Activities – Making the Drills CLEAR

The CLEAR plan framework is a repeatable structure that every drill follows, regardless of sailor’s age, weather, or skill level. This keeps coaches from over-talking, under-sailing, or skipping learning moments.

C	L	E	A	R
Context	Link	Explain	Act	Reflect
2-5 mins	3-5 mins	5 mins max	60 – 70 %	5 mins
Answer why	Connect to something they know	Explain only enough to act	Do the drill	Lock the learning

Phase 1: CONTEXT (2–5 minutes)

Purpose: Answer why this matters today before touching a boat.

Coach does:

• States the single skill focus of the session
• Connects it to safety, control, or confidence
• Sets one observable outcome

Script structure for coaches:

“Today we are working on [skill].

This matters because [real sailing reason].

By the end of practice, you should be able to [simple outcome].”

Rules:

• One skill only
• No technique yet
• No diagrams longer than 30 seconds

---

Phase 2: LINK (3–5 minutes)

Purpose: Attach new learning to something sailors already know.

Coach does:

• References a previous session or everyday experience
• Uses analogy (door hinge, bicycle turn, wind on your face)

Examples:

• “This turn works like opening a door, not slamming it.”
• “Remember when the boat stalled last time—this fixes that.”

Why this matters:

Inexperienced coaches often start at expert level. This forces them to bridge first.

---

Phase 3: EXPLAIN (5 minutes max)

Purpose: Deliver just enough understanding to enable action.

Coach does:

• Uses one diagram OR one demo (never both)
• Explains using Direction → Timing → Body movement

Mandatory constraints:

• No more than 3 key points
• No wind theory unless it affects this maneuver
• Use consistent language across all sessions

Coach checklist:

• Did I explain what moves first?
• Did I explain when it happens?
• Did I explain what the sailor does with their body?

---

Phase 4: ACT (60–70% of session)

Purpose: Sailing is learned by doing, not listening.

Coach does:

• Sets a simple drill with a clear start and finish
• Watches silently for the first few attempts
• Gives one correction at a time

Drill design rules (for inexperienced coaches):

• One task
• One success condition
• One safety boundary

Feedback formula coaches must use:

“I saw [specific action].

That caused [result].

Next run, try [one change].”

No storytelling. No lecturing mid-drill.

---

Phase 5: REFLECT (3–5 minutes)

Purpose: Lock learning and prepare sailors for the next session.

Coach does:

• Asks 2 questions max:
  • “What worked?”
  • “What felt hard?”
• Reinforces effort over outcome
• Teases the next session

Closing script:

“If you remember one thing from today, remember this: [key idea].”

---

Why CLEAR Works

Maps cleanly to LearnDash lessons for coach training

Prevents rambling

Keeps sessions consistent across coaches

Scales from kids to adults

Fits 45-minute or 3-hour blocks