Athlete centered, coach led.

Athlete, Coach or Performance led MDT approach. Different models could lead to very different results, both in terms of process and outcome. As technical/tactical domain specific experts, can we better support and prepare coaches to work within OR as part of an MDT?

  • Should the MDT performance model be coach, athlete or performance led?
  • If coach led, does it positively or negatively effect MDT dynamics?
  • When coach led, can power dynamics limit the ability of athlete and MDT to innovate?
  • How much of the rich information that the coach receives be conveyed (athlete to MDT and vise versa)?
  • How important is the knowledge of the coach beyond technical/tactical when they lead the process?
  • Is there a risk that the athletes growth and development becomes blunted by the limitations of the coach?
  • Does placing (1) performance at the centre of the process and (2) positioning the coach as part of the holistic MDT approach change the dynamics within the team (planning; intervention weighting; level if individualisation; filtering)? and…
  • Could this empower the athlete to be an even greater stake holder in their own programme and development?
  • In which model is individual accountability highest?
  • What knowledge, skills and development does a coach need to lead OR be part of the MDT? Is technical/tactical knowledge useful when managing an MDT?