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

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 approach

This conversation has a lot of theoretical heavy lifting in it but stick with it as it will be worth it.

Enjoy

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 development

This is a fascinating listen for all coaches working with any athletes of any ability.

Enjoy

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 you

And a whole lot more...

Hope you enjoy.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 play

I 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. 6-9

Critchell, M. (2012) Play to learn and learn to play. A fresh approach to coaching young players. (Contributing chapter and consultancy from Richard Cheetham). Reedswain. Spring City US.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 by becoming a supporter by heading over to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and clicking on the 'Become a patron' button at the top of the page.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 fascinating discussion and I am glad that the experiment pretty much worked out.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

All the best and remember #ditchthosedrills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to join the Conclave then there are some spots still available. Go to www.thetalentequation.co.uk and click on the 'Become a Patron' button at the top of the page.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.

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 level

Enjoy

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-talent-equation-podcast--2186775/support.