176 - Stuart Morgan - How to manage Ryder Cup Nerves

06/27/24 • 75 min

Stuart Morgan is a Professional PGA Coach that works with some of the best players in the world.

Golf Coaching Journey and Transition to Science-1:06

Stuart Morgan shares his background in professional golf coaching, including his work with David Ledbetter, coaching winners on major tours, and his current focus on motor learning and practice in elite golf. He also discusses his transition from being a player to a coach and his interest in integrating science into golf coaching.

Golf Coaching and Practice Methods-5:13

Stuart Morgan explains the traditional approach to golf coaching, focusing on the use of driving ranges and the lack of emphasis on practicing on the golf course. He highlights the limitations of driving range practice and the need for more contextual training to simulate real course conditions.

Discussion on Golf Swing Techniques and Self-Organization-10:59

Michael Wright and Stuart Morgan delve into the evolution of golf swing techniques, highlighting the shift towards self-organization and individualized approaches rather than a standardized model. They discuss the impact of physical constraints and emphasize the importance of understanding first principle ideas for coaches and players to enhance performance.

Coaching Differences and Approaches-36:46

Stuart Morgan shares insights on coaching younger golfers and elite athletes, emphasizing the impact of coaching on the malleability of younger players and the need for diverse and engaging training methods. He also discusses the importance of long-term consistency in coaching elite athletes to achieve lasting improvements, highlighting the need for small, consistent adjustments over time.

Involvement of Caddies in Player Support-41:05

Stuart Morgan and Michael Wright delve into the integral role of caddies in supporting players, highlighting the importance of communication between caddies and coaching staff. They also consider the possibility of coaches caddying for players in specific events to gain insights into the player's performance and provide targeted feedback, challenging traditional practices in golf coaching.

Player Superpowers and Nerves-48:58

Stuart Morgan and Michael Wright delve into the concept of players' superpowers and the necessity of maintaining and refining them, using a recent experience with a player as an example. They also explore the influence of nerves on players' performance, sharing insights from the Ryder Cup Extreme and discussing how caddies play a crucial role in understanding and supporting players' psychological needs during high-pressure moments.

Writing Journey and Future Plans-58:06

Stuart Morgan shares his experience of writing "The Gifted Junior" and the decision to learn the skill of writing instead of opting for a ghostwriter. He also talks about his future plans to write his PhD thesis and the pilot studies he has conducted on elite golfers' practice, highlighting the fascinating themes that emerged from the studies.

Discussion on Practice Habits and Beliefs1:01:41

Stuart and Michael delve into the significance of sharing findings and work, highlighting the insights it can offer into practice habits and cultures. They stress the impact of beliefs on behaviors and the necessity to challenge habitual practices, while also discussing the benefits of having a variety of tools to develop one's game or practice style.

Discussion on Coaching Styles and Player Psychology1:05:33

Stuart Morgan and Michael Wright delve into the nuances of coaching styles and player psychology, with Stuart reflecting on his own approach and the feedback he receives from players. They emphasize the significance of recognizing individual personality types and tailoring coaching methods to optimize player performance.

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

Stuart Morgan is a Professional PGA Coach that works with some of the best players in the world.

Golf Coaching Journey and Transition to Science-1:06

Golf Coaching and Practice Methods-5:13

Discussion on Golf Swing Techniques and Self-Organization-10:59

Coaching Differences and Approaches-36:46

Involvement of Caddies in Player Support-41:05

Player Superpowers and Nerves-48:58

Writing Journey and Future Plans-58:06

Discussion on Practice Habits and Beliefs1:01:41

Discussion on Coaching Styles and Player Psychology1:05:33

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

Previous Episode

175 - Mark Bennett - How does culture effect performance?

Mark Bennett MBE is a high performance specialist consultant who has worked across the globe including Oklahoma City Thunder, Saracens Rugby and Premier League.

Mark Bennett MBE on Performance Development System1:50

Mark Bennett MBE explains the concept of culture as the natural behaviors within an organization or team, and how they manifest under pressure and in different situations. He also delves into the distinction between culture and performance, highlighting that having a great culture does not always guarantee high performance. Additionally, he discusses the importance of decision-making and judgment in various roles and situations.

Identifying Issues and Solutions 8:38

Mark Bennett MBE emphasizes the challenge of identifying the source of issues and prioritizing solutions for change. Michael Wright shares an anecdote about companies having similar values displayed on their walls, questioning the authenticity and impact of such displays. The conversation delves into the discrepancy between stated values and actual behaviors within organizations.

Managing Expectations and Clarity in Sports and Business 15:46

Mark Bennett MBE highlights the issue of unspoken expectations and lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities in sports and business. He explains how this can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings between managers, coaches, and hiring personnel, and emphasizes the importance of pre-agreement and daily honoring of expectations to avoid issues.

Interviewing and Hiring Process 19:48

Mark Bennett MBE emphasizes the need for thorough due diligence outside of the interview process when hiring coaches, citing a personal example to illustrate his point. He stresses the importance of observing coaches in action and evaluating their behaviors and interactions with players to determine their suitability for the role. Bennett also highlights the significance of the questions asked by candidates and how they align with the club's expectations and values.

Evaluating Coaching Performance 23:54

Michael Wright and Mark Bennett MBE delve into the intricacies of evaluating coaching performance, highlighting the significance of honesty and accountability in feedback. They stress the importance of providing specific, detailed feedback to coaches and the need to avoid overcomplicating or over-rationalizing assessments.

Managing High Performance and Culture 36:35

Michael Wright discusses the challenge of balancing high performance and culture in high-stress environments, citing the England cricket team as an example. He raises concerns about the impact on well-being and the potential for resentment. Mark Bennett MBE responds by emphasizing the importance of effective communication and managing one's state to maximize performance potential.

Managing Behavioral Challenges in Sports Training 40:27

Mark Bennett MBE illustrates a real-world scenario of managing behavioral challenges in sports training, highlighting the case of a basketball player from a rough neighborhood who exhibited inappropriate behavior during training sessions. Bennett emphasizes the importance of identifying weaknesses and intervening with clarity and honesty to address unacceptable behavior, ultimately aiming for progress and self-management within the athletes.

Culture, Performance, and Wellness in Sports 43:57

Mark Bennett MBE highlights the need to eliminate toxic behavior in sports culture and emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between wellness and performance. Michael Wright questions the management of perceptions around high-performing teams and the misconception of mistaking edge for bullying, citing examples from historical data and personal experiences in football environments.

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

Next Episode

177 - Tim Baghurst - Coach education in the US

Tim Baghurst is a professor at Florida State University and Director of the FSU Coach programme.

Coach Education and Qualifications -0:25

Timothy Baghurst explains the purpose of the FSU Coach, an interdisciplinary center for athletic coaching, and its mission to support coaches and sports administrators with best practices. He discusses the history of coach education in different countries, particularly comparing the US and the UK, and the varying levels of structure and qualifications required for coaching roles.

Importance of Supporting and Training Coaches - 11:28

Timothy Baghurst raises concerns about the challenges coaches encounter, such as low pay and burnout, and stresses the importance of supporting and training them to address these issues. He suggests that providing training and financial support can incentivize coaches to stay in the sport, ultimately reducing turnover and the need to constantly fill coaching positions. Baghurst emphasizes the circular nature of the argument, stating that there is no obvious solution beyond incentivizing coaches to stay and requiring them to be licensed and trained.

Qualifications and Opportunities for Collegiate Coaches- 14:41

Michael Wright and Timothy Baghurst debate the qualifications and opportunities for collegiate coaches in American football, expressing concern over the emphasis on winning over student graduation. They discuss the lack of formal qualifications required and emphasize the significance of work experience and networking in securing coaching positions, highlighting the potential bias towards coaches from successful programs.

The Importance of Connections in Coaching-18:09

Timothy Baghurst shares a story about a coach who moved from a successful program to a less successful one and failed, highlighting the role of connections in coaching success. He emphasizes that qualifications alone are not enough and that connections and experiences play a significant role in getting coaching opportunities. Baghurst also mentions the importance of athletes and parents valuing a coach's experiences and connections over academic qualifications.

Perspectives on Professional Development and Coaching Styles-25:33

Michael Wright shares his insights on the value of professional certification for self-awareness and recognizing blind spots, drawing from his personal experience. Timothy Baghurst emphasizes the significance of ongoing professional development, stressing the need for standardized learning to maintain quality in coaching. The discussion also touches on different coaching styles and the impact of cultural differences on coaching approaches.

Emphasizing the Importance of Coach Education-34:27

Timothy Baghurst shares the story of a successful beach volleyball coach who demonstrated humility by pursuing a master's degree to improve her coaching skills, despite her previous success. He emphasizes the scarcity of coaches seeking assistance to improve their programs and highlights the significance of recognizing the need for growth in coaching. Baghurst also discusses the importance of prioritizing people over performance in coach education, emphasizing the impact of understanding and caring for athletes' well-being on their performance.

Importance of Group Professional Development-48:20

Timothy Baghurst stresses the significance of attending professional development as a group, highlighting the collective emphasis and understanding gained from such experiences. He shares a story of a coach who implemented the learnings from his session and achieved success in winning a state championship, illustrating the impact of group professional development on practical outcomes.

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