Dr. Ed Coughlan: Why coaches shouldn’t repeat the ‘same play from the same place with the same rules and conditions’

Practice | Activities | Peter Glynn | 13.04.21

Coaches should avoid repeating practice scenarios from the ‘same place with the same rules and conditions’ if they want activities to stay realistic to the game, says Dr.Ed Coughlan. Image: iStock/Vgajic

Learning: 

-       How to ensure ‘variability’ in scenario-based practice activities

-       Using a self-imposed time limit before intervening in scenario-based practices

-       The dangers in trying to perfect a certain practice scenario

Coaches should avoid repeating practice scenarios from the ‘same place with the same rules and conditions’ if they want activities to stay realistic to the game, says Dr.Ed Coughlan, skill acquisition expert and Senior Lecturer at Munster Technological University.

“The most common things we see with scenario play is coaches don't let a scenario finish out,” says Coughlan, who works as a coach, coach educator and mentor across a number of different sports, including football.

 “Number two, coaches interrupt too soon if they feel the scenario isn’t going the way they wanted it to go.