (virtual) studio audience in the shape of members of my private mastermind group 'The Conclave'.This is a great (and long overdue) conversation where Rob talks with me and also takes questions from members of the group. In the episode we cover: - Some of Rob's latest research into the relative effectiveness of different learning approaches in coaching. - Why the Constraints Led Approach is not like an 'all you can eat' buffet. - Some of the challenges of researching in this area brought on by limitations in experimental approaches - His call for more coaches to share their 'field notes' of the 'experiments' that they are conducting.- Rob's thoughts on some of the real world problems that coaches are facing. It's a fa

Brett Holland is a self confessed coaching geek!! He is a full time coach at one of the most prestigious sporting universities in the UK and he has one of the best jobs in the world!In this conversation we explore his methods, philosophy and approaches and get under the hood of his experiences as a coach both positive and negative.Our discussions include: - His 4 principles for creating an inclusive and progressive environment- How he approaches the psychological side of development - How he gets player feedback to improve his programme- How he manages 'the team behind the team' to provide 'unrivalled holistic support'This was a great discussion and one that is full of takeaways for any coach working at any levelEnjoy-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you value this content and would like to support the continued production of the blog and the podcast then please consider becoming a Patron 

Mark Upton is a professional people developer. I say that he is a 'people developer' because even though the bulk of his work is with coaches. He also works with a range a people across the sporting landscape and is now supporting sports bodies with their organisational development. Mark's extensive experience and wealth of knowledge really come through in this wide ranging conversation where we cover topics as diverse as: - Why he thinks SMART objectives are garbage- How he uses representative learning design in coach development activity- How he uses 'destabilisation' to develop opportunities for learning- His latest thoughts on the Constraints Led Approach and Ecological DynamicsAnd a whole lot more...I really home you enjoy this as much as I did. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you would like to support the Talent Equation Podcast then please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast player or sharing it with your fri

Jason deVos likes a challenge! He also doesn't give up until he achieves his goals!! He is an object lesson in GRIT, Growth Mindset, Resilience...and all that stuff!! Not only does he come back from being dropped by his provincial football team at age 12 to captain his country. He gives up a lucrative job as a TV pundit to become the Head of Football Development at Canada Soccer. This is a man who is committed to helping people succeed and he will do his level best to making Canadian Soccer the best it can be. In this conversation we discuss...- What his Dad said to him on the long drive back from the trials where he was told he wasn't going to progress. - His blueprint for improving the environment for children in Canadian soccer clubs- How he want's to make the system in Canada more challenging for players rather than having a 'culture of entitlement'- His plans to change the coach development system in Canadian soccer. - My thoughts on how he could do some of these things. I hope you enjoy. ---------------

James Vaughan is a coach at the AIK Academy in Sweden. He is a colleague of Mark O'Sullivan and Dennis Hortin (both previous podcast guests) and is a regular contributor to the fantastic website 'Player Development Project'. James has a rich background as a coach and as a researcher and has been fortunate to study under the guidance of some of the leading academics in the field of skill acquisition, constraints led coaching and games based coaching. In this episode we delve into creativity and explore the way that social and cultural constraints influence the way we think, feel and act when trying to lead the development of young people in sport. It is an illuminating and in depth conversation. In the episode we discuss...- Why Brazilian culture emphasises skill - How Barcelona differs from Stockholm in the way they view human development- Myths about talent and creativity - How James applies constraints to influence positive, creative action rather than minimising errorGet your notebook ready!!If you would l

Mark Bennett is back! He's been off travelling the world working with professional sports teams and community clubs. PDS is taking off in a big way!! In this podcast we cover a LOT of ground reflecting on the challenges of adopting a truly athlete centred approach to coaching. Topics of discussion include: - Why most coaches look at the wrong things in training. - Why saying nothing is not athlete centred- Why reflection doesn't work (very well most of the time)- How to identify the areas to work on that are going to bring the biggest return on investment - How coaches are using questioning in a way that is no better than telling- Using the 'Rule of 3' to develop a positive culture in sessionsAnd SO much moreEnjoy!!

Mark O'Sullivan is back fresh from his global travels and work to write a PhD!! As always, Mark isn't short of a few thoughts on the state of play in coaching and sport for children. In this conversation we delve into...- How 'culturally resilient beliefs effect us all and can limit our effectiveness if we aren't aware of them- How 1 v 2 can bring about a world of development opportunities- Why he tries to make his coaching sessions feel like a skate park- Why working towards 'ideal technical models' can be harmful for children- Why he feels that his coaching approach is like being a sculptor or painterEnjoy If you want to support the show please leave a review or become a hero and head over to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click on the 'become a patron' button at the top of the page.

David Hinchliffe likes a challenge. He is a full time cricket coach in Glasgow, Scotland. One of the rainiest cities in the UK. He is also an example of adaptability and resilience, often coaching in sub zero temperatures with groups of youngsters in his unheated indoor centre. In this conversation we discuss:- Why you never say to David "I just want to hit balls"- How to use the constraints led approach in a sport like cricket which often demands technical input- How he creates contextualised learning experiences in artificial environments - Why he doesn't do "standard nets"Hope you enjoy

I got together with friends of the show Ed Coughlan and Shawn Myszka to reflect on the recent movement and skill acquisition conferences that they ran on either side of the Atlantic. As you would expect, it was a great conversation that meandered all over the place as they guys tried to make sense of the various things that they took away from the events. I just sat back and enjoyed the ride...I hope you do too!!

Ken Martel is the Technical Director at USA Hockey (ice not field!!) and has been leading change in the development of the sport of Ice Hockey across the USA for over a decade. His passion and commitment to make the experience for young people as good as it can be shines through in the conversation. Areas we discuss include: - How Ice hockey went from being a sport where 60% of kids quit by age 11 to a sport that now has a 90% retention rate. - How they developed their player development framework, the 'American Development Model'. - How the principles of Non-Linear Pedagogy are embedded in their development programmes - The challenges they faced in implementing the framework and working with volunteer coaches- Some ideas about how to develop movement agility while keeping perception and action coupled. Its a great conversation, hope you enjoy

Amy Price is a football coach that is fascinated by games. She lectures on coaching at St Mary's University and is studying for a PhD on the topic of the application of the learning principles associated with video games as applied to sport. This conversation really got me thinking...we discovered that we were both using games in our coaching but we were coming from very different theoretical perspectives. It was really interesting and you will hear us both struggling to come to terms with it. In this episode you will hear us exploring: - Using a 'sandbox' to eliminate risk- Using a 'fishtank' to develop technique - Why games promote learning by providing meaning - The 4 C's of mission based learning - Why the whole concept of 'ball mastery' is missing a trickEnjoy!!

Steve Hooper is the owner and head coach at 'Inclusion Coaching', A football coaching organisation that is committed to enabling children to learn through a games based approach. It is fair to say that Steve's education as a coach has been a trial. At many stages he has had setbacks but each of those setbacks have served to define him as a coach. It is the very definition of 'non linear coach development' and serves to highlight all of the things that still need to be improved in coach education. In this episode we cover...- How Steve had to bite his lip to pass the UEFA B course - The challenge he faces with the 'perception of non coaching'- Is the games based approach is the equivalent of junk food?- The ultimate measure of whether the games based approach works or not......and much moreEnjoyhttp://www.inclusioncoaching.co.uk