MULTIMEDIA DESIGN FOR TACTICAL PLAY LEARNING AMONG ELITE SPORT PRACTITIONERS

Coaches are responsible for teaching Players how to play a sport at incremental levels and should communicate in a context appropriate to the Player’s learning style [1][2]. One of the key building blocks of the coaching process identified by [3] Lyle is performance analysis; where the ability of a coach to assess performance, diagnose problems, and give corrective technical information to players is central to effective coaching. Furthermore, coaches must not only address how to improve player performance but also how best to communicate and enhance learning of complex team strategies and tactics.

This study highlights the potential for Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) to support the teaching and learning of team tactics and strategy. Teaching tactics and strategy are traditional elements of coaching pedagogy based on GBA and TGfU theoretical models. However implementation by coaches in practice is shown to be unsatisfactory. Research [4] by Kinnerk suggests lack of resources, support, education, and training as key factors. In this context the increased integration of TEL tools is proposed as a potential key driver of change in coach education. Learners respond well to technology and see it as an appropriate tool for learning. The Internet is also identified as a driver of change. It is seen as a conduit to connect a community of learners and educators and as a source of coaching content. It is therefore logical to suggest that the digital content used with TEL tools (ie Digital Media based coaching drills/assets) should meet appropriate design principles aimed at enhancing learning. Richard Mayers Multimedia Learning Principles are highlighted as potential models for guiding educators in this regard [5].

The study focuses specifically on the challenge of coaching Invasion Games team strategy and tactics. It does so through a forensic review of contemporary literature in the area and by undertaking a comprehensive survey of 215 practitioners in the sport of Gaelic Football in Ireland to assess their experiences, perspectives and attitudes regarding coaching and TEL in practice. Consequently, the results of the study, as well as guiding learners and educators, can potentially also be used to guide future coaching pedagogy design and practice in the sports coaching domain.