Sports Games as a Viable Coaching Tool

[RaychelSnr]

With games becoming more and more complex while also becoming more and more realistic, some coaches have begun to take notice and use the games as a tool to teach their players the finer points of some sports. Christian McLeod takes a look at why the coaches not on board should begin to consider sports games as a viable coaching tool.

"After watching Little Giants over the weekend, I couldn’t help but wonder if sports games can indeed be used as viable coaching tools.

For those of you who haven’t seen the movie (shame on you), the story follows a team of misfit 10- and 11-year-olds known as the Giants. The Giants are coached by Danny O’Shea (played by everyone’s favorite '90s funnyman Rick Moranis), who must coach against the city’s powerhouse Pee Wee Team coached by his former NFL star brother Kevin (played by Al Bundy, aka Ed O’Neill)."

[bullfan#1]

why are we talking about this we need to talk about the 2k9 demo and why is not still out the hell with the little giants

[Syphon]

Excellent article Christian. I personally owe a lot of my knowledge of the game of Basketball to media. In my 20 years of playing and coaching the sport I've only had two coaches, the first was when I was in under 12's and the second was early in my senior playing years. Everything else I learnt in my early years in the sport from either reading books, watching games on TV or playing console sports.

I've since gone on to acquire varying levels of coaching qualifications, participated in skill camps etc. but I can't deny that video games have played their role.

[ChaseB]

why are we talking about this we need to talk about the 2k9 demo and why is not still out the hell with the little giants

Haha, awesome first comment. +1

[swetooth9]

yea, wehre's the nba 2k9 demo????

anyway, i learned pretty much all i know about football from NFL street 1, nfl street 2, madden, and ncaa football 09

[ehh]

Re: Sports Games as a Viable Coaching Tool

Video games can help you learn some basics of a given sport and give you a better understanding of that sport but I don't believe they're a good coaching tool. Video games only hit the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to team strategy and there is very little to learn in terms of individual fundamentals.

I guess if you have no other means to learn the game it's better than nothing but it pales in comparison to playing the sport, going to camps, getting coaching, reading books, etc.

[boomhauertjs]

Re: Sports Games as a Viable Coaching Tool

Romeo Crennel needs to play some Madden (or Head Coach) so that he can learn how to manage his timeouts better.