Research-Based Coaching
Take a pedagogy-first approach to athletic skill-building in any sport.
THE MODEL OF TEACHERS ALSO BEING COACHES is one that has been around since the creation of schools. However, the emphasis on pedagogy and evidence-backed research into engagement and skill acquisition primarily puts its focus inside the classroom. As schools generally, and boarding schools in particular, continue to seek out teachers who also support the student experience by coaching a variety of sports, expanding professional training to coaching duties is essential, increasing the enjoyment, development, and competitiveness of student-athletes. During this five-day residential institute, participants will learn and practice the best methods in skill acquisition and athlete motivation. Whether it be invasion games, one-versus-one, or an individual sport, participants will get a better understanding of the best research-based practices in skill acquisition and work to develop drills, practices, and vision for their sport programs.
Monday
Settle In & Start Strong
Register, get settled in your dorm, meet the cohort for goal-setting, and kick off the week with an introduction to Ecological Dynamics.
Tuesday
Core Pedagogies
Take a deep dive into the Constraints-Led Approach, Differential Learning, and Non-Linear Pedagogy.
Wednesday
Practice Design
Create and workshop drills and practice plans rooted in an ecological framework.
Thursday
Motivation and Engagement
Explore athlete motivation through Self-Determination Theory and learn how practice design can boost enjoyment, competition, and overall performance.
Friday
Refine and Reflect
Collaborate with peers, gather feedback on your vision and practice plans, reflect on the week, and head home energized by new ideas and new connections.
Meet Your Facilitators
Daniel Dunn
Dan Dunn has spent the past six years as a history teacher and a coach at every level. During this time, he dedicated much of his energy to growing the game of lacrosse in Kentucky and throughout the Midwest. His coaching career includes multiple high school state championships and successful seasons at the collegiate level with Transylvania University. He has also worked extensively with travel programs, coaching athletes from elementary through high school with an emphasis on skill development and recruitment.
Dan attributes much of his success to a shift in his understanding of skill acquisition — an approach that has transformed basketball and is now influencing other sports. Moving away from the path-dependent coaching of his own childhood and toward an “Ecological Dynamics” framework has enhanced both his coaching effectiveness and his enjoyment of the game, as well as the development and engagement of his athletes.
Today, Dan works with multiple lacrosse programs to help them adopt this research-based approach, and he hopes to inspire coaches of all sports, ages, and experience levels to do the same.