169 - Darren Warner - How do you create problem solvers ready for the Olympics

04/02/24 • 55 min

Show notes

Darren Warner's Career Journey - 1:01

Darren Warner shares his experience of being an elite athlete, British champion, and competing at world and Olympic levels for about 10 years. He then discusses his transition to becoming an Olympic coach, coaching top players, and eventually becoming the CEO of a judo governing body in Wales. Warner also talks about his academic pursuits, including finishing his PhD and writing a book on skill acquisition, and his current role at St. Mary's.

Transition from Player to Coach - 4:13

Darren Warner shares his journey from being an elite athlete to a coach, highlighting his realization of the need for evolving coaching methods and the impact of injuries on training plans. He discusses his experiences in coaching, including the challenges of finding solutions and the importance of making training more random to enhance retention. The conversation also touches on the resilience and determination of Olympians in overcoming injuries.

Problem Solving in Judo and Training Approaches-11:34

Delve into the intricacies of judo and other fighting sports, highlighting the diverse physical attributes of opponents within the same weight category. Darren shares insights into the unique culture of judo and the training approach, emphasizing the need to simplify complexity and adopt an affordance-based approach to training and preparing for opponents.

Insights from a Triple World Champion -16:02

Darren shares a story about a Japanese triple world champion in judo who emphasized the importance of focusing on weaknesses rather than strengths. The champion's approach of constantly dealing with the uncomfortable and finding solutions for challenges set him apart from others, making him the "Lionel Messi of judo."

Discussion on Super Strengths and Well-Roundedness in Athletes - 18:26

Darren and Michael engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the approach to developing athletes, debating the merits of focusing on super strengths versus creating well-rounded players. They also delve into the challenges of removing individual bias and future-proofing sports in the face of evolving rules and regulations, drawing on examples from their experiences in coaching and leadership roles.

Developing Adaptable Athletes and Coaches - 25:24

Darren shares his approach to developing adaptable athletes in judo, focusing on creating problem-solving abilities and addressing the impact of rule changes on athletes' performance. He also discusses the importance of challenging athletes and forcing them to adapt, even if it means deviating from traditional coaching methods.

Use of Data and Analytics in Performance Analysis - 32:18

Darren and Michael delve into the significance of using data and analytics in performance analysis, emphasizing the power of linking solutions back to individuals or groups. Warner shares a humbling experience from the Beijing Olympics, highlighting the need to prioritize and identify the most important aspects of data analysis.

Communication Challenges in Coaching Environments - 37:31

Darren and Michael delve into the difficulties of communication in coaching, highlighting the impact of noisy and silent environments on player-coach interaction. They discuss the importance of developing decision-making skills in players and consider using codes or signs for communication.

Cross-Cultural Influences in Martial Arts and Sports Training - 42:06

Michael and Darren delve into the impact of diverse cultures on martial arts and sports training, emphasizing the significance of understanding and embracing different techniques and methodologies. They also explore the role of play culture in skill development and the potential benefits of cross-competitions and cross-training in sports.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show notes

Darren Warner's Career Journey - 1:01

Transition from Player to Coach - 4:13

Problem Solving in Judo and Training Approaches-11:34

Insights from a Triple World Champion -16:02

Discussion on Super Strengths and Well-Roundedness in Athletes - 18:26

Developing Adaptable Athletes and Coaches - 25:24

Use of Data and Analytics in Performance Analysis - 32:18

Communication Challenges in Coaching Environments - 37:31

Cross-Cultural Influences in Martial Arts and Sports Training - 42:06

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

168 - Olly Logan - 'Embracing the arena' Preparing Swimmers for the Paris 2024 Olympics

Olly Logan is the Head of Innovation, Biomechanics and Performance analysis at British Swimming. He is currently preparing athletes for Pairs 2024 Olympics.

Show notes

Overview of Roles and Training in Olympic and Paralympic Sports - 0:31

Olly Logan, head of biomechanics innovation and performance analysis at British Swimming, provides an overview of his role, which involves working with Olympic swimming, Paralympic swimming, and diving. He explains the training schedules for athletes in these sports, including pool sessions, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, and psychology work, as well as the additional demands for athletes who are also in university. Logan also discusses the logistical challenges of his nomadic role, traveling between the six main centers in the UK.

Biomechanics in Swimming - 5:35

Michael Wright and Olly Logan delve into the biomechanics of swimming, highlighting the specific metrics used to measure performance and identify areas for improvement, such as stroke count, time splits, and kinematics. They discuss the challenges of working in an aquatic environment and the need for consistent and robust equipment to track progress over time, emphasizing the importance of reliable data for coaches and athletes.

Data Analysis and Preparation for Major Competitions12:09

Michael Wright and Olly Logan delve into the process of obtaining comparative data sets for analysis and the challenges of preparing for unique environments at major competitions. They discuss the alignment of competition metrics with evaluation within the Tin context and the informal agreement in Paralympic swimming regarding recording opposition data. Additionally, they highlight the consistency and tolerance in the development of temporary pool technology for major championships.

Embracing the Arena - 18:02

Olly Logan emphasizes the significance of embracing the arena and utilizing the energy from the crowd, especially in the context of the Olympics and Paralympics. Michael Wright shows interest in the psychological aspects of momentum and the impact of the team's performance on athletes' mindset. They discuss the dynamic environment of the Olympic Village and the influence of the team's performance on athletes' emotions.

Innovation and Learning from Other Sports- 22:47

Michael Wright discusses the importance of innovation and learning from other sports with Olly Logan, who manages a cross-disciplinary portfolio related to software and hardware developments. Olly explains that innovation involves both tangible developments and challenging traditional thinking, and how competition serves as a test and a source of new ideas. He also highlights the impact of rules changes in sports like Formula One and athletics on innovation.

Building Credibility and Trust through Effective Questioning - 35:53

Michael Wright and Olly Logan delve into the nuances of building credibility and trust in their roles, highlighting the importance of having a deep understanding of the technical and contextual aspects of the sports they work with. They emphasize the value of open questioning and effective communication to facilitate meaningful conversations with coaches and specialists, while also acknowledging the need to avoid being perceived as a threat in their interactions.

Insights on High Performance Environments - 45:24

Michael Wright and Olly Logan delve into the dynamics of high performance environments, highlighting the presence of micro-cultures with a shared purpose and high levels of engagement. They stress the significance of creating a welcoming atmosphere and the importance of soft skills in fostering a sense of belonging and unity. Additionally, they discuss the role of self-awareness in aligning actions with desired perceptions within the environment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

170 - Karl Sanderg - Diaries of a Sporting Director

Karl Sandberg is the Sporting Director at FC Djusholm

Karl Sandberg's Journey to Becoming a Sporting Director - 10:19

Karl Sandberg shares his journey from volunteering as a football coach to becoming a sporting director, emphasizing the impact of his engineering background on his coaching philosophy. Michael Wright acknowledges the non-traditional route into coaching and discusses the value of diverse backgrounds in the coaching world.

Youth Football Development and Club Ownership - 16:45

Michael Wright and Karl Sandberg delve into the historical and current approaches to youth football development and club ownership in the UK and Sweden. They explore the impact of commercialization on club finances and the limitations imposed by club ownership rules on investment in facilities and infrastructure, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities faced by clubs in both countries.

Academy Training and Competition Structure in Sweden - 28:21

Michael Wright and Karl Sandberg delve into the differences between academy training in Stockholm and other parts of Sweden, highlighting the limited access to football fields in Stockholm and the challenges of finding suitable competition for academy teams. They also discuss the age groups at which academy teams start and the rules governing player recruitment and competition participation.

Youth Player Recruitment and Development - 38:27

Michael Wright and Karl Sandberg delve into the intricacies of youth player recruitment and development in Sweden and the UK, emphasizing the absence of official signing and contracts for youth players in Sweden, as well as the compensation system for player transfers in the UK. They also touch upon the challenges and benefits of these systems, providing insights into the differences in approach and the impact on players and clubs.

Scouting System at Athletic Club - 53:30

Karl Sandberg shares his experience at Athletic Club in Bilbao, highlighting the club's scouting system that involves numerous affiliated clubs in the Basque country. He recounts a moment when key club figures, including the academy director and board of directors, attended a game between 12-year-old players to scout for potential talent. Sandberg emphasizes the club's commitment to identifying and nurturing the best players for their first team through this extensive scouting network.

Talent Identification and Player Development Programs - 56:57

Karl Sandberg shares insights into Sevilla's talent identification and player development program, highlighting the specialized training and mentorship provided to high-potential academy players. Michael Wright expands on the importance of position-specific training, especially for older age groups, and discusses the unique recruitment model of Athletic Club, emphasizing the value of regionalized recruitment and thorough player assessment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.