Brain Centred Learning and G.A.P.S. – Brian Legard’s feature on 5 Live concerning brain centred learning was indeed interesting, but is it another example of an ill-informed journalist jumping on the coat tails of another foreign coach? Has Mr Legard heard of Bunker and Thorpe’s Teaching Games for Understanding model or the Australian game sense coaching model a variation and developed from Thorpe & Bunker’s initial work? This approach, and particularly the use of small-sided games within it, does many of the things promoted by the Belgian Michel Bruyninckx in his BCL approach e.g. training the brain to make the most of your skill set (through the development of decision making skills), creating greater mental toughness (through the competitive element and the need to outwit opponents to be successful), improving awareness (having to read ever changing scenarios) etc.

Tacklesport’s release of G.A.P.S. is timely. With its emphasis on starting with Games, developing related Activities through questioning & observation, identifying relevant Practices to reinforce game components, and focusing on specific Skills for those individuals where weaknesses have been identified, it is groundbreaking. Visit the Tacklesport website for more information.