Hotspot Super 6 Challenge – Video

MAKE IT COUNT WITH HOTSPOT!

http://soccerpirrs.com/education/software-and-programs/spirrs-product-watch-hotspot/

So what really struck me the most was the knowledge, dedication and passion of the coaches on the ground. Every single one who visited the stand (quite a few I can tell you) really wanted to see what the HotSpot had to offer and how it could help their sessions and ultimately their teams.

The level of conversation I had with each one was at a far higher level than I have experienced in this country – the discussion started with the obvious need for agility and movement training in sport, in this case soccer. By the time they had left the stand they had thanked me for my time in talking with them and demonstrating the system and all its features. And for me after 3 days of demonstrating it on my own, my thighs and calves certainly felt it!

I was lucky to be able to attend a few key note sessions, the most notable with Shad Forsythe – Head Fitness trainer for the German National Football team. He gave a great field session on simple plyometrics and its relevance to soccer (football!) I was fortunate to be able to chat with him afterwards about fitness and agility training in soccer. What this confirmed was what Mike and I strongly believe, namely that fundamental movement skills and agility training are the cornerstone of developing young athletes into great sportsmen and women. It also reassured me that my style of football coaching with my U10 Sabres which has a heavy emphasis on agility and movement skills is exactly right – Shad feels that an hour fifteen session with developing athletes should comprise at least 30mins conditioning and agility without a ball in sight – Sabres your coach is right!

Another great conversation I had was with Scott Moody of the SoccerFit Academy. He is a strong believer in breaking down the components of any athletic game and dedicating training sessions to these specific areas. He spent some time with the HotSpot and could see that the system can really help with the acquisition of movement skills and at the elite end be able to measure activities that previously haven’t been measured.

So all in all a great show! For me the only question that remains is closer at heart…. Why is it that USA coaches really seem to get the whole movement training and agility aspects of sports coaching and yet in the UK if the training doesn’t involve a ball or a racquet then people seem very reluctant to listen? And this is not just at elite level but permeates right through every level of US sport.

Here endeth the lesson! Answers on a postcard or via this site!

http://www.gameseducation.co.uk/images/webgraphics/295.pdf

Make it Count – Team Hotspot

Well firstly, the UK is not the rest of the world and let’s face we have to do stuff differently due to the culture of the country.  With that said perhaps mini tennis is the way forward.

Mini Tennis Videos

WARM UP

PAIR DRILLING

POINT PLAY AGAINST THE COACH

MATCHPLAY

In the past people (including me) have been critical of mini tennis as it hasn’t been adopted across the rest of the world (until recently) and that other countries have managed to produce world class tennis players the “good old fashioned way”.

Well firstly, the UK is not the rest of the world and let’s face we have to do stuff differently due to the culture of the country.  With that said perhaps mini tennis is the way forward.

The issues were that actually the message wasn’t delivered down to the coach force effectively enough and potentially a lot of the progressive nature of mini tennis from a coaching perspective was missed and lost.

In all fairness it has taken me a while to come the full circle to really embracing mini tennis particularly “red”.  Just to recap there is a type of ball (the really squishy ones are LTA recommended), size of racket and court.  These adaptations are to suit players from 3 years old to 8 years old and within the development there is beginner to advanced.  One way I look at it is put yourself on a red court and if your 7/8 year old’s can compete hard against you then they are reaching the top of mini red.  (I will be adding some videos of my players over the weekend).

For me the one variable that remains the same within mini tennis is the court.  The ball and racket can change (within reason) and players can fully develop their skill set.  For example, using a variety of “mini red” balls from sponge balls, of which there are a variety of grades to mini red hard balls can develop a host of skills that a mini red player needs. Similarly racket size can also be altered from the starter rackets that a just a bit bigger than a table spoon to a 25 inch weapon.  The key is to have a clear idea of what it is you are trying to achieve.

Teaching opportunities are endless in mini tennis red from simple “over and in” tactics to “bailey method” footwork patterns.  Everything in the game is available within mini tennis the difference is that it is all accessible by the mini red player also. Something to consider…do they have efficient, professional technique?  can they hit a variety of shots from different court positions?  do they understand attack, build/rally and defend and demonstrate this within points play?  Can they serve to different positions, exploiting weaknesses and developing a favourite serve?  If the answer is no to this then the player can still learn in mini red.  If yes then they have developed a great skill set physically, mentally, technically and tactically have great foundations to reach their potential as a tennis player all at the age of 8!.

With the development of 2 players in particular at my club (videos to follow) has really shown me the powers of mini tennis red.  My philosophy is simply to take the professional game in terms of the 4 factors and introduce them to my players at red.  This means, right grips, stances, footwork.  Developing a game style, being tactically aware and understanding there own strengths and weaknesses.  Becoming physically competent through appropriate Strength and conditioning (including plyometrics, specific movement training) and developing a solid work ethic for the future.  All of this can be done with a sponge ball, small racket on a red court.

I have recently come across comments such as “they hit it out a lot on the small red court they will do better at orange”

This is complete rubbish since it may be true in the short term but if the technique isn’t in place the player will just hit it out at orange too.  The bigger courts etc will highlight even more the flaws in a player and although they will have the opportunity to “learn the hard way” i.e deal to cope they will not realise as much successful outcomes as if they were developed fully at red and moved to orange with better foundations.

Once again, I invite comments, thoughts and feedback as they purpose is to enhance our coaching and create better players!  hope you enjoyed this and for more information on my personal approach email me at mike@gameseducation.co.uk.  cheers.

I would like to start with taking out the governing bodies.  In tennis we have the LTA but also we have smaller groups who essentially are trying to do the same things just on a smaller level.  There has been slating of the LTA by these groups yet weirdly where is the production from these groups?  Can the LTA be slated if the alternatives don’t work either?

Ok so assuming the governing bodies are NOT to blame (maybe they are maybe they are not) what else is preventing sports growth in terms of performers?  A lot would say facilities and this could be true in certain parts of the country as reducing indoor opportunities or not providing resources such as strength and conditioning areas will cause players to be disadvantaged.  Are the resources available in other countries simply better and more accessible?

Following on from this comes cost and commitment from both parents and players.  The parental support is fundamental both financially and emotionally.  Parents and coaches need to be on the same page in terms of programmes, hours, costs etc as to provide the opportunity for the player.  Without this then the player will never reach his/her potential.

Then we have the player, possible the most important aspect of the development.  The player is and will be heavily influenced by factors around them such as messages from school, other children, other parents, TV etc and must be clear with what the goals are.  For some reason players seem to lack the effort, motivation, determination, attitude to fully succeed and when the going gets tough are they willing to work hard enough to get there.  Just a random thought where is there?  Is the pathway clearly defined and understood by the player?  In the US it is the high school team..college scholarship…pro!  In the UK playing for the school team means nothing and the university sports are average at best (comparatively speaking).

Again a bit random but what would you do if you could change something?  Does anything need changing we just need to work harder?  Do governing bodies try to do to much?  Should school sport’s profile be raised to install some pride?  Can we learn from other countries.  Could talk for hours but post comments and discuss!

Mark Howard, Head of Fitness later commented on the hotspot system and had this to say;

“Hot Spot offers a really easy and affordable tool for measuring a player’s ability to perform a specific task. It is really quick to set up and can be manipulated by changing the start settings and timing modes making it a great way to benchmark a squad on any given functional drill or practice.

I like how simple the kit is and the fact that it has the potential to be used across a range of departments in the club including sports science and medical departments at both first team and academy level.”

see images at…

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=166260966717463&set=a.166260953384131.42210.100000006814523

www.gameseducation.co.uk

Existing Hotspotters can upgrade their system should they want to. Please see the Shop at www.gameseducation.co.uk/shop.asp for pricing.

The truly unique HotSpot® system consists of touch sensitive; Wi-Fi enabled remote spots or pods that communicate directly with a unique base station. The athlete activates the remote spots by applying pressure and the time is instantly registered on the base station. The system can be incorporated into any imaginable movement drill with emphasis on developing technique, speed and agility. With the ability to significantly improve technical efficiency, speed and agility through accurate data capture, the HotSpot® can be adapted to further develop athletes competing at any sport and at any level.

The HotSpot® originally launched in October 2009, has become an instant global success and is now being actively used in over ten countries worldwide including the USA, Germany, Spain and the UK by internationally recognised organisations including the English Premier League team, Blackburn Rovers and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). They are already reaping the rewards from using the HotSpot® to individually tailor athletes training programmes and measure performance.

Games Education Founder, and Design and Innovation Director, Mike Crooks said: “It is great to see all levels of sport fully embrace the HotSpot® training philosophy to develop the next generation of sporting stars. It is becoming a firm favourite, helping to inject fun and competiveness into training.”

Dr Fraser Harban, children’s specialist doctor and Games Education’s Commercial Director added: “It is recognised that a major factor in performance ability is how the brain learns patterns of movements which it then uses to develop specific motor programmes. Using the HotSpot® facilitates this brain training which enables athletes at all levels to enhance their performance”

The LTA are currently in the process of incorporating HotSpot® technology into their mini-tennis talent identification programme. With the aid of this exceptionally adaptable product the LTA will shortly be able to identify more effectively, talented children between the ages of six and 10 as the tennis stars of the future.

HotSpot® has also been firmly integrated into schools across the UK and is being actively used within physical education programmes to develop students’ mental and physical aptitude through fun and engaging movement drills.

The HotSpot® training system is extremely flexible and allows accurate data capture to occur across all sports over infinite activities. The HotSpot® capabilities are only restricted by the imagination and creativity of the coach and athlete.

The HotSpot® originally launched in October 2009, has become an instant global success and is now being actively used in over ten countries worldwide including the USA, Germany, Spain and the UK by internationally recognised organisations including the English Premier League team, Blackburn Rovers and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). They are already reaping the rewards from using the HotSpot® to individually tailor athletes training programmes and measure performance.