Principal Skinner

Principle Skinner, a character from the TV show named "The Simpsons', is in principle, a principal. Even if it was not in his name, with a reasonable knowledge of the characters of the show, any person would be able to place that he is indeed the principle of the school, Springfield Elementary. There is no distinct need to intimately understand the show to develop this nugget of understanding.

In principle, this can be applied to coaching. Whilst we may not know everything there is to know about the sport, with some knowledge of the key principals, we can apply the principals and become successful coaches. By understanding the roles of certain characters in the soap opera that is sport, we can understand what motivates them, and hence have a glimspe through the window of how to manipulate them. We are coaches, and surely we have a competitive streak, no?

How can this be applied to coaching then? Pick up a Sherrin, the official ball of Australian Rules Football, and quite an ingrained image of the sport itself. On no part of the ball does it say kick me here, or to pass me with your hands you have to punch me with one hand whilst cupping me with the other. But, with a reasonable understanding of the game, this knowledge has been achieved.

Further, the aim of the game is to kick the ball between two big sticks to achieve 6 points, and because AFL was created by such nice blokes even if you miss they'll still give you a singular point if you get it between the smaller sticks. By simply knowing this principle, and with some applied thought, a game plan can be developed Kick to W, leave X open, move through Y and lead to Z. Finish it off with A. Go. It may not be the strongest game plan such as the shifting zone the Geelong Cats played during 2009, but it is none the less a game plan and you, by instructing the team in the details of this, are indeed a coach.

Sure, knowledge of the rules is also essential. but as an umpire myself I have read the AFL rule book many a time. It's not that hard of a read, and in fact would be very useful for many players and coaches to read. It's not very thick, and nor is it entirely theoretical. It's fact. Whilst there may be some meaning to what is being displayed out in front of you, it is largely black and white.

This shows that by simply knowing some simple principles, some rules, and some concepts of the game, you too can become the principal of your school.

A pedagogic understands.