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057 - Teach Anyone Anything
95 Plays4 days ago
Discover the game-changing framework that revolutionized Tex's approach to developing both movement excellence and character. In this transformative episode, learn the powerful four-stage system: Define, Model, Shape, and Reinforce.
What You'll Master:
- Crystal-clear movement instruction that accelerates learning
- Why modeling matters more than words (leveraging mirror neurons)
- "Confrontation with love" - shaping growth without breaking relationships
- The principle "if you permit it, you promote it" for technique and character
- Creating feedback loops that elevate your coaching impact
Beyond Movement - Building Leaders: This framework transcends athletics, becoming a blueprint for developing integrity, respect, and personal growth. Every interaction becomes an opportunity for intentional transformation.
Transform how you teach, learn, and grow - both on the field and in life.
Training - Old Bull Program - 7 Day Free Trial - https://bit.ly/old-bull-train
Education - Why They're Not Listening: Coaching the Modern Athlete - http://listen.captainsandcoaches.com
#MotorLearning #CoachingMethodology #Athletedéveloppement #LeadershipDevelopment #SportsCoaching #MovementCoaching #CoachEducation #TeachingFramework #CharacterBuilding #CoachingTips
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Transcript
Introduction to Leadership in Athletics
00:00:00
Speaker
Can you get your athletes to see it like you see it? Welcome to the Captains and Coaches podcast where you explore the art and science of leadership through the lens of athletics
Motor Learning in Presentations and Practices
00:00:09
Speaker
and beyond. I'm your host Texel Quilkin and today we are going to deep dive into how I structure the framework for my presentations and practices based off the laws of motor learning.
Teaching Strength at Rugby Clinics
00:00:23
Speaker
I'm going to take you back 2020, March, before the world shut down. I was asked to speak at the Iowa State Rugby Clinic. Wild. I'm not a rugby guy.
00:00:35
Speaker
That was my second time in Iowa. But they flew me up to teach strength and conditioning to rugby coaches, and I had an amazing time.
Networking and Learning at Small Clinics
00:00:46
Speaker
The beauty of going to small clinics like this is you never know what speakers are going to show up And it's usually confined to one room.
00:00:55
Speaker
where conferences, there's multiple speakers going on. You got people from all over US, where I have past relationships with, so I'm gonna go spend time with them, and there's dinners and there's drinks.
00:01:07
Speaker
But usual, small clinics is you speak your part, you sit down, and you observe. You get to know the other speakers. Maybe there's a speaker dinner, or maybe there's some happy hour time after these small clinics.
00:01:23
Speaker
But one day events, I've learned to love them and sit in the back and network. This particular clinic, they brought in a speaker named Rob Miller, and he's part of the proactive coaching team, and he put on a
The Four Stages of Teaching Movement
00:01:39
Speaker
clinic.
00:01:39
Speaker
He was one of the most fascinating speakers that I've ever been fortunate to sit in the back and learn from. I have my notebook from March 2020 here, and it is chocked full of i mean nuggets, just one-liners and quotes that I...
00:01:56
Speaker
I grabbed from him and then I picked up these books. So Proactive Coaching, there's a man named Bruce E. Brown. He's got these wonderful little books. They're filled with nuggets sitting here. It's Five Steps for Creating ah a Successful Team. Impact of Trust.
00:02:12
Speaker
Teach Attitude First. great team over there and listening and learning from Rob and and then some side conversations during lunch and between his talks he he had a ah lot of talks I was just chalk talk and then movement my jam and this time he was all chalk talk and sharing stories and experiences but one of the notes just changed how i view and see teaching movement And I'm going to break it down for you. It was great.
00:02:46
Speaker
So he introduced these as the laws of motor development. And there are four stages from it. Define, model, shape, and reinforce. Those were her his four stages.
00:02:58
Speaker
so we're going to explore that and then how I'm utilizing them for both presentations that I'm leading and practices ah for the LAXPROs. So think about the practice first. This is going to be the simplest thing.
00:03:12
Speaker
It's defining a drill. So we give it a name. We say, all right, we're going to do this specific drill and here's what it is. Once we define the rules, the regulations, how much for how long we're going to do that now we're going to model it
Feedback Loop and Coaching Challenges
00:03:30
Speaker
so then if I'm able to execute it as an athlete if I can do it solo then I'm going to model and demonstrate as close to perfection as possible if it's a skill that I'm unable to complete as an athlete then I pick the best athlete or the most trusted athlete on the team
00:03:48
Speaker
or if it requires one, two, three plus individuals, then I'm going to get them set up and I'm going to walk them through. This is the part of define, walking them through, and then model. So modeling, this is important. You need it to be as close to the speed that your expectation of execution is. So define, we can walk through.
00:04:12
Speaker
Model, it's as close as a picture perfect aspect as we can get it and then have them move through it at that full speed. Then shaping, this is where the coaching is.
00:04:25
Speaker
So we start to shape their movement, shape their their execution, shape their speed, their technique, their urgency, their behavior, anything that my expectation is that I've established within the definition, I've shown within the model.
00:04:41
Speaker
Now we start the clock for the the drill within practice, and we start to shape and coach up that movement. And the final stage is that reinforce. If something is done properly, we're going to reinforce it.
00:04:56
Speaker
We're going to call it out. And if we don't call it out and it's poor technique or poor behavior, you're almost also reinforcing it because you permitted it.
00:05:07
Speaker
right If you permit it, you promote it. So this simple structure, define, model, shape, and reinforce, is how I aim to introduce any drill at practice and then carry over to when I'm presenting and teaching.
00:05:22
Speaker
Defining, I'm going to set up in this movement. Here is the the movement we're going to do. Here's why we're doing it. So give them some purpose behind there. And then modeling. If I'm teaching at a a clinic or a conference, I have the participants show up.
00:05:37
Speaker
And I really have to ah put them in a position to succeed here. If it's individuals that have never done this drill and are stepping up for the first time, define is super important.
00:05:50
Speaker
ah There are times when i i have a complex movement, then I need to define and model at the same time.
Aligning Words with Actions in Coaching
00:05:58
Speaker
which takes a lot of thought and coordination.
00:06:02
Speaker
In teaching, there was a time where I was so focused on define that I would almost go into just this glaze over, think Will Ferrell from old school, a blackout, and the athlete is listening to my cues and they're moving my model, but I'm not watching them move.
00:06:22
Speaker
If they're making correction or they need to make corrections, But guess how people are really learning? They're watching that model. They're not listening to my perfect words. this This is hilarious, but on CrossFit's YouTube page, I used to teach a sports performance-specific seminar for CrossFit.
00:06:40
Speaker
They highlighted our seminar, and I went into that just blackout, old-school mode, and I'm teaching the floor press to an individual and my demo they were not matching their movement with my words and i was in i was in presenter mode and not not coach mode so the individual i was saying the proper cues and direction but the individuals was not necessarily matching them with their movement but what does youtube commenters see they see the movement and then i had all these trolls on crossfit's youtube page just going after me a couple i recall
00:07:20
Speaker
and this is hilarious one is like when did when did cross when did crossfit hire jack black let's say jacked black right fit version the man jv's the man and then the next one it was somebody tell frodo to shut up i'm five seven i got wide feet hobbit feet i get it it's funny at that point i just closed the little laptop and and went away so If you're really interested, they're still up on YouTube. You can check out that FloorPress CrossFit and have yourself a time.
00:07:58
Speaker
Needless to say, this is pre-2020, and this framework of define, model, shape, and reinforce, it's it's also how I would create a feedback loop for myself.
00:08:10
Speaker
So during practice, if I feel that I defined it well, we had a good model between my my captains, my seniors, my experienced team members.
00:08:21
Speaker
And then when it's drill time, three, two, one, go, it is no good, no bueno. It's all over the place. i I'm shaping too much. They were not listening.
00:08:32
Speaker
And I got to kill the gri drill. I got to blow the whistle. Then i think, okay, Time out. Let's redefine this and reestablish my expectations of execution and walk through exactly what I want and want out of this drill.
Modeling Respect in Sports
00:08:51
Speaker
Because if I don't stop it, they're going to continue to reinforce poor mechanics, poor movement, poor principles. if If we're on a ah schematic level,
00:09:02
Speaker
establishment within practice like whatever my drill is so i need to stop it so then i hold the mirror up okay i have to redefine and we're going to make sure that this is as close to perfect as possible for our drill then i make a note within my my practice plan that i have printed out like poor definition as it I probably went into that that mode where I'm just speaking but not watching how my models are moving.
00:09:32
Speaker
And so then I think, OK, that's on me for Define. Now, model, I've really become attuned to watching the the model and and think about, OK, are my words and their movement matching the perfect model?
00:09:48
Speaker
Because mirror neurons, the kids that are watching the demo, they're not listening to my words. they're They're learning by watching that person move and they're going to process and paint this picture within their brain so when it's time for them to move within the drill, they're going to have that picture in their brain and aim to copy it the best they can with their movement.
00:10:11
Speaker
And then coach is there to shape it. A great example within model. is Ken Griffey Jr. swing. It's beautiful. It's perfect. I'm not a baseball coach. I'm not a baseball player.
00:10:24
Speaker
I've played baseball, but i don't have a perfect swing. So if I were to step into teach a drill and I may not have a kid that is skilled enough for the perfect model, I got this beautiful thing called the YouTube. So I'm not going to show them a four press video.
00:10:39
Speaker
I'm to show them Ken Griffey Jr.'s beautiful baseball s swing. And then I'd call timeout and then ah reintroduce the model of perfection if necessary so have the mirror up if they are just but they abominated the drill it's a terrible ah running it's not even close to what I feel I established as rules call timeout I redefine and then with this short window that I have I got a really shape shape coach the hell out of them within that
00:11:11
Speaker
If I, as a ah coach and incapable of modeling said movement, I got picture perfect on YouTube from the professional level or i have the seniors, the captains, the the dudes that have been around a while to then step in and be my demo for that.
00:11:32
Speaker
within there and shaping if if they're not getting it or it's clicking for the guys who have done the drill before but the new guys they're struggling well I need to think about how I'm shaping and coaching this up I'm a big fan of of Nick Winkleman the language of coaching is his book I recall I'm looking right here on my shelf so rule of one coach Winkleman just sends them in with one thing to fix on their next rep That's what we want to focus on.
00:12:03
Speaker
And I'm going to do a a triage effect. What's the one thing that has the biggest impact on their execution from there? um So rule a one within that.
00:12:16
Speaker
And then reinforce again if you permit it. you're promoting it. So that goes for not only movement, ah but also behavior, which working with teenagers and college level athletes, you're going to spend a lot of time shaping their behavior.
00:12:34
Speaker
Now, that's what I feel is very important for a coach to then model this behavior. I'm a big, just, um hate the term where it's do as I say, not as I do.
00:12:48
Speaker
No, from a coach's perspective, yes, I can model perfect movement, but I can also model great posturing. I can great ah model great communication and respect towards ah my teammates, respect towards my competitors that we're going against, and definitely, definitely model how they can communicate to referees.
00:13:12
Speaker
That's highly important. I witness on the opposite sideline coaches lose it. Lose it if a ref makes a bad call and then they go after him with the finger like they are intentionally...
00:13:24
Speaker
ah This referee is intentionally trying to destroy that team. It's like... Calm down. So if a coach is losing his cool against the referees and then calling those referees names, guess what is permitted?
00:13:40
Speaker
And the athletes will see that, okay, well, that's how you can treat the referees. Absolutely not. So aiming to beautiful thing within lacrosse here in Texas, we have rope rewards like awards, end of season awards for character. So which team is displayed the most character and that's voted on by the community. So an opportunity to establish a goal and then modeling and doing everything we can to shape behavior and respect and then reinforce you're
00:14:13
Speaker
Teamwork, I call it when I see it. Whether it's good being a good teammate or respectful to a parent or picking up litter on the not only our sideline but the opposite sideline following a game, all these little things define, model, shape, and reinforce.
Connecting with Modern Athletes
00:14:30
Speaker
Coaches, you've got to be hyper-aware and call out that behavior um to to to put it into perspective. Maybe a kid walks by a water bottle, I pick it up, I'm modeling that behavior, and then either hand it to them to go throw it away, ask them a favor, hey, go throw this away for me, or I walk ahead of them and intentionally put waters into the trash. So I'm i'm modeling, and they they are seeing that. They may not call it out and be aware of it, but they are seeing it.
00:15:01
Speaker
So I just want to highlight this. i I filter my presentations through this mindset. I filter my own personal feedback loop and coaching within that based off what I'm seeing in the drill or the behaviors that we're seeing at the highest levels of stress and competition.
00:15:21
Speaker
And then... Introduce this to any any coach that joins the the coaching staff with me. Introduce this simple filter. And then when they feel that a drill goes wrong or there was a mistake or a miscommunication, we hold the mirror up first. Define, model, shape, reinforce.
00:15:39
Speaker
and leaning so much more into the character if a call doesn't go our way i'm thinking about processing before i lose my cool how can i model the behavior that i want out of the the team that i'm leading there so That's it's it's behavior, it's presentations, it is skill development. Time out. Coach, are you banging your head against the wall trying to motivate athletes who seem mentally soft?
00:16:09
Speaker
You're yelling, they're shutting down. You're punishing, they're checking out. Sound familiar? Here's the thing, the game has changed, but most of the coaching education hasn't caught up yet. They're locked in on teaching programming and not people-ing.
00:16:23
Speaker
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00:16:41
Speaker
That's listen.captainsandcoaches.com. Transform your coaching today.
Urgency and Intent in Drills
00:16:47
Speaker
Now, back to the show. Ready, ready, and ready. Bringing home a little bit, just some bullet points for you to now take into your next session. Think about what block you are defining.
00:16:58
Speaker
In the group fitness space, it's starting on the whiteboard and talking about this. Same at the collegiate level. You're introducing the movements that you're expected to execute.
00:17:10
Speaker
What is your model? Is your model half-assed because you assume that the the athletes have seen this before? With a great define, we equal the intent that we're trying to look for. We want them to move with intent city so they continue to learn and have this this this framework that they can reflect back on. So establishing expectations of execution within defined.
00:17:38
Speaker
Model, now we're creating the exact vision, this ah mirror neurons, this blueprint for them to follow and create a mental model. We're also introducing the urgency, the expectation of executions established in Define, but now where they're getting the direct sense of urgency and speed that you need during the the drill that they're going to step up.
00:18:02
Speaker
Define's more of a walkthrough, model, urgency, intensity with Define. intensity with the model. That's how I want you to think about this.
00:18:13
Speaker
They will do the effort exactly like you. So if you're a coach that is walking through the motion and you say, all right, we're going to do 60 yards just like this, and then you only run 20 yards, they too, most likely at least ah a fraction of the bell curve, will only match 20 because they saw you run 20 yards.
00:18:34
Speaker
All right. So that this is a blueprint principle, crystal clear with the visual models, because that is more likely what they will do rather than your words. But your words are still important because it's establishing the cues that you will coach with during the shape, the expectations of execution.
00:18:57
Speaker
i I'd almost get ahead of it and then pre-write the cues that I'm going to use specifically in my
Confronting Athletes for Growth
00:19:05
Speaker
define. So when it is shape time, I'm only leaning into the the rule of one, but all cues that I've established and defined during the define block.
00:19:15
Speaker
Now for shape, this is this is in a sense coaching. It's also confrontation. So if you permit it, you promote it. This isn't being harsh. It's caring enough to challenge the growth, whether it's movement or behavior that we are shaping.
00:19:35
Speaker
So good confrontation, it decreases the problem and increases, improves your relationship with your athlete. Bad confrontation increases the problem and then hurts the relationship with your athlete.
00:19:50
Speaker
The different lies in intent, timing, and delivery. If they make a mistake, i I need to get ahead of it and give them an action. I'm not a fan of the compliment sandwich.
00:20:00
Speaker
I aim to be direct, but know that I they that i care about them. so that The fact that I am coaching, that to me shows care.
00:20:12
Speaker
So I'm ahm mindful of my tonality and the abruptness and delivery. But if I'm aiming to just give them one versus a whole breakdown of what they did wrong, then guess what? I can direct them and turn that one...
00:20:28
Speaker
one cue into action, into direction to take into the next rep. There's no time for them to get hung up on the emotions of it. Let's just focus on the fix and then hit it the next rep.
00:20:41
Speaker
All right, so think about what you're going to confront. What are you going to allow? there's certain There's certain stars and studs on an athlete, on the team, that are amazing athletes, and they can get away from fundamentals and still find amazing ways to make plays.
00:21:03
Speaker
So what are you going to confront when it comes down to this, and what are you going to allow? that is an interesting dance and it's almost like in my opinion those dudes they earn the opportunity to break fundamentals and shoot sidearm or shoot all these different crazy angles and i mean we see the creativity and flow from these amazing professional athletes but they still have such command and control of their fundamentals patrick mahomes is a a fantastic example of that and
00:21:39
Speaker
ah Kyler Murray like I could go on and on so Some notes on shaping sooner the better one thing at a time and keep them moving if we're moving we're learning Think about how you're organizing the drill how many reps are there getting during the shape time?
00:21:55
Speaker
ah Setting up groups. I need to be in tension with all of that so ah I also like the the praise in public, but I'm not afraid to call somebody out that does know better, but then it's almost positioning them to to shape themselves.
00:22:15
Speaker
So not to shame them, but have them ask them what they were thinking or feeling in that moment. and what if uh did they see the opportunity did they see the other choices or next time you face this what are some options that we could do so i i love that leading in person and and critical thinking in front of the group with my older trusted athletes that's not a shaming thing it's positioning them with a decision very publicly and then we're almost showing the younger classmen how a thought process of a leader goes
Reinforcing Character for Success
00:22:50
Speaker
it's
00:22:51
Speaker
it's ah it's It's in my back pocket just in case with not of the purpose of shaming, with the purpose of teaching and showing and modeling. the younger gentlemen on the team how a a leader thinks through this stuff.
00:23:06
Speaker
And finally, reinforce. I have a a mission, vision, and values for the team. So if I'm reinforcing it, everything is connecting back to ah my reinforcement. Are we outcome oriented are we process oriented?
00:23:20
Speaker
I love the interview I did with UTSA football strength staff, Coach K. We're chasing habits. That's an example of process oriented. and reinforcing a lot of the character and behavior stuff that's going to allow them to be successful as leaders and young adults once their their career ends so a lot here I'm going to continue to explore this but it's just a simple framework in mindset that I take into teaching whether that's teaching on the field during practice or ah teaching during seminars so
00:23:58
Speaker
Define, connect every movement to a greater purpose model. Be the exact blueprint of excellence and integrity. Shape, confront with love, allowing what serves their growth.
Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
00:24:10
Speaker
And last, reinforce, seller celebrate progress while building character. So it's... There's a lot here and it's it goes through my mind constantly. So I'm i'm grateful for ah Coach Miller showing me this framework. I aim to get him on the podcast. He's he's got stories for days.
00:24:33
Speaker
And i was so entertained from him. I mean, this is just one nugget from the all the presentations that he gave. And I want to continue to highlight those lessons and and more.
00:24:43
Speaker
So... Yeah, I've been been holding that that one strong for five years and take it into every single opportunity and day I have with an athlete. All right, a lot here.
00:24:55
Speaker
Thank you for listening. Take this into your practices, into your training sessions, and see where mistakes are are are apparent. Can you trace it back to how you defined, modeled, and are shaping and reinforcing the movement and culture within your team and facility?
00:25:14
Speaker
That does it, guys. Give us a like, subscribe, follow, all that good stuff. Share this with another coach. Leaders lead. So help us out by sharing this with another coach, whether it's quoting or direct link.
00:25:28
Speaker
we' ah We appreciate all of it. We appreciate all of you. Thank you for helping us raise the game. Bye.