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To explain

01.

Talk, show, do

02.

Active involvement

Talk, show, do

The "Talk, Show, Do" principle is a practical approach for coaches and teachers to deliver instructions and lessons more effectively. This method ensures that information is communicated clearly and understood, which is especially important in sports training. Here's a simple explanation of the three components:

1. Talk

  • What is it?
    This is the verbal part of the lesson. You explain what will be done and why it’s important.

  • Why is it important?
    Talking about exercises or techniques helps athletes understand the context and purpose. It provides a clear starting point and focuses attention.

  • Example:
    "Today, we’ll work on our dribbling technique because it will help us handle the ball better and get past opponents."

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2. Show

  • What is it?
    This is the visual part. It can be a demonstration, an illustration, or a video showing how something should be done.

  • Why is it important?
    Many people learn better when they see something in action. A demonstration provides a concrete example of what the exercise or technique should look like.

  • Example:
    Show an experienced player performing the dribbling technique so the athletes can see how it works in practice.

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3. Do

  • What is it?
    This is the practical part. Here, athletes actively practice what they’ve learned and apply the instructions and demonstration.

  • Why is it important?
    Practicing helps athletes develop and improve their skills. It reinforces learning through hands-on experience.

  • Example:
    Have the athletes pair up to practice dribbling and passing the ball to each other. Encourage them to make mistakes and learn from their experiences.

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Why Use the "Talk, Show, Do" Principle?

  • Clarity: Ensures that the instructions are clear and easy to follow.

  • Engagement: Keeps athletes focused and motivated by combining different learning styles.

  • Skill Development: Helps athletes understand, visualize, and practice effectively, leading to better results.

Active involvement

Active involvement means that you don’t just let the children in your group listen, but also let them participate, think along and be an active part of the lesson. Instead of just explaining what to do, let them think for themselves, ask questions and share ideas. This makes children feel more involved, pay better attention and remember the information better.

How does this work in practice?
1. Ask questions: Instead of just telling them, ask questions to get the children thinking. For example, if you are explaining how to catch a ball, you can ask: “Why is it important to keep your hands open?” or “Who can show me how to catch the ball properly?” This makes the children think actively about what they are doing.

2. Let them work in small groups: By having children work together in small groups, they learn from each other. For example, if you are explaining a game, have the children practice in pairs before playing it with the whole group. They can give each other tips and improve together.

3. Use movement or action: With young children, it works well to have them do things physically. Instead of just telling them what to do, have them try something right away. For example, instead of explaining how to dribble, have them experiment with a ball while you give them feedback.

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Example
If you are teaching a lesson about balance, you can first explain why balance is important in sports. Then you can let the children try it themselves by standing on one leg and ask what they feel. Then ask them what happens when they stretch out their arms or close their eyes. This way they think actively and learn by experiencing.

Why does active involvement work?

Children learn better when they discover things for themselves. If they only listen, they remember less of what you have said. By letting them actively participate, they feel more involved and learn by doing, thinking and experiencing. It also ensures that they are less likely to get distracted, because they are actively engaged with the lesson material.

Tip: Make sure you regularly ask everyone questions or give them a chance to do something, so that every child remains involved and no one feels left out.

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