Training Reinforcement

CHAPTER 16Crafting Reinforcement Messages

In Judo, the coach has a place close to the tatami (mat). During a fight, the coach can give you tips or advice. If a certain fight plan does not work, the coach can make changes and let you know, or he can provide some motivational words if the fighter needs some encouragement. It’s great that your coach is that close to you during a fight. The downside is that the coach can only talk during a break.

When I started a fight, my coach was quiet. He observed my moves, analyzed my behavior, and saw what I needed to change. When I competed, a Judo fight lasted five minutes. The referee could decide to have a short break during the fight. Sometimes the break would be only a few seconds; sometimes it would be 15 to 20 seconds. The coach could talk to me only during these breaks—not much time for a full explanation or lots of words.

Every conversation during a fight had to be short, clear, and to the point so I knew exactly what to do. The coach never knew if or when another break would come. So when my coach said, “Turn your hand,” I knew exactly what he meant. We used short expressions because they didn’t require any additional explanation.

While I was injured in 1990, my coach told me to observe my competitors’ coaches during fights. They all had different styles. The top coaches were very precise in their coaching during the breaks. Coaches who lacked experience tried to say too much during a five-second break. They started to explain ...