Zoo EXTREME Sports Performance
The Mobile Coaching the Coach Site
This is referred to as a Fixed Practice
There are precise movements repeated under set conditions. As mentioned, this is a typical traditional style where there is much led by the coach and constant instant feedback. This type of training makes the young fight dependent on the coach and does not prepare the athlete for the randomness of MMA.
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This also includes Mass practice as there is clearly basic movement repeated and as I witness, this was done every training day. The repetitive practice was only broken up by the coach and it did not allow the athlete to be inquisitive and come up with form and tactics on his own. An athlete that finds his own solution will retain this and continue to implement it. Ove coaching makes the fighter dependent on the coach.
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What is not clear in the video but was observed, was the Block Practice technique. The fighter rehearsed the skill until the coach believed he was competent to move on to the next phase of the training.
Grappling Session 1
In basketball, I consider that top-down management and dictating the coaching based on the X and O’s, to be the foundation of traditional coaching. In all the traditional practice sessions I’ve either studied or been an athlete for, I also see that much of the time is spent listening and valuable time lost for fighters to be active. This is true with the video that I captured and is one area that quickly communicates to the trainers. This is not to say that traditional practices serve no purpose. Conversely, contemporary practise alone is not the answer. I urge coaches to balance and most importantly be self-aware. I often video myself in practice, matches and games. Each year I ask a colleague to sit in and then give me feedback based on their impressions. The takeaway of all this is to never stop learning and evolving. Sports will inevitably change and so must the coach and the coaching practices.
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After some ZESP feedback, the coach leaves more to the athlete. You will see signs of Whole practice where the athlete completes a movement in its entirety. I asked for an arm-bar submission move without and guidance or stoppage by the coach.
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To make this a more Variable practice, the young fighter would have to secure the arm-bar following varied circumstances. There is an enormous amount of scenarios that can play out in order for the fighter to complete the arm-bar for example.
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There was prior mention to the randomness of MMA. I am an athlete of many individuals and team sports. I found now to be as random as MMA. I followed in my father's footsteps in boxing. In learning the sport it was obvious how complex and mental boxing was. MMA utilizes punches, kicks, wrestling and judo type throws. Just when you think you are comping close to proficient in the "big 4" you then face opponents seasoned in Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Karate or Kick Boxing. MMA is a sport that one needs to keep learning in order to be successful. For athletes that love to learn, then this is your sports.