Solving Movement Problems

Zach Snyder wrote: “In your book "Athletic Development," you have a wonderful chapter on Movement Aptitude and Balance. Can you describe some of your strategies for teaching movement awareness. On page 146 you say to give athletes movement problems to solve that will enable them to discover movement skills. Can you give some examples of this? Thanks for your book, it is great!”

Zach it is pretty simple actually. For example you tell the person that they have to get from point A to Point B as fast as possible. Put three obstacles that they must traverse that prevent them form going from going from A to B. Let them figure it out. They may have to climb over one obstacle, crawl under another and jump over something. Let them figure it out and then when they are finished debrief them and ask them why they what they did. If you want to add pressure, then add a time element.

Make it a game. With kids have them imitate animals. Make it reflexive, not cognitive. Playful is best, make it FUNdamental, believe they will figure it out.