What if? The use of scenario-based training
What if?
The use of scenario-based training
Using game-based coaching allows you to practice scenarios and game-management – something that can and will make a difference on game-day, at any level. John Terry mentioned this in an interview after a successful night in the Champions League Knockout stages last season. Terry let us into Chelsea's training schedule in the build up to the game, and how Jose Mourinho had setup multiple scenarios so that the team had practiced almost every possible outcome prior to the game itself. It’s therefore no surprise how they calmly managed the game in their favour….they had done it many times before in training!
Clive Woodward talks about similar in his book, providing insight into his and England's successful World Cup Campaign in 2003. The World Cup Final, when England lifted the trophy, was the first, ever final to go to extra-time. It had never happened before so what were the odds of it happening this time? Woodward and his team, ignored the odds and not only prepared for it but had practiced playing out extra time. They had even practiced how they could manipulate the ball in the last seconds to allow Wilkinson the best opportunity to win with a kick for goal. It's no coincidence, they knew what to do when they were faced with it. The truth is they had faced that scenario many times before....in training!
Woodward discusses a concept he calls T-CUP (Total Control Under Pressure), something which Woodward describes as an essential to success. Pressure is a perception, often created in situations where a person feels unable to take control or unsure of what they should do. Having a player sent off in an important Champions a League game or playing out the last two minutes of extra time in the World Cup Final are two situations that may create those feelings and therefore create the feeling of pressure. As pressure is an emotion, it blurs your focus and can negatively impact on decision making and therefore your performance. The ability to control these feelings and reduce the feeling of pressure, can be the difference between winning and losing at the top level.
The two examples given above, show how a coach can empower players to be able to deal with this pressure. In both examples, the players have worked through various situations and what they could do to overcome the problem if it arose within the game. They also have felt that uncomfortable-feeling, when things 'are going against them.' The key is that they have experienced these things before the game itself, they have an understanding of strategies they can employ, they know that they will uncomfortable perhaps, they know it won't be easy - nothing comes as a surprise to the players. No surprises = Total Control. The players can just implement a different strategy to meet the situation they find themselves in.
Without this practice in training, when players come up against a situation in a game, the situation is a new experience for them. They haven't had the opportunity to practice how to overcome this problem in a learning environment (i.e. training), and so have to try and work this out when the stakes are high = the feeling of pressure, the reduction in performance.
How often do we expect our players to manage a situation in a game? Do we give them the opportunity to practice that situation in training?
Summary
Use scenarios within your training to allow players to learn how to manage a game and all the aspects that may arise within it.
Make use of odd numbers at training to let players to practice playing with and against an overload.
Set a score in your small sided game and let your players create a strategy to win, or perhaps 'see out a game' i.e. hold onto a draw or a slim lead
Set the challenge so both teams have a realistic task; e.g. the Reds are 2-1 down and need to draw, the Blues are 2-1 up and need to win,12 minutes plus added on time to play.
Develop players who understands the 'game' and stages within it - ask questions such as "When in a game would you do that....?"