WYC 121 – Developmental Stages – Jennifer Duval talks Youth Golf; Performance Routines

Jennifer Duval has been a Class A member with the LPGA T&CP; Division for over 10 years. During that time, she has continued to evolve as an instructor. She was among the first to acquire her Master certification as a Level 3 Golf Fitness Professional; and most recently, became a Level 2 Junior Certified Coach with Titleist Performance Institute. She has a passion for learning and is a regular attendee at the World Golf Fitness Summit. She believes firmly in coaching not only the technical skills of the game; but, also the physical requirements demanded by the sport, the mental skillsets needed and the emotional resilience necessary to play 'consistent' golf.

Website: mytpi.com

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Quote

'The first thing I learned was to hit it hard nevermind where it went' - Jack Nicklaus

Coaching your own kid

Instead of advising them, do an 'experiment' to coach them without being too direct

Remember modeling is a key point at the younger age

 Cringe Moment

Spewing too much technical info early on

Different is OK - there isn't a cookie-cutter swing

Be patient - learning is frustrating, don't rush it

Long Term Athlete Development

Develop the athlete as a whole vs. just specific to your sport

MYTPI.com - Titleist program

Kids under 18 have significant changes and development going on - Teach them correct body movements

One-sided sports (golf, baseball) - bodies need a break and to develop different muscles

Mental toughness 

Develop a performance routine: (taken from Vision 54 at vision54.com/html/mygame-thinkbox.html)

A think box - when you are thinking through what you are going to do

A play box - Stop thinking and start acting. If visual - stare at a dimple on the ball. If you're auditory - listen to a plane overhead. If you're kinesthetic - focus on your grip pressure, make it a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.

2 outcomes to every shot: 1 - Where did the ball go (often can't control); 2 - Did I stay focused on what I was focused on (I can control)

Body language and self-talk: Do a funny skit with some of the other coaches, exemplifying different mental approaches. Have the kids then practice: Hit 10 shots where think negative thoughts after each. Then hit 10 where you are neutral. Then hit 10 where you think of a positive thought after each.

Each kid keep a notebook/recipe book. Write something after each practice and round about what they learn.

Windows of Opportunity

Sensitive periods (learn more at canadaiansportsforlife.ca):

Boys 6-9 then 13-16; Girls 4-7 then 11-13: When you are growing fast, train fast

When in growth spurt, there body is awkward. Speed training and mobility is key.

Boys 9-12 then 14-18; Girls 7-10 then 12-16: Growth rest periods: better time to develop skills.

'The first thing I learned was to hit it hard never mind where it went' - Jack Nicklaus

Great drills for re-developing movement patterns

Milo Bryan - No Bull Fit - Awesome drills

Connecting with and impacting kids

Jennifer taught a class of kindergartners and started out asking: 'Who here is an athlete?' - a lot of the kids didn't raise their hand. She told them 'Today you are going to be an athlete' and when she asked the same question in the next class, a bunch of the kids who hadn't raised their hands initially were now raising their hands.