Developing anAdaptive Sports Program

Michael R. Weaver

CTRS/Community Inclusion Specialist

Presentation for the2017 Adaptive Sports USA

National Conference & Delegate Assembly

October 2017

Today’s Agenda

Aligning to Rehab Goals

Developing a Positive Culture

Managing Risk

Program Development

Adaptive Equipment and Space

Budget

Athlete Development Goals

Training Plan

Self Assessment

Coaching Philosophy, Approaches and Styles

Qualities of a Successful Coach

Q&A

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to USA Archery and USA Shooting for the knowledge, resources and training

acquired through their education and certification processes.

Connecting Adaptive Sports Goals withVeterans’ Rehabilitation Goals

Cognitive Rehabilitation

problem solving abilities

abilities to socially engage with others

orientation to time, place person

memory

ability to understand and follow directions

ability to make decisions

attention to task

Connecting Adaptive Sports Goals withVeterans’ Rehabilitation Goals

Physical Rehabilitation

physical abilities

strength and tolerance for activity

reduce and manage pain/stress

Community Integration

knowledge of community resources

Supports in training: finding resources in the community

Lifestyle Modification

training on adaptive recreation techniques and equipment

Education, coping strategies/techniques that support the athlete

reduce restlessness, agitation prior to competition

Developing a Positive Culture

Catch the athlete “doing good”

Reward performance, not outcome

Conduct exciting practices

Show that your care

Hold team meetings to foster positive team culture

Promote team identity (decals, T-shirts, certificates)

Develop athlete and team code of conduct and expectations (agreements about being respectful, responsible, caring, honest, fair, etc.)

Ask team to develop consequences for conduct violations

Recognize through praise, pats of back, awards

Developing a Positive Culture

Wheelchair Games 2015

Managing Risks

• Properly plan the activity

• Provide proper instruction

• Warn of the inherent risks

• Provide a safe physical environment

• Provide adequate and proper equipment

• Match your athletes’ ability appropriately

• Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity

• Supervise the activity closely

• Provide appropriate emergency assistance

• Protect against physical and psychological harm from others

• Teach the skills of the sport in the correct progression

Be certified in Safe Sport Training

Program Development

Identify the motivation and needs of your athletes – This is the priority of your program

Develop mission statement

Identify resources – be creative

Seek funding and equipment

Gather support in your organization and community

Let the vision grow: take incremental steps and build upon successes

Recognize those who have supported you

Publicize the successes

Clinic Size 20’ x 36’

Adapting Space to Accommodate Your Program

Adapting Space for Your Program

Field size 60’x160’. Temporary posts with signs, do not cross yellow ribbon and marking on grass with field paint. Portable bale stand and equipment brought in by pick up.

Four lanes for shooting, archery, biking, rowing, biathlon. Notice the tripod so the blind athlete can find his range and direction.

Adapting Equipment

Notice the rifle t-stand also delivers snacks. David shot his best score to win the tournament.

Pre and post shot cycle using the Scatt.

Shipping Equipment

Not pretty, but the Dept. of Transportation still shipped

3’x3’x5’ with shooting equipment

Squeezing the Most Out of a Budget

Make a fiscal plan

Identify your adaptive equipment resources

Seek cost-effective training opportunities

Contact national organizations for opportunities and resources

Apply for grants, try a go fund me site, hold fundraisers, and seek sponsors

Accept equipment from previous athletes

Designate person(s) to organize and lead the resources team

Developing The Athlete

Goals and training plans are a vital aspect to achieving one’s objectives. The most common

breakdown is that athletes fail to plan adequately and follow

through with their plan.

Robert Mitchell2003 USA Shooting

Coach Conference

Program Develops as your Athletes Develop

Biathlon training with ski erg in background. Notice the mirror in background for body positioning and correction during archery.

Further Athlete Development

Notice the use of David’s right hand, body extension and forward thrust of right side. Right hand finger pull is the challenge for

+ shot cycle

Athlete Development Goals

Two Kinds of Goals

Outcome

Process

Three Types of Goals

Short term

Intermediate

Long term

What Goes Into a Training Plan?

Physical training

Technical training

Mental training

Tactical training

Competitions

Equipment

Recovery

Journaling

Volume of trainingIntensity of trainingRhythmCompetition simulationEnvironmental conditionsTravelMediaLife experiences

Athlete Development with Goal Setting

Training

The process of learning new skills

The development and refinement of a skill.

Increased knowledge with deliberate/ disciplined action

PracticeRepetition of an acquired skill to maintain proficiency

Athlete Training Periodized Plan

USA Shooting

Overcoming negative scripts

Mastering the 3 mental processes that control a winning performance

Subconscious, Conscious and Self Esteem

Performance is 90% mental

www.mentalmanagement.com

Coaches who are Certified in the Sportadds Validity, Safety and Skill Base to the Program

USA Shooting

Training Opportunities

Training OpportunitiesThe Biennial Coach Conference was a live feed telecast from Colorado Springs, CO. Cost for two days $100.00.

USA Shooting provides online training through their Coach Academy for Advanced Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun certification.

Coaching Changes Lives

1. How do you see yourself? Who am I?

2. What are your goals in life? What do you want?

3. Do you behave in a way that reflects your goals and principles?

4. When you look at your life and actions, are you proud or ashamed? Why?

5. Are you happy or unhappy with your accomplishments? Why?

6. What do you value the most? Why?

7. If someone asks why you coach, you tell them the following:

8. How do you know you are a good coach?

9. What could you do to become a better coach?

10. What beliefs or principles are needed to achieve your goals?

Self-Assessment Survey

Answers: What, Why and How

Consists of:

Major objectives (what you value and want to achieve)

Your beliefs or principles that help you achieve your objectives

Coaching Philosophy

Coach Centered vs. Athlete Centered

The most important ingredient of a philosophy is that you own it

Your philosophy is expressed by what you do, not by what you say

Positive Coaching Philosophy

Biathlon competition during Wheelchair Games

Command Style(Directive)

Submissive Style(Passive Observer)

Cooperative Style(The Teacher)

Coaching Styles

Command Style(Directive)

“Do what I say

and don’t ask

questions”

“Do what you think is best”

Submissive Style(Passive Observer)

Used to:

Teach athletes

Solicit feedback

Give athletes the latitude to find their own method to best play the game

Cooperative Styles(The Teacher)

Uses all three styles depending on the situation

Allows athletes to become students of the sport by guiding and educating them while they play

The Versatile Coach

Can you think of a versatile coach?

Coaching Approaches

Tactical Skills or Games approach

• Strategies to gain advantages over the opposing team or players

• Game-like experiences motivates and enhance fun

• Shaping the play in the Games Approach:

• Change rules to create learning environment you want

• Change number of players to learn adaptive strategies

• Modify the goals, scoring and equipment for improved adaptability

The Traditional or Technical Approach

• The specific procedure to perform the task

• Coaches usually overemphasize the technical skill

• Mindless drills, boredom

• Over coaching causes more harm than good

Qualities of a Successful Coach

A mediocre coach tells,a good coach explains,

a superior coach demonstrates,but the great coach inspires

Rainer MartensSuccessful Coaching

Motivating

Inspirational

Optimistic

Empathetic

Patient

Persistent

Personable

Mindful

Attributes of Successful Coaches

Sound judgment

Credibility

Trustworthy

Ethical

Cooperative

Fair

Consistent

and more….

Excellent communication skills

− Active listening

− Clear instructions and demonstrations

− Verbal and nonverbal

Effective feedback skills

− Positive

− Encouraging

− Constructive

Knowledge and Skills of Successful Coaches

39

Clearly defined coaching philosophy

Knowledgeable in sport

Solid grounding in biomechanics, anatomy and physiology

Sound understanding of sports psychology

Ability to coach at all levels

Adaptive SportsChanges Lives

VA Wheelchair Games, Dallas Texas