The Super 7 Strategies

Here are the Super Seven Strategies that are discussed in Coaches’ Toolbox and Grassroots Coaching. The Super Seven Strategies are connected to each individual's learning. As coaches, we utilize these techniques to engage our players and enhance our learning environment.

These techniques are not separate from one another. In fact, as you use one of them, it is natural for others to pop up to carry on the learning process.

1. Primacy – The first time you do something is very important.

2. Recency – The latest time that you do something is also very important.

3. Repetition – Practicing correctly will create improved performance.

4. Reinforcement – Using the basic reward system to maintain your progress.

5. Awareness – Knowing and using the whole picture.

6. Achievement – Reaching the goals that you set for yourself.

7. Closure – Completing tasks so that you can move on to new ones.

During the next seven weeks we will be presenting each of these strategies with more descriptions and examples.

These strategies will flow together in a very natural way. You’ll be asking a player to be aware of the situation (#6) and then use a closure (#7) so his brain has time to deal with it before you move on to another issue. None of these strategies is better than the others; each of them is simply more appropriate relative to the learners and to the skills or knowledge that are to be learned. You can’t teach your 7 year olds the full court zone press regardless of how good a coach you are.

Players come to play with a lot of experiences that are related to the game. Now they will be learning how to use those as skills in some new ways. As we expand on and highlight each habit-forming strategy, we will be having the co-ed softball Falcon players learn new skills and improve on old skills. Then we’ll connect each strategy with other sports and even offer up some ideas and hints to apply right away to improve your practice.

In upcoming weeks, we’re going to put Head Coach Marianne Ames and assistant coaches Sara Garcia and Glen Tracy to work teaching their Falcon players while you look on.

Join us as we join the Falcons. A fantastic journey ahead!