Modeling Technique
Using John Wooden's process to improve our players' technical skills
The following has been taken from the Third Principle of Good Coaching.
John Wooden was a great coach. While his reign at UCLA ended almost 5 decades ago, thanks to the research done by Ronald Gallimore and Roland Tharp, we are still able to see the techniques he employed to improve his players. One of these techniques, used so often it’s been dubbed a “Wooden,” follows a three step process:
Demonstrate the correct way to perform a skill.
Imitate the incorrect way the athlete performed the skill.
Demonstrate the correct way one more time.
Young players learn best through observation and imitation so use that to your advantage. When they inevitably make mistakes, we need to seize the moment and show them what to do differently.
Before using a Wooden with young players, make sure you have their attention by saying their name and give them a specific moment in the technique to focus on.
An example: Mia is kicking the ball with her toe instead of dribbling with the top of her foot.
Step 1: “Mia, watch this for a second. Pay attention to where my toe is pointed.”
Step 2: “My toe is pointed down and I’m pushing the ball with the top of my foot.”
Step 3: “This is what you were doing: Kicking the ball with your toe pointed straight forward.”
Step 4: “I want you to try this: Keep your toe pointed down and push the ball with the top of your foot.”
That’s it. It’s a clean and simple process which allows you to give information succinctly and gives players more time to spend practicing.