Conscious learning and the distance shot

Conscious[1] learning with the help of technical specifications to improve the distance shot.

Shooting is a move-action with as its purpose scoring goals. If the shooter decides to shoot. The execution of the shot should be accurate.  The development of this accuracy can be improved using technical specifications. Conscious learning using technical specifications during practice, creates a different shooting situation than that of typical match-play. Its main goal is to specify the shooting technique, by being aware of the movement and following coaching instructions. Instructions that come with quite a few additional benefits.

 

There are large benefits to consciously approaching shooting in training. In a competitive situation’s players depend on their learned movement to shoot unconsciously. The goal of a conscious approach is to make the player aware of their movements by switching back to a consciously competent mindset. If the player does this with attention, i.e., focused, the player can improve the accuracy of the shot through practice.  Raymond Verheijen acknowledges when arguing that: “The assistance of the consciousness should be called upon to arrive at more (consciously) competent actions. The conscious thoughts of the player might provide top-down guidance by the coach. Hopefully, consciousness about what someone does wrong will give that final last nudge for a player to eventually perform competent actions after all.’’

During training tempo should not be the primary factor. Initially, conscious practice can be performed without defenders. Creating a situation with little resistance allows everyone to shoot at their own pace and in their own rhythm. This is important if the main goal is to improve shot accuracy.

Over time resistances similar to match type situations can be introduced. This should occur step by step through a constraints-led-approach. A constraints-led-approach builds up resistance. Conscious shooting can start with an opponent hindering the shooter, later resistance could be increased as opponents might defend the shooting player. A gradual increase of resistance can provide additional benefits. Below I specify 7:

1.    Balance: Shots made during matches and training can suffer when the player has insufficient balance while shooting. The balance of a shooting player can be poor for at least two reasons: (a) The pass can be inaccurate. In these situations, the shooting player must adjust their movement; (b) the shooting player poorly receives or catches the ball. This leaves the player poorly positioned to shoot (i.e., not in line with the post). In these cases, the final step prior to shooting is too big or too small in relation to the shooter's running speed or when they find themselves impeded by defender. Coaches can see whether the shooter's poor balance is to do either with ball flight errors (a) or bodily movement errors (b). To train these consciously can be done by focussing attention on issues like balance direction, speed, distance, high arc, wrist-action. The final goal should be that a shooter, in a situation where he steps out, gets well balanced by holding the centre of gravity above the supporting leg. Then he is in balance (collected) to make an accurate shot.

2.            Eye contact with the korf: There are many studies available on this subject (See articles: ‘Quiet eye’). One of the main foci is the necessary time the shooter needs to see the korf prior to shooting. The level (head or chest) from which the ball is released, can influence the eye contact with the korf. Awareness about this is important as players release the ball from different heights. Top There are many studies available on this subject. (See articles: ‘Quiet eye’) It is often focusing on the amount of time; a shooter needs eye contact at the korf. The height (head or chest) from which the ball is released. There is a difference with many players, at which the shot is launched in the height. Top korfball players should hoot the ball from high up (e.g., forehead). This has been a recent development as not too long ago most players shot from the chest level. The main reason behind this evolution of the game is the changed method of defence that has made it critical for players to shoot from the head.  The changed context in which shooting occurs has affected the execution of the shot. 

3.            Line to the korf: Players are sloppy in attempting to actively improve the line of their shot. Notably, players tend to immediately know when their shot misses the korf through the feedback when the ball leaves their hands. This tends to result in cries of displeasure from the player. Players that are conscious of this should correct their shot feeding forward the results of previous attempts.

4.   Backspin: Michiel Gerritsen[2] was a famous Dutch player who shot accurately with back spin. When I asked him about his shooting movement, he told me the following: “I think my backspin on the ball developed from watching Taco Poelstra[3]. He shot from a long distance away and I wanted to do the same. However, because I was short - I only really started growing age 15 - I needed to shoot the ball from my middle using a ‘slingshot’ movement. This required a strong wrist action and allowed me to create quite some length even when I was small.

During the 90’s, this was no longer possible, as shooting from the chest took too much time. For this reason, I taught myself to shoot from a higher position. However, I kept the wrist action. While shooting within 7 metres from the korf I would look under the ball. These shots were the most efficient as I could always see the korf. When shooting from beyond it was more tough. I think this was because how the backspin and ball flight happened. The shot would be further and so I used a lower arc and this, in combination with the spin I created through my wrists, meant my shots were less successful. I still think that if it is possible to shoot from beyond 7 meters with a higher arc efficiency would go up.

I still touch the ball last with my thumbs on the ‘bottom’ of the ball.  The starting position I use is a bit higher on the sides of the ball than specified in theory pictures teaching you how to shoot. I also squeeze the ball a little harder. That is why I always wanted a softer ball than one of those smooth hard balls the referees always wanted 😊. My elbows were also closer to my body. I think my hand movement is most comparable to when you want to splash water from your hands into someone's face, as a joke. Ideally, eight fingers should be pointing upwards and my two thumbs towards the korf. However, due to bodily movement, opponent, and imbalance, I often adjusted the end phase. Because of the starting hand position, the ball above my eyes, and the wrist action I could adjust late and even find the opportunity to step back to find the perfect balance. I experimented a lot with backspin. In the end I chose to give less spin to the ball. When used excessively spin is not ideal. Now the synthetic korf has been introduced the bounce of the ball on the korf has become more uniform, but still matters a lot. When we played using the rotan korf - unless it was raining outside - I got away shooting with more spin. On the synthetic korf, less spin is more convenient, I think. For me, however, the advantage was that I could 'release' the ball through the wrist action and the phase of holding the ball with more feeling, to get a higher scoring chance.”

 

5.            Arc: The ball must follow an arc. The arc is the curved line between hands and the korf. The length of the arc, between hands and the korf, is easier to estimate if the arc ends at the korf between 25 and 45 degrees. This concerns both the short shot and the long shot. A shot with an arch of more than 45 -90 degrees will go through the korf easily but is more difficult to 'measure' and therefore more difficult to execute. Obviously, this does not apply to running-in shot or shots from near the korf.  The end of the arc is of value to the shooter as feedback. Too short, too long, right, or left from the korf are all information to be applied to a next shot.

6.            Completing the shot movement: The speed given to the ball is the result of a total bodily movement. A sum of stretching through joints that starts at the feet and ends at the hands. In connection with balance, this is often handled carelessly.

7.            Finish: Shooting in korfball is pointing after the shot, but only for a moment, a fraction of a second. After the shot, the shooter is expected to immediately move to another position, depending on how he/she can further participate in the attacking game. In any case, the defender must remain engaged in the 1-1, so that no ball can be intercepted. Korfball is not a sport of moving in long lines, it is a sport of acceleration and deceleration (slowing down) and changes of direction to get into a free position. 

If korfball players understand these instructions, they can learn why in most cases shot accuracy does not improve through repetition in match play.  Although most shooters train shooting only with a drill method, it is probably more accurate to learn also by the differential method.  Every shot needs a narrow focus related to the above instructions. If it is possible for a shooter to make two shots in a row, it is usually repetition without repetition.

 Top players have learned to launch every shot with a so-called narrow focus[4]. Free running and well-timed passing are related to a wide focus. Top players become or are top shooters by switching. They can switch from a wide focus to a narrow focus. Top shooters do not get distracted after receiving the ball, the shot movement is consistent (even). They are greatly confident and do not get distracted by anything.  They learned this during trainings by focusing all attention on ball and korf as soon as they shoot. Shoot, shoot, shoot but consciously!

 

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[1] The four stages of learning skills, according to Maslow: 1. Unconscious Incompetence, 2. Conscious Incompetence, 3. Conscious Competence, 4. Unconscious Competence.

 

[2]   Michiel played 47 matches for the Dutch National Team. He was stopped prematurely with korfball due to knee ligament injuries.

[3] Taco played 45 matches for the Dutch National Team. In 2000 the IKF already organised an election "Korfballer of the Century".  The winner of this election was Taco Poelstra.

[4] See Nideffer, The four quadrants: Internal narrow; external narrow; Internal broad; external broad.