2019 Training Report | KirkcudbrightCurling

2018/2019 SEASON – END OF SEASON TRAINING REPORT

INTRODUCTION

At the 2018 AGM, the Club agreed to establish a training programme for the 2018/2019 season and based on the previous season’s feedback, including the expansion of Fixed Rink Team Training and the introduction of Specialist Position sessions as part of the programme. This document provides the End of Season Training Programme Report for the 2018/2019 season.

COMPLETED SESSIONS

A total of 78 training sessions (compared to 50 in season 17/18) were held, broken down as detailed below:

- Two Back on the Ice Sessions.
- Twenty-Two Club General Training Sessions.
- Forty-Two Fixed Rink Team Rink Training Sessions.
- Four Specialist position Training Sessions.
- Two Stick Delivery Sessions.
- Three Points Competition Practice / Competition Sessions.
- One Tactics Evening.
- One Curling Quiz Night.
- One Bonspiel / Away Day at Stranraer.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel 3 General Training Sessions due to lack on numbers. The Training Sessions on the 9th of January, the 13th of February and the 20th of February were cancelled.

The completed number of Club General Training Sessions was 19 sessions. Therefore, the numbers of completed sessions on the Training Programme was 75 rather than the programmed 78.

ATTENDANCE / UPTAKE

Across the 75 Completed Training Sessions a total of 511 training slots were filled with Kirkcudbright Club Members. Additionally, 4 slots were filled by visitors from other clubs (Christmas Bonspiel). The numbers are broken down below with last season’s numbers in brackets for comparison.

Club General Training. There were 23 completed General Club Training Sessions (including the back on the ice sessions, the Tactics Evening, Quiz, Bonspiel at Stranraer and the end of season Points Competition).

- The Average Attendance per completed Session over the season was 10.36 (9.85), but that includes the tactics evening – 28 (23) attended, the Quiz – 26 (26) attended, the Bonspiel where 33 (23) attended and the end of Season Points Competition where 29 slots were filled (not measured last season).

- A total of 42 (34) Club members attended 1 or more General Club Training sessions/events.

- Of that 42 Club members, a total of 23 (22) members went on to attended 5 or more sessions/events.

- Of that 23 Club members, a total of 8 (12) members went on to attended 10 or more sessions/events.

Fixed Rink Team Rink Training. There were 42 Fixed Rink Team Training Sessions.

- The Average Attendance per Session over the season was 4.11 (3.89) curlers per session.

- A total of 33 (17) Club members attended 1 or more Fixed Rink Team Training sessions.

- Of that 33 Club members, a total of 15 (10) members went on to attended 5 or more sessions.

Specialist Position Training. There were 4 Specialist Position Training Sessions. One session for Leads, one session for Position 2, one session for Sub-Skips and one session for Skips.

- The Average Attendance per Session over the season was 8 (not undertaken last season) curlers per session.

- A total of 25 Club members attended 1 or more Specialist Position Training Sessions.

Stick Delivery Training. There were 4 Stick Delivery Training Sessions.

- The Average Attendance per Session over the season was 7 (not undertaken last season) curlers per session.

- A total of 8 Club members attended 1 or more Stick Delivery Training Sessions.

End of Season Points Competition. There were 3 Points Competition sessions in March 2019, one Practice Session and two Scoring Sessions. A total of 16 Club members took part in total.

Guests at the Bonspiel at Stranraer. We had a total of 4 guest curlers from other clubs
join us at Stranraer. This compares to 6 guests last season.

TRAINING PLACES TOTAL

The Total Training Places filled this year was 515, compared to 379 last season and 274 the season before.

SESSION FORMATS

Back on the Ice Session. This session was two hours long at the beginning of the season and allowed Club members to get back on the ice after the Summer break with a coach in attendance to advise on slide & delivery performance. A total of 42 slots were filled in these sessions.

Club Training. Club training was carried out at Dumfries Ice Bowl and consisted of 2 hours on the ice. Each session consisted of 1 hour with a coach provided by the Ice Bowl working on specific shot making or exercises followed by a 1-hour practice game to re-enforce the training. During the 1-hour practice game the coach remained and provided 15 min individual training sessions for those Club members who wished one to one instruction – this had worked well. A total of 163 training slots were filled compared to 209 slots last season and 20 (29) one to one training sessions were undertaken.

Fixed Rink Team Training. These sessions were carried out at Dumfries Ice Bowl and were 2 hours long with a coach provided by the Ice Bowl. These sessions were designed to improve rink cohesion and communication as well as improve tactical awareness. A total of 177 training slots were filled compared to 78 slots last season.

The Christmas Bonspiel at Stranraer. The Bonspiel was held at the Ice Rink at the North-West Castle Hotel in Stranraer and consisted of 2 end games in a round-robin format for each of 8 rinks playing, with a break for lunch. A total of 33 (26) slots were filled consisting of 29 Club members and 4 guests.

Club Organised Points Sessions. Formal training finished on 28 February, but 3 Points Training/Scoring Sessions were booked at Dumfries Ice Bowl for each Wednesday morning in March up to the Club Bonspiel (held on the 28th of March. A total of 29 slots were filled by Club members during the 3 Points Sessions.

SESSION COSTS

Club Training Sessions. The Club Sessions cost £5.00 per person, per session.

Fixed Rink Team Training Sessions. Fixed Rink Team Training cost £20.00 per rink, per session.

Bonspiel at Stranraer. The Bonspiel at Stranraer cost £14.00 per person for the ice and £6.00 per person for lunch.

Club Organised Points Sessions. The practice ice cost £ 5.00 per person, per session.

TOTAL TRAINING COSTS

Given the attendance and session costs the Kirkcudbright Training Programme generated the following income for the Ice Bowl, Dumfries, and the Ice Rink, Stranraer:

- Ice Bowl Dumfries

- - Club Training (inc Points Sessions) - £ 1025.00
  - Fixed Rink Team Training - £ 875.00
  - Specialist Position & Stick Training - £ 230.00

- - Dumfries Total Training Income - £ 2130.00

- Ice Rink Stranraer

- - Away Day Ice - £ 448.00
  - Food - £ 198.00

- - Stranraer Total Training Income - £ 646.00

- Tactics Evening - £135.00

- Quiz - £130.00

Total Training Programme Cost - £ 3041.00

COACHES

The training was delivered by the following coaches:

- Club Training – Iain Jamieson.

- Fixed Rink Team Training - Graham Sloan, Jayne Stirling & Iain Jamieson.

The Club is grateful for the time, patience, advice and effort of all the coaches have put into the Kirkcudbright Training Programme. Because of their efforts, the consensus within the Club was that the standard of curling continues to improve.

FEEDBACK SUMMARY

Generally, the Club members considered the Training Programme was useful, well received, mostly enjoyed and good value.
The Club was grateful to the coaches for their effort and patience.
The Access to Fixed Rink Team Training had greatly improved for all Club Members.
All Skips should be encouraged to undertake Fixed Rink Team Training as some skips had not participated with their rinks this year.
The Balance of General Training and Fixed Rink Team Training needs to be considered.
Club Members considered that some individual time in each session with the coach to improve technique had been useful.
The Individual Feedback Comments are at Annex A to this Report.

PROPOSALS FOR SEASON 2018/2019

The following proposals were presented to the Club AGM for discussion and agreement for next season.

Training

Training Days. It is proposed to continue with the mix of Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings for Club Training, as this seemed to work well. However, Tuesday mornings when there are no Seniors League games programmed should also be explored.

Fixed Rink Team Training. It is proposed that the Fixed Rink Team Training is now an integral part of the Training Programme and programmed into the overall Training Programme

Training Programme. It was proposed that the Training & Development Officer should work with Graham Sloan to produce a Training Programme for next season that reflected the feedback from this year’s programme.

Rink Training. It is proposed that the Training & Development Officer should continue to coordinate Rink Training, as and when requested by Skips.

Specialist Position & Stick Training. These sessions had proved useful and further sessions should be considered in next year’s Training Programme.

Training Bonspiel Days. It is proposed that we hold one or two away days based on the Bonspiel at Stranraer this season.

Points Competition. It is proposed that the Club Points Competition should be continued and held annually in March.

KLUTCH Curling. A Discussion was required to see how KLUTCH Curling could be included in the Training Programme and if it offered any significant benefit.

R G SHIELDS

Robin Shields

Training & Development Officer

Annex:

2018-2019 Kirkcudbright Training Feedback.

ANNEX A TO

2018/2019 Season Training Report

2018-2019 Kirkcudbright Training Feedback

Training Comments & Feedback

GENERAL COMMENTS

I am sure you will have picked this comment up elsewhere it is to do with having a joined-up approach to how we play. Clearly during a match, the rink skip has the greatest influence on the game - tactics, shot selection, sweeping calls etc. It is clearly important then that if the club is to fully benefit from your training plans, that the skips and sub-skips know, understand and put into practice what the theory for each position is as given during the training. Not sure how this would be best done but I suspect it needs a mix of skips/sub skips training plus implementation in fixed rink training sessions.

We probably generally still struggle with knowing when to sweep but it takes time to gain that experience. I've been curling quite a number of years and can still get it wrong!

I think the training and development really works for the club - I have seen a marked improvement in the quality of matches since I joined.

Think my main suggestion is somehow to get all players singing off the same hymn sheet - the coaches instruct on best practice but not everyone goes to the training sessions, so it is frustrating and or confusing when we try to put what the coaches say into practice and others do not agree.

Otherwise the training has its good parts (mainly). The other parts are probably down to individual needs and preferences which is to be expected and accepted when we have group sessions. My thoughts are that general training and fixed rink training could be combined although the attendance commitment required may not suit all. I think we are very lucky to have the facility to learn so much at the Ice Bowl - not seen this level of support in other sports.

Only other comment is the amount of playing time for new members to develop their skills, but this is a wider issue than T & D.

Club Training

I have enjoyed and benefitted from all the training.

I enjoy and have benefited greatly. As my understanding grows, I find that we have too many members on the day and Iain struggles to develop personal skills.

Only attended one session but found it useful practising specific shots and basic skills.

Club training has been brilliant.

Lots of different topics worked on and then the opportunity for a few ends to practice. Also, a great opportunity to get to know the other members.

Having the opportunity for One to One training is an incredible opportunity and really helpful.

Generally good – an overall agreed structure for how it will be delivered over the season would help

I haven’t found this as useful this year.... good for basic practice but not so helpful for improving technique.

My impression of the session I attended was that Iain set up a very effective programme for the hour (or half hour per group) but was then side-tracked by an adjacent wheelchair curler who wanted to know all about the delivery measuring sensors and was thereby hijacked for most of the time allocated to the group I was in. This of course did not stop us carrying out the “clock” programme but with little feedback.

I found it to be very useful as a practice session and will certainly participate in future.

This has helped to greatly develop my ability over the last 2 seasons. Without doubt a must for anyone wanting to improve their overall game. All aspects are covered, and the coaches are clear with their instructions and they always have a plan to the session. The hour of training is long enough and its then fun to put some of the training to use in the 'no pressure' game at the end of each session.

Went well generally – the availability of some, one to one was a real benefit early in the season.

Only attended a few but enjoyed them all. Latterly because low attendance led to 3 or 4 on a sheet, meaning no hanging around.

I have always enjoyed the training sessions.

Fixed Rink Training

Enjoyed it but a bit difficult at times because all errors are exposed but good to identify areas for improvement and to get advice. Scenarios are especially useful and interesting. So maybe scenarios could be incorporated somehow in normal training.

I attended our rink training which I found very helpful.

Excellent for fostering team work.

Being in a fixed rink with training has been really beneficial and has definitely improved my confidence and ability as a curler Main eye opener- communication. As a sweeper, knowing what shot is going to be delivered so you can judge the sweeping accordingly and plan b, c,d shots thereafter. Communicating speed and/ or line and where you want the stone. All things I'd never felt were part of my role as someone who mainly played 2nd. The rink training has made us a team rather than 4 curlers who are playing in the same rink this season.

Game scenarios have also been really useful when we are playing in league games.

Excellent – keep it going.

Just what I and Rink needed. Positive comment from all the rink.

Everyone got a lot from each session even though some of the sessions did not have the "regular" team involved. I think those that have attended have certainly become more involved during games and communicated pretty well, and I think everyone seems to be enjoying the games more.

Only really managed to attend fixed rink training which I thoroughly enjoyed and found extremely beneficial. The encouraging thing was how much the others seemed to enjoy and get something out of it too.

I don't know how many of the "club" rinks took part in fixed rink training, but I think it should be encouraged.

Perhaps if all club rinks took part in fixed rink training and the skips had a consistency in calls and signals this would help though I do know all skips have their own approach, at least if they all adopt the same signals (and make sure their team understood them!) it would be a start.

Fixed rink training has been quite transformational. Even from the first session just learning about communication and realising that everyone is a team and has their part to play, made a huge difference to games. The only negative is that it meant missing quite a few general training sessions.

Absolutely essential for our Rink. There is a huge improvement in the communication of the rink from the first time we played. Graham Sloan has been invaluable with advice and tactical knowledge. I would like to see this training continue.

I think my club championship team has only had 1 session. We would benefit from more training as a team.

This is a good idea and it really helped our rink.

Only did when all the team could attend, which was not that often. However, enjoyable and I think the most useful form of training.

We only did once and not all could attend, so not as useful as it might have been due to availability.

I found this particularly beneficial and contributed well towards understanding how best to work together.

Specialist Position Training

Very positive.
Skips training - The off-ice session beforehand was good. It prompted discussion and sharing of ideas between us and the small groups worked well… probably better than if it was done in a large group. Jayne was authoritative and well prepared.
I only managed to get to one position training. I'm not sure how useful it was although I did feedback sweeping position tips to the rest of the team. I almost feel that everyone needs to know what each person should be doing. Maybe put something up on the website with role responsibilities.
I have attended a couple of these sessions, and I think most of this could be covered in the fixed rink training.
This was an interesting session which provoked some good ideas and a better appreciation of how a rink should function.
Lead - I think this was on the ice and ok.
Sub Skip – classroom, did not enjoy. Just talking/listening is not the way I learn.
Skip – classroom, we were given a task involving the score and where we were in the game, and so had to decide our next steps. Was ok and not boring, but again for me I do not remember the scenarios. Not my way of learning.
Conclusion – will probably only do a classroom situation if a task is given to complete or something like a video is shown. Sitting listening is out.

Stick Delivery Training

I had one stick delivery session with Denise which was really good. I learnt a huge amount in an hour.
For me very welcome and helpful.

Tactics Evening

I really enjoyed the evening. Using a proper game made it easier to understand the tactics rather than a theoretical discussion.
The Tactics Evening was excellent… an eye opener for some and thought provoking for me. The format of going through a game and the thinking behind shot selection was very useful and the effort which had gone into the preparation was apparent and considerable. Timing was good, and style worked well, particularly Graham’s use of ‘bad’ shots (by either team) to illustrate opportunities to score or to minimise damage…. this presentation wasn’t just about what shots you should make but how to think about the position you get into (and ways out of it).
Very interesting but at times a bit advanced for where most of us are.
Here are my specific points;
- Spend more time thinking about what we are trying to achieve before making a shot and after opponent has played.

- Discuss this with sub-skip…. but how to avoid time wasting.

- Think about what the opposing team is trying to do, not just what I am trying to do.

- Don’t worry (so much) after a shot from any of the team isn’t as requested…. make the most of the position you are in.
- Make sure rink is clear about what we are trying to do during an end not just at the beginning. Speak to Graham about best way to communicate this to the team during an end.

- I have some more specific questions for Graham about early, mid and end game tactics which I’ll take up with him at Fixed Rink practice.

Enjoyed yesterday evening with some good insights into how to plan and execute a game. I think Graham and Iain did a great job. The example/video they used was for Graham's level of skill which is clearly much higher than ours. Would be good to include a discussion on how we factor in shot selection with a much lower individual degree of success into the tactics of a game (my experience is that currently we look for the ideal shot and in quite a few cases, ignore how difficult it is for the individual delivering the stone).

It has been fascinating to watch as these evenings, over the last three years, have become more and more assured, better paced and more focussed. Last night was yet another leap forward in delivery and impact.

A good evening all round, as we learned about the new Curling set up and some physio as well as the curling itself. Graham and Iain's presentation was very good as it gave us an insight into their thought processes in a match. This would bear repetition several times as each end is unique. If I can find a way of putting a stone where I intended to the tactics would be of great benefit!!

Yes, good evening, what more can I say.

Good fun and positive. I wonder if this would be beneficial in smaller groups, perhaps at the Ice bowl.

I thought it was a well-constructed demonstration in the video format.
I enjoyed the evening and it certainly raised the bar in terms of what me must strive for in the future. Everybody I spoke to was positive about it.

I also attended the tactics evening at the golf club which was very good.
I really enjoyed going through the game. It made the tactics register more than if it was theoretical. A very good format. And again, a good opportunity to socialise with fellow members.

I felt the tactics evening went better this year than last, don't know whether that was down to the addition of Graham's input or just that we were more prepared for what it might entail.
I felt the video footage of a game was very good in that it felt more real and also showed that even the big boys don't get it right all the time. It would have been interesting/ possibly embarrassing to have seen a KBT DIBCA game to see where we went wrong! (Tactically!)