“Every learning style needs a different approach”
In our article series about individual tactics, we established a basic framework about the different concepts within individual tactics. Think about the whole process of the individual tactics, perception, decisions, and execution. But just knowing this process is not enough. We have to know how we’re going to teach an individual tactic most efficiently and effectively possible so that the players learn it in the best possible way.
Throughout the next couple of articles, we will outline how we teach an individual tactic at Tactalyse. We will talk about the different teaching styles, how players learn and what pitfalls there are in learning an individual tactic.
We start with what learning styles there are because the way someone learns says a lot about the player’s personality. It’s also important in how you’re going to teach a player a new skill. Every learning style needs a different approach. We, therefore, start with outlining the different learning styles, from here you can decide how you’re going to teach the player.
The 7 styles of learning
Let’s start with a basic outline of the different learning styles and ways to present information to people. There are seven ways of learning new information:
1. Visual learning
2. Aural
3. Verbal (linguistic)
4. Physical
5. Logical
6. Social
7. Solitary
Visual Learning is based on getting the information presented through visuals, this can be diagrams, pictures, videos, or anything else visual.
If a player prefers an Aural learning style then he likes to hear the information. This can be achieved through letting him listen to audio, but taking part in a group discussion works very well for these types of learners as well.
Verbal (linguistic) learners are good with words, they like to read, write or speak about the information to understand it in the best possible way.
Physical learning is based on doing the thing that you need to learn. These learners are often regarded as do-ers.
Logical learning style is based on recognizing patterns and seeing the whole concept of something. These learners often need to see the bigger picture first.
Social learners are people who learn through interaction with other people.
Solitary learners are the opposite of social learners, they like to be alone and let their mind wander about the information and completely understand it in this way.
Believe it or not but football players are just like normal people and have different ways of learning that fit best for their personalities. In general, there are four different learning personalities. These are the KOLB personality learning styles.
You have the accommodators, these players are the do-ers. They go out on the field and try different things until they found out how it is done. They find out through trial and error.
Then there are the divergers, these players are good at seeing how something is done and then breaking it down into small pieces to learn every piece until they manage to do It completely.
The assimilators need strong theories and clear explanations when learning new things. They prefer facts and figures, therefore it can be smart to show these types of learners the data on a subject.
Convergers will think about things and then go out and do it. They want to know how something works in real life to understand the theory.
Each of these learning personalities responds best to different ways of presenting the information. But in general and after many studies we can conclude that the retention percentage of information that’s given to players through these different learning styles are like this:
At Tactalyse we try to be in the Kinesthetic part of the pyramid. We will show the video clip (20%), after that we will discuss by asking questions (50%), and if needed we will demonstrate to the player how it’s done (30%). Then at the end of the session, we will ask the player to recap and if needed we will add information, this is the start of “the teach others” part of the pyramid (90%). Sometimes we will give them points to train on in practice (75%).
By asking questions and observing the language and body language of players you find out what type of learner the player is. What types of questions does the player respond to best, what types of answers does the player give, which types of words does he use. There are very small cues in these answers. A player can for example only talk about the ball, the opponent, or maybe only his teammates. But also how do they look at their video clips and what responses they give to you as a coach.
Think about the different learning personalities of Kolb we talked about earlier. An accommodator will give a lot of answers that are related to trying to do it in real life, the player will get different solutions to try out. A diverger will break the individual tactic down into small pieces, a more detailed description and from there come with a solution. The assimilator will respond well to seeing the theory being substantiated by facts and good examples. While a converger might be a bit quiet and think about it in his head, and all of a sudden it clicks.
So with this information, you can adjust the teaching styles you use as a player. You first find out what kind of learner he is, this is something you get experienced in through doing a lot of sessions with different players. You listen to the words they use and through their body language how they respond to different types of problems. In the next article, we will tell about the different teaching styles that you can use on the different types of learning personalities.
Summary
In this article, we write about the learning styles of football players. In general, there are seven ways of learning new information, these are:
1. Visual learning
2. Aural
3. Verbal (linguistic)
4. Physical
5. Logical
6. Social
7. Solitary
Every football player has his preferences on which way of learning works best for him. In general, there are four different types of learning personalities.
- The accommodators, these players are the do-ers. They find out through trial and error.
- The divergers, these players break things down into small pieces and learn every piece until they manage to do It completely.
- The assimilators, like strong theories and clear explanations. They want to see facts and figures.
- The convergers, these players will plan in their head and then try it out in real life.
These learning personalities like to be approached in different ways, with different teaching styles. But something that became clear from research is the retention pyramid.
At Tactalyse we try to be in the Kinesthetic part of the pyramid. Mainly through discussion. To know your players well and what kind of learning style he has. You have to ask questions and observe (body) language of players. Each learning personality has it’s own characteristics, which you will spot easier when you get more experience. In the next article, we will talk about which teaching styles to use in general and with the specific learning personalities.
