Put simply, “coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.”(John Whitmore, in Coaching for Performance).For our third installment of Top Tips, we asked the Les Mills Asia Pacific (LMAP)Trainer team to bring their attention to the third key element: coaching.
“Often as we get more knowledgeable as teachers we start to say too much, learn when you have said enough and be content to sit within the music” Libby says. Josh adds, “educative coaching has become more simplified and direct. There's no 'fluff' in layer 1 Coaching – get to the point. Don't ask them if they can do something'can you turn your chest and extend your arm?'Tell them! 'Turn your chest’.”
“Know the track purpose,” Karen adds, “finding an understandingof what the Program Director was trying to achieve in the workout and why they choreographed it that way, then script layer 2 cues to match the track focus.”
Shelley suggests,“reading all the coaching information and tips in the choreography notes. Les Mills are conducting quality research by industry professionals and this is all there for us to access. Read everything and you will have an abundance of relevant education material for the next 3-months.”
“Understanding why you do everything and never forget layer 1. It is crucial,” saysInge “ask questions of yourself and learn to problem solve, you are in the driver’s seat of your journey as an instructor. When you understand what you are saying and why, you will come across as authentic and inspire other people through your knowledge.”
“Never stop learning,” is Dee’s suggestion “attend workshops, listen to other instructors, watch relevant educational sessions given to you on every release, watch master-classes and don't be afraid to explore new ways of saying things. Sometimes your coaching won't land but that is success in itself because you know what to say differently next time.”
Contributors (and where you will see them in action at Q3 Workshops 2017)
Libby Howard RPM, BORN TO MOVE & BODYBALANCE Trainer/Presenter
QLD (Gold Coast): 26 August
QLD (Jindalee): 27 August
Josh Wilms BODYJAM & SH’BAM Presenter
VIC (Nunawading): 20 August
Perth: 27 August
Karen Russell BODYPUMP Head Program Coach, RPM Trainer/Presenter
NSW (Newcastle): 19 August
QLD (Gold Coast): 26 August
QLD (Jindalee): 27 August
Shelley Townsend BODYVIVE Head Program Coach, BODYSTEP & BODYBALANCE Trainer/Presenter
NSW (Campbelltown): 19 August
NSW (Macquarie Uni & Sydney Central): 20 August
Inge Gnatt BODYBALANCE Head Program Coach
VIC (Werribee): 19 August
VIC (Nunawading): 20 August
Perth: 27 August
Dee Tjeong RPM & SPRINT Presenter
NSW (Newcastle): 19 August
NSW (Macquarie Uni): 20 August
QLD (Sunshine Coast): 26 August
QLD (Brisbane North): 27 August
