Thursday, July 13, 2023

Winning an Uphill Battle Against Biology

"Coaches see everything." We don't. Never have, never will. Coaches don't read minds.

Within the framework of skill, strategy, physicality, and psychology, we speculate on maturity. 

Sometimes, coaches mentally 'coin flip' on A versus B, Annie versus Barbie, based on our perception of maturity and its impact on attitude, choices, and effort.

Read this short article. Maybe you'll see how it applies. Highlights:

"The brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid-to-late 20s. The part of the brain behind the forehead, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last parts to mature. This area is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and making good decisions.

The emphasis on peer relationships, along with ongoing prefrontal cortex development, might lead teens to take more risks because the social benefits outweigh the possible consequences of a decision. These risks could be negative or dangerous, or they could be positive, such as talking to a new classmate or joining a new club or sport.

Most teens do not get enough sleep. Research shows that the sleep hormone melatonin works differently in teens. Melatonin levels stay high later at night and drop later in the morning, which may explain why teens may stay up late and struggle with waking up early."

1) Human development won't excuse bad judgment. Rule following can help.

2) Reflective (versus reflexive) thinking helps weigh risks and benefits.

3) Get more sleep. 

Lagniappe. Match arm speed to ball speed. 

Lagniappe 2. Regular ball skill must follow weighted ball training. 


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