Program
  • The plan was to run the same programme at each course site. We succeeded in this effort, especially during the second and third years, when the programme content was reviewed in greater detail during the preparatory meetings. In addition to the general preparations, each instructor elaborated in detail a specific subject and showed this presentation to the other instructors. This gave each instructor 5 detailed, up-to-date presentations and easily filled 5 days!
  • While some coaches had difficulty identifying with the ideas of other instructors, this format realized the objective of identical programmes for every district.
  • In Year 3 the smaller groups enabled greater consideration for and input in teaching. This time-consuming activity was not possible during the first two years due to the high enrolment.
  • The teaching groups format (this was used during the 3rd year and should have been arranged more effectively during the 1st and 2nd years) clearly distinguished the good teachers from the less good ones. In the absence of teaching groups, participants needed to simulate 'players' themselves. This exhausted them and in many cases camouflaged teaching mistakes.
  • The first-year programme (8 consecutive days of about 12 hours each) overburdened both the participants and the instructor. The second and third course years were planned much better: 2 x 4 days, interspersed by 2 to 3 day breaks.
  • Some teaching assignments were too difficult. In two districts, the basics needed to be reconsidered.
  • Courses that coincided with a tournament or advanced competitions were especially useful for analysing these events.
  • At centres where such competitions were not played, KNHB video analysis material was used. Especially during the 2nd and 3rd years, this material reflected input from the instructors and was extremely useful.
  • Other course materials, such as a manual, were unavailable. This was a major shortcoming. All material brought by the Dutch instructors or produced and presented by participants, however, was bound together and provided to participants.