Brain Centered Learning
In March this year the BBC reported about the “Cracking coachings final frontier” , an article based on the theories created around brain centered learning and more specifically the methods used by Michel Bruyninckx to integrate brain centered learning with football. The general idea being to “multitask” the brain.
The article and the interest it generated urged me to meet with the man that has brought a new way of thinking to the way we coach.
“His drills start off simply but become increasingly more complicated to challenge players’ focus and maintain their concentration.”
A process that I have often considered as the simple design of coaching
When I was with my first coaching school, we used to describe the process as simply “ABC”, that you could not get to “C” without “A” and “B” and that once you had worked out “A” to “Z” you could then start creating words and sentences.
The idea is simple and logical, what Michel has done is ensure that as soon as the drill becomes “easy”, it is made more difficult enough that it needs to be thought about.
He does this by ensuring both feet are being used, that players turn in different directions and even different sized footballs may be used developing a players sensory perception.
“Sometimes players train in bare feet to make them more “sensorially” aware; at other times they would play simple maths games while doing physical conditioning work.
Bruyninckx emphasises teamwork ahead of individualism, while aggression is frowned on – players do not wear shinpads – with tackling seen as the last solution to recover the ball.”
He was recently made the Academy Director at Standard Liege, turning down interest from Real Madrid to be close to his family.
To give you a good idea of what I am talking about here, have a look at his presentation of the “Bruyninckx method” here.
Lola
Gee willireks, that’s such a great post!
Lovie
Last one to utilize this is a rtoten egg!
Lorena
I’m out of league here. Too much brain power on dsipaly!
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