Getting Serious

Clinics are always a great idea, sadly never well supported as people would rather spunk money on goggle straps and crap hanging off their belts or packs, or buying the latest this and the latest that than learn. Clinics run by the right people will help no end, period.

But

What happens when you get to the event? What the UK lacks is a coach that can read games (talking x ball here) and make real time changes during games to counter teams. My point is your x ball team may have a decent level of skill maybe even better than your opposition but if the other guys have a smart coach who can call plays to counter you in terms of laning and breakouts then my money will be on them. How many times do we see teams with big point leads turn matches around? Is it because the players suddenly get better? Nope, it's because someone from the outside who is smart and can read games instigates changes to how they play and where to shoot off the break. The ability to adapt and to adapt quick enough.

Getting the likes of Paul over for a clinic is part 1, part 2 is paying him or someone HE recommends to coach you at the event

I hear what you say, and id also agree that Paul is one of, if not the best paintball mind in the world. What he has done with damage and his blog is evidence of this. I definitely got a huge amount out of the clinic/ training session he did with us in the states a couple of years ago before world cup.

I agree also that having an american coach would be massively beneficial, but name me one of the top three UK teams right now that has a non player coach, who calls the line, the play, and watches and analyses the game from behind the netting? Im not denying that a player/captain/coach can do a great job, but how can you tell exactly what is going on with every play, every player, every point when you are focusing also on playing yourself and your own job on the field?

as for the way we play, I am not denying we have extremely talented players in the UK. but if you look at the top teams in the PSP, they all train against each other on a regular basis. Playing better players and teams is paramount of a team is going to improve. Of course there are exceptions, such as the legion, and joy- who have/had no other big teams to train against in their vicinity. and to an extent and with a lot of sucess they make up for this with their individual core skill levels, name me a team that practices running and shooting, lane shooting, snapshooting, first shot accuracy etc in the world more than those two teams?

which brings me to my next point- drills. maybe only two of the top mills teams in the UK right now do drills on a regular basis.

as for the point about Polar Bears, i dont know where dave got the idea they didnt have their russian legion players for the first event was, they certainly did. it looked like they had a lot of paint issues that event. sure having max as a coach must have helped massively, but those two players made a huge impact on that team.

I agree also that having an american coach would be massively beneficial, but name me one of the top three UK teams right now that has a non player coach, who calls the line, the play, and watches and analyses the game from behind the netting? Im not denying that a player/captain/coach can do a great job, but how can you tell exactly what is going on with every play, every player, every point when you are focusing also on playing yourself and your own job on the field?


Erm.....Well I can't name one because that was my point !! Clinics are step 1 and then a designated coach, again the likes of Paul is part 2.
The nuts and bolts of it is, in my opinion, the UK hasn't got a coach yet that can coach to the same degree as Paul or someone of a similar standard. If there was someone qualified to coach to this standard then they have to want to do it as well, giving up weekends, travelling etc which is a whole different issue.

Sorry i didn't read your post, was purely replying to "plenty'o'toole's" comment on my original post, but 100% yes- it seems all the top US teams have non player coaches (paul TBD, jason heat, todd infamous, RL max etc, dynasty did have mike, now rusty, ironmen skinny kevin- the list goes on) all these guys played at the top of the game at one time..

The problem in question is as you say, there are a lack of this calibre of coaches. its a massive sacrifice of time and effort as you also stated, there is a distinct lack of people "qualified" that are still around/ interested in performing such a role.. how many ex pro players are there around willing to give up the time and money to coach a top 5 UK team? there aren't any UK teams (with the possible exception of nexus) that have the money to pay a full time non player coach i wouldn't have thought, and that being said its a lot of money for the coach in question to sacrifice as well, travel and hotels for at least 4 events in Europe, and training maybe 35-40 weekends of the year? i guess i'm just reiterating what you have said, but I cant see any UK teams paying for an american coach any time soon.

the non player coaches on aforementioned top UK teams take more of an organisational role; which while much needed, once the players step through the netting, they are on their own..

so in the mean time, how can we step up?

Did you manage to speak to Yorkie Twizz? I'd happily attend a clinic of yours at Bricketwood.

I also know that Jason Wheeler is doing a clinic at Bricketwood on the 27th of this month which I would love to go to if it wasn't for work commitments...

Nailed this whole thread in 6 lines.

The UK doesn't have anybody, it's as black and white as that.

Paul Richards is the man when it comes to lines, plays etc, without his clinic at CFP we wouldn't have taken 4th at WC in 2010.

But... I think teams would only benefit from a clinic with the likes of Paul if it was on a specific layout of an up coming Millennium. If you're looking for somebody to tell you how to run and gun, snap shoot, break shoot etc then there are a handful of players in the UK who would show you the correct way and be willing to give you pointers to work on for free.

The trouble I've seen over the past few years is people with no clue giving newer players the wrong advice, which obviously has a knock on.

Another thing I personally think is a problem with UK teams is that they play out of their depth.
Everybody wants to play at the highest level they can, but there must be a point when reality has to kick in and you see that the only consistent result you're getting is not making it past your prelim group.

Twizz ECI, I`m asking ?? if you can ,at our own site " Bearsville " I think It`s a bout time we had a Pro Trainer,
I Make No mistake here mate, That`s how you`ve always come across to me.
Please when you have time Pm me. . Bluey :- Teams > Care Bears.