This semester has been one experience after another for my coaching journey. I took on the head coaching role at a high school, I am taking on more responsibility as an assistant coach at TWU with the women’s team, and school is more difficult.

I decided early in the season to take an extra class: Kin 567 Human Motor Performance. I wasn’t sure that this would be a good idea with my schedule. However, I have learned a ton from our prof, Nikki. This course has definitely enhanced my coaching effectiveness and practice design strategies. To that end, I decided to put off starting my research project until I get a little further into Research Methods with Carolyn and finish Nikki’s course.

I have asked Nikki if she would like to be involved with my research project in some way. She agreed that we could work together on it. However, she warned me that she hasn’t really done much field work.

So where I’m at right now is wanting to do something to do with international volleyball tactics and bring in something with perception-cogitative skills that Nikki could consult with.

Research methods has been a bit of a grind so I am considering taking it as an in person course at UBC in the second semester as it works with my schedule. I am also Seminar in Body, Exercise, and Society next semester. There is also a Seminar in Sensorimotor Control. These classes all work with my schedule because they happen in the mornings. So I am just trying to figure out if the time investment is worth it.

I have really enjoyed taking an in person class and I think I would like to take at least one next semester. I don’t know if Research Methods actually makes me a better coach. However, I don’t want struggling with those topics to hold me back in my academic pursuits so it might be worth taking twice or auditing it the second time.

Please let me know your thoughts.