New Dimensions of Learning & Performance
TESTIMONIALS
COACH TRAINING DAYS COMMENTS
"Hi Just a quick note to say that I have been experimenting with your techniques since the course last Friday with great success.
One problem I have with riders is that they want to use their legs with every stride of the horse which is totally unnecessary and not good for the horse's training. I have tried various phrases to try and stop this with no success. This week I have been asking riders to say "kick" every time they use their legs. The problem disappeared within seconds; as soon as it returned I ask them to say it again. It has cured them all.
When asking a horse to canter, the rider has to bring the outside leg back which most novice riders have problems with. I have asked them that, if 1 is at the girth, 2 is 6 inches behind it and 3 a foot behind - where does their leg come? After two or three goes they are getting canter every time.
So thankyou for your help - it has certainly worked for me and my pupils."
June 2008, after attending our Cambridge CSP 'Coaching For Self-Belief' course.
Comments taken from feedback questionnaires following eight BTCA programmes
"A career defining moment for me. I had been trying to learn more about the Inner Game but to no avail. To meet you and experience the beautiful simplicity of this approach and gain a new awareness myself, was a fantastic experience. I immediately thought of my life coaching practice and how easy it is to get into the instruction mode. It is both harder and easier to coach using ‘Inner Game’ principles but ultimately more rewarding to the coachee. Can’t wait for the 3 day workshop."
"The course has increased my confidence in all aspects of playing, coaching and life. I am looking forward to the 3-day workshop. I now have a framework to build my coaching style around. I am reading the ‘Inner Game of Work’. Thank you!"
"One day was not enough for the full study but certainly whetted my appetite. Well done! Invite me again for the full works!"
"It has given me a shot in the arm. I am enjoying experimenting with the Inner Game principles in my own coaching. That isn’t to say I’m finding it easy. Looking forward to pursuing it further."
"I thought all the tutors were friendly, non-judgemental and very supportive."
"I had no idea of the concept of inner tennis but came away with a sense of not being able to wait for the next tennis session so could try out the principles taught."
"I enjoyed the course. I do feel that one day only scratches the surface. It is an area that I wish to explore more. I have felt guilty of over-teaching and this is something that can balance my coaching better with more experience of inner tennis."
"Just thank you! This can be used as a life skill."
"The knowledge of the tutors was such that the day progressed very well with ample time spent on each objective. Coaching has become far more enjoyable since the 9th June – thank you!"
INNER TENNIS COURSE - 'BEST IN RANK!'
Northampton, Sunday 13th November
"Of all the coaching courses I have attended this ranked as one of the best! Not necessarily because it provided many answers, more that it has evoked many questions. It has left me feeling that there is not only more potential to be realised amongst the players that I coach but also in my own potential as a coach as well as a mother!!
The course participants travelled from as far as Dorset, Devon and the Channel Islands to attend (where were the locals?) and I feel sure that everyone who attended will be looking for a follow-up course in the future. It was also a great opportunity to mix with coaches from all over the country and we were definitely a good mix!
The course was led by Caroline Harris assisted by Jeremy Cross and we started with an exercise not dissimilar to an Indian arm wrestle to demonstrate some of the principles of the “Inner Game” and this for me was definitely an “aha” moment (Caroline's terminology!). We then quickly went on to court to try various practical exercises based on the underlying principles of the Inner Game: focussed attention, trust, choice and non-judgemental awareness. We learned that these fundamentals enable pupils to learn more naturally and efficiently.
As coaches, this forced us to think about our coaching style and whilst all of us as individuals are somewhere on the scale between directive and non directive the coaching style of the “Inner coach” essentially involves a non directive approach. This style recognises a players individuality, encourages greater involvement and results in greater awareness and responsibility for his/her learning.
After lunch, we attempted
to “coach” each other
a golf putt using the non-directive style which most
of us that do not play
golf found quite easy (there was only one candidate unfortunate
enough to have the “interference” of his
previous technical knowledge!). Applying the same coaching
style
to our tennis
strokes proved far harder and to more or lesser degrees
we all had to fight
the urge to unload our vast technical knowledge on the
poor pupil (in our case, another course candidate!).
The day flew by and both Jacqui and I who came across
from Guernsey vowed on the way home to keep the non directive
inner coach within
us going as radically as we could on our return (in
for
a penny in for a pound)! We have been 'phoning each other
to share our
minor successes as well as amusing reactions from pupils
which included “are
you barmy?” and “please stop asking me questions
and tell me what to do!”.
Clearly we need part
2 of this course without further delay - bring it on
Caroline!!"
Jo Robinson
‘REVELATIONS' AT BTCA INNER TENNIS COURSE
"A ‘revelation’ is one word which could be used to sum up the BTCA Inner Tennis Course held at Gosling Tennis Club, Welwyn, on 20th September 2005. The day started as a small class of 7 coaches and we were met by our course tutors, Rob Sheath and Caroline Harris, who were to be our Inner Tennis Course tutors for the day. The small class number allowed a close interaction with the Tutors.
After a fun exercise in which we described our “animal” characteristics we were taken through a demonstration of the Inner Tennis principles using a sport which is a favourite pastime and relaxation for coaches after a hard day at work - golf.
The course was very interactive and practical, with each coach contributing to the learning process and getting ample opportunities to use and see the Inner Tennis in action real time, and in a practical context.
The on-court demonstration reinforced the power of the Inner Training principles in action when the techniques covered in the classroom were used to transform a good volley into a great volley – all in 5 minutes! The power of the technique had easily passed the test of usability with flying colours.
Following the demonstration the group took turns in trying out several different on-court techniques and got a chance to be an Inner Tennis Tutor by teaching a fellow coach under the watchful and supportive eye of Rob and Caroline.
That concluded a wonderful day which gave all the coaches a new outlook on the coaching method – a great method of assisting their students to achieve their potential.
Many thanks to Rob and Caroline for making the day a great learning experience."
Rajesh Sharma - Posted on the BTCA web site– October 05
PLAYER DAY COMMENTS
"Great day – I will use a lot of the skills learned today."
"Thank you and your coaches for a most enjoyable afternoon. It was an interesting experience – we all know we should not get negative when we are playing – I found the session very useful giving some positive ideas to overcome this and look forward to putting these drills into practice."
"We were a bit sceptical beforehand but did feel it was a useful afternoon."
"I think the day went very well and I have heard lots of positive comments. Thank you all for your time and hopefully we will meet again at some point."
MASTER CLASS COMMENTS
November 2004 saw Inner Works Coaching presenting to the Sixth Form at Waddesdon School during their Master Class Week:
‘How can we thank you enough? We still recall your contribution to Waddesdon’s Master Class Week. Here are just a few of the comments we have received from students about your presentation:
"Inspiring"
"I will be able to use what I learnt"
"I learnt many useful life skills"
"Excellent"
"Related well to whole group"
The whole experience has lifted the morale and outlook of the sixth form students and many now have a clearer vision for their futures. This is where our outside speakers can provide the inspiration that we ‘every-day teachers’ cannot!
We can well imagine the time and effort it takes to prepare such presentations and this is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much indeed for making this a special week for the Sixth Form.’
Tanya Simpson
Deputy Head, Waddesdon Church of England School (Leading Edge Partnership
School)
Home | The Inner Game | The Team | Programmes | Articles | Testimonials | Contact | Links