Self analysis of coaching session

Self-Analysis and Evaluation

My coaching session focused on driving towards the ball during a game of netball to create space and options down the court to enable clear and concise cutting towards a pass.

I originally would have liked to complete my coaching session on the indoor netball courts at the University of Canberra gym which I had planned as it would have been more quiet, safer and not dependent on the weather; however the courts were being used for other sports so I moved the session out to the outdoor netball courts and luckily the weather was perfect. I made sure that the environment was safe for the athletes; the court was dry and cleared of dangerous objects. I also made sure that there was water closely available for the athletes if they needed it.                                                                                                                                                                I found it a struggle to project my voice over the car and construction noises which were in the background and that when filming there were people walking in the background which may have been a distraction. Next time I will try and film the session in front of a background which is less busy and quieter. I thought the use of a whistle was effective as it provided structure during the session, enabled fluency and the athletes also knew exactly when to begin the drill and I was then able to know when the athlete was going to move so I could therefore concentrate on their footwork right from the beginning of their movement. I thought I gave the athletes continuous positive reinforcement as well as constructive criticism which is always an important role as a coach. When evaluating the video I was sometimes explaining drills outside of the shot and away from the athletes making it hard to see what I was explaining, this may be perceived as a lack of interaction and personalisation between the coach and the athletes. Future sessions I need to make sure that I am in close range of the athletes and can always be seen.                                                                                                                                                 Strategies for improving coaching in the future would be to provide the athletes with a more elaborate demonstration of each drill. Next time I will demonstrate driving towards the ball as I found in the video that I only demonstrated the required foot positioning needed within the drills but not the whole drill as a whole. For future coaching sessions I can improve by continuously asking the athletes for their input. I will not only ask the athletes for a self evaluation at the end of the session but also after every progression of the skill; this enables the athletes to recognise themselves, where they need improvement and when they have executed the skill. I can also try to watch the athletes complete the drills from behind and in front of them which I did not do within the video; this can give a more efficient idea of the athlete’s foot positioning which is crucial within this coaching session. To replicate the movements within an actual game of netball, to progress this coaching session and to challenge the athletes, the athletes could drive towards the ball from a further distance, also from a point closer to the ball and also from different angles to the ball.                                                                                                                                                                  Overall I believe the session was a success and the athletes executed the aims of the session, and most importantly both the athletes and I had a lot of fun.