Courtney- Coyle- Ch. 10 and Epilogue

Chapter 10

Summary:

This chapter describes another master coach, Tom Martinez. The author points out a couple of characteristics of Martinez that make him a master coach. For one thing, he cares about the kids he works with, he sees them as people and makes connections with them. His drills are chunked and specific and his feedback follows those same patterns.  

Application: 

As a teacher we need to care about our students first, and foremost, as individuals. In doing so we will be able to tailor our drills/exercises and feedback to their needs. We should also make sure that our exercises and feedback are well designed and target specific needs. We are instrumental in helping our students chunk and streamline their work so they can find themselves in deep practice mode. 

Epilogue

Summary: 

The epilogue first discusses how this understanding of myelin and "The Talent Code" can apply to more areas of our life than just athletic or artistic skills. For example, social and behavioral skills are built in the same way. Growing myelin also plays a large role in staving off the affects of aging and diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. Finally, he shares how he has seen these things in his own life.

Application:

While this chapter was full of great information and ideas, a couple of things really stood out to me for where I am in my life right now. On page 217 he says, "I feel it in a changed attitude toward failure, which doesn't feel like a setback or writing on the wall anymore, but like a path forward." For me, this was one of the most important lessons in the book. It's important to remember that I am going to fail in both my own practicing and as a teacher. I'm going to have days where I make my tongue tighter and don't have great breath support and I'm going to have lessons where I fail to notice what my student needs or give feedback that is too long. These failures are chances to learn and only make it more powerful when I do it get right. Failure is not only inevitable, it's necessary and worthy of celebration.