The Constraints Collective

The Constraints Collective
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  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Our mission is to transform practice environments in sport by equipping coaches with the knowledge, understanding and skills to bridge the gap between skill acquisition theory and practice.

  1. #74 Ian Renshaw on the Cricketer Podcast

    DEC 16

    #74 Ian Renshaw on the Cricketer Podcast

    He's raised a Test opener, now Matt Renshaw's dad wants to help fellow coaches the world over. The Cricketer chat with Ian Renshaw, who has written a new book with Stephen Rollnick that aims to get coaches thinking differently about how they get the best out of their players. You can purchase your copy of the book via Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dynamic-Coac...  Thank you Cricketer for letting us use this episode! If you're getting value from our podcast check out our membership options and coaching community at www.theconstraintscollective.com where you can access podcast summaries, narrated presentations, early release podcasts and monthly online meet ups with experts from the Constraints Collective. Support the running of the podcast at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective

    20 min
  2. #73 Developing Your Coaching Craft

    DEC 10

    #73 Developing Your Coaching Craft

    If you're getting value from our podcast check out our membership options and coaching community at www.theconstraintscollective.com where you can access podcast summaries, narrated presentations, early release podcasts and monthly online meet ups with experts from the Constraints Collective. Support the running of the podcast at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective In this episode, we explore what it truly means to develop your coaching craft. Coaching isn’t a set of techniques, it’s a lifelong process of learning, reflection, and refinement. We break down why great coaches stay curious, how authenticity builds stronger relationships, and why context and deep listening matter more than any one-size-fits-all method. If you’re committed to becoming a more adaptable, self-aware, and impactful coach, this conversation will give you practical ideas to elevate your practice. Enjoy!

    35 min
  3. #72 Mark O'Sullivan

    DEC 3

    #72 Mark O'Sullivan

    If you're getting value from our podcast check out our membership options and coaching community at www.theconstraintscollective.com where you can access podcast summaries, narrated presentations, early release podcasts and monthly online meet ups with experts from the Constraints Collective. Support the running of the podcast at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective In this episode we are joined by Mark O'Sullivan, Associate Professor of Football at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Mark is also a coach, coach educator, researcher and former DJ, music producer and recording artist. Enjoy!

    1h 14m
  4. #71 Round Up 5

    NOV 28

    #71 Round Up 5

    If you're getting value from our podcast check out our membership options and coaching community at www.theconstraintscollective.com where you can access podcast summaries, narrated presentations, early release podcasts and monthly online meet ups with experts from the Constraints Collective. Support the running of the podcast at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective In this episode we explore how sociocultural constraints shape the way athletes learn and perform. Using cricket examples like playing conditions in Australia and the current Ashes competition, playing styles, and how different environments create different types of players. Discussing how context and culture drive skill development and performance behaviours.  We also discuss England Rugby Union's winning streak and former All Black Jeff Wilson's comments about overly structured game models and plans.  Enjoy!

    27 min
  5. #70 New Website and Book

    NOV 20

    #70 New Website and Book

    If you're getting value from our podcast check out our membership options and coaching community at www.theconstraintscollective.com where you can access podcast summaries, narrated presentations, early release podcasts and monthly online meet ups with experts from the Constraints Collective. Support the running of the podcast at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective Link to Ian's book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dynamic-Coaching-Playbook-Cricket-Coaches/dp/B0FMNYQFBV In this episode we introduce our new website and Ian's new book. We discuss the ideas behind the website, a hub designed to support coaches and practitioners apply skill acquisition principles in practice. And focus on Ian's book, a resource to support coaches in facilitating more effective learning environments. Enjoy!!

    15 min
  6. #69 Podcast Summary 5 - Eric Brymer

    NOV 19

    #69 Podcast Summary 5 - Eric Brymer

    If you're getting value from our podcast check out our membership options and coaching community at theconstraintscollective.com where you can access podcast summaries, narrated presentations, early release podcasts and monthly online meet ups with experts from the Constraints Collective. Support the running of the podcast at patreon.com/TheConstraintsCollective In this episode we explore Eric’s views on fear, risk, and why people actively seek out challenging or uncertain environments, not for adrenaline, but for meaning, connection, and personal growth.  The conversation highlights how adventure-sport insights surprisingly overlap with team sports and coaching, especially around how athletes relate to their environment and how emotions shape learning. We discuss the value of helping people engage with uncertainty rather than protecting them from it, and how coaches can design environments that support exploration, authenticity, and self-discovery. Enjoy!!

    41 min
  7. #68 The Value of Opposed and Unopposed Practice

    NOV 14

    #68 The Value of Opposed and Unopposed Practice

    In this episode, we dive into one of coaching’s most persistent debates: Should athletes learn through unopposed drills or through messy, opponent-driven, game-like action? A new paper entitled "The value of opposed and unopposed practice: An ecological dynamics rationale for skill development" argues that if we want athletes to develop skills that actually transfer to competition, we need to rethink traditional ideas about “technique first, game later.”  We discuss how movement isn’t something athletes store and then retrieve, rather it emerges from the problems they’re solving in the moment. And because real sport is alive, unpredictable, and constantly changing, training needs to reflect that. However, the paper argues that unopposed practice isn’t useless. But instead of perfecting a single “correct” technique, it is suggested that using isolated work is useful to let athletes explore possibilities, experiment, and build confidence. The magic happens when we add aliveness: opponents, information, timing, space, pressure. That’s where athletes learn to become more skilful.  Enjoy! Link to paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00336297.2024.2420759?needAccess=true

    37 min
  8. #67 Stuart Armstrong

    NOV 7

    #67 Stuart Armstrong

    Stuart Armstrong is a workforce development system builder, learning innovation architect, skill acquisition specialist, and ecological dynamicist, and host of the Talent Equation Podcast.  Enjoy!

    1h 31m
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About

Our mission is to transform practice environments in sport by equipping coaches with the knowledge, understanding and skills to bridge the gap between skill acquisition theory and practice.

Information

  • Creator
    The Constraints Collective
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Constraints Collective
  • Show Website
    The Constraints Collective

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