A Pane in the Glass
Bill Tschirhart's A Pane in the Glass
Bill Tschirhart has been involved in coaching the sport of curling for many years. I was first introduced to Bill in 1990 when he was coach of the University of Waterloo varsity curling teams, which was Bill’s first coaching position. Since then, Bill has held coaching positions provincially and nationally, coached at both national and international events, and at one time was Curling Canada’s national development coach at the Curling Canada’s National Training Centre (NTC) in Calgary.
Over the years Bill has published a number of articles about coaching the sport of curling, both in print media and on the web, and in addition launched an online blog a number of years ago. Bill recently retired to the community of Bayfield, ON on the shores of Lake Huron.
Most recently, Bill has taken “A Pane in the Glass” to the airwaves, and now runs a podcast of the same name available on most platforms (see below).
Several of Bill’s many individual articles can be still found on the internet. However, in 2010 Bill published a compendium [1] of selected articles, along with additional material from other contributors who include:
- Bob Comartin, now retired, of Curling Canada’s Performance Enhancement team;
- Wendy Morgan, former Canadian national Wheelchair curling team manager and coach;
- Toby Macdonald, national coach and 1976 Brier champion from Newfoundland;
- Lindsay Sparkes, former Canadian national coach and Olympic medallist (with skip Linda Moore in 1988 at the Calgary games);
- and several other contributors including Bill’s daughter Susan.
Collectively the volume is called A Pane in the Glass: A Coach’s Companion and the book has an enormous wealth of material for coaches of all levels. The book consists of 298 pages of packed material, along with an Appendix with diagrams, drills (from “Drills to Die For“), scoring sheets, and other useful coaching material.
The book is still available in print form from Curling Canada. All proceeds from the sale of this volume go to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.
We are pleased to provide, with Bill’s permission, a number of his many articles from A Pane in the Glass in downloadable PDF.
Articles from A Pane in the Glass
A Pane in the Glass Podcast
Recently Bill has moved to the airwaves to bring his coaching expertise to his listeners through another channel. His podcast, naturally entitled “A Pane in the Glass Podcast”, is available on iTunes, Amazon, and a variety of other platforms. His most recent pods appear below.
-
Now What Do We Do?
by Coach Bill on April 26, 2024 at 11:00 pm
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I talk about an activity that every team should do as the current curling season fades into the sunset. It's great to think about all those summer activities available now that the snow has abated but the time between the last rock delivered in one season and the first to be sent down the ice in the next can be very valuable to your team's on going quest for improved performance and it doesn't matter the the level of skill and experience. You enjoy the game more when you play better. There are many ways to accomplish this. The one I'm suggesting is simple but impactful. I conclude this episode with two reflections by elite athletes. The first is Max Homa, professional golfer. The second is a retiring elite curler, Glenn Howard.
-
What's In Your Tickle Trunk?
by Coach Bill on April 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm
This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" goes out to all those who work with young curlers, just starting out with curling. My guest is Al Kersey who has devoted his entire coaching/instructing career to developing and delivering impactful programmes for U15's, not an easy task as those of you who have weighed in with these rambunctious and enthusiastic young curlers. Tickle Trunk is not only his cache of inventive learn-to-curl gizmos but his resource for the aforementioned well-thought out programmes necessary to ensure that the time with those youngsters plants the seeds for a life time of enjoyment with curling. This is another of those episodes I hope you will forward to anyone, like Al, who enjoys both the challenges and rewards of being at the starting blocks with the future of our sport.
-
Pebble Water 9.0
by Coach Bill on April 9, 2024 at 12:00 pm
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I roll up my sleeves to deal with a few topics. First up, words, and their relevance to curling. Based upon a Facebook back-and-forth about measuring rocks, I weigh in on that topic with my two cents worth. Then I share a sound bite featuring Hall of Fame basketball player, Bill Walton. It's short but impactful in my view. I conclude the episode with a look to an upcoming episode whereby your questions & comments regarding rules will be aired. Enjoy Pebble Water 9.0!
-
A Visit With An Elite Mixed Doubles Team
by Coach Bill on April 5, 2024 at 1:00 pm
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast", one of the podcast's roving reporters (Gery Hermans) interviews Marie Kaldvee & Harry Lill from Estonia. This mixed doubles team is extremely highly ranked by World Curling. Gery, through his questions, will take you on a journey to learn everything about competing in this newest of Olympic curling disciplines. This episode has chapters with time stamps so you can return to the episodes to hear what Marie & Harry say on specific topics that interest you. As you'll hear me say in the sign off portion of the episode, please forward this episode to anyone who you feel might benefit from the answers to this elite mixed doubles team's answers!
-
It Doesn’t Get Much Attention But It Can Make A Difference
by Coach Bill on March 30, 2024 at 3:00 pm
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" we deal with a topic that gets very little attention, but as you'll hear from Dr. Helen Williams, Phil Daniel & Kim Tuck, it's a very important position on the team, one that makes a difference. What is it that doesn't get much attention? It's the fifth player!
-
From The Coach's Bench (Merv Fonger)
by Coach Bill on March 24, 2024 at 9:00 pm
This episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" is the second in the "From The Coach's Bench" series. My guest is Merv Fonger of Moose Jaw, SK. His mark in the wheat province of Canada was established first as an athlete and then as one of most the sought after coaches. His transition from curler to coach alone is interesting but as you'll see by clicking on the Chapter Markers above, Merv will deal with many topics with which coaches deal on a regular basis. Merv's style of doing so will leave you entertained as well as educated. He's a story teller and illustrates many of his coaching points that way! Enjoy!Thank you for all the Happy Birthday wishes! It's much appreciated!
-
This Man Is Always In The Zone
by Coach Bill on March 16, 2024 at 8:00 pm
In this episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" I'm going to pull the curtain on the mover and shaker of one of curling's most visited and intriguing internet sites "Curling Zone" . The aforementioned mover and shaker is none other than Gerry Guerts. You may not recognize his name but if you follow just about any aspect of curling be it from the perspective of a curler, coach, instructor, athlete or fan, you will have benefited from his work and insights.This episode is awash in information and that's putting it mildly as you'll soon learn when you hit "play" on your device. The episode is 60 min. in length and it's worth every one of those minutes. I suggest you once again employ the "Chapter Markers" to identify the various topics with which Gerry deals so you can quickly return to those of particular interest. This is one of those episodes you'll want to hear more than once. He has the data and is willing to share!
-
Brier 24 Notebook
by Coach Bill on March 12, 2024 at 5:00 am
This is a special episode of "A Pane In The Glass Podcast" with a look back at a fantastic ten days of curling in The Queen City (aka Regina, SK). With pen and paper close at hand I made note of what I saw from the perspective of a TV fan/coach. I'd like to be able to watch a game of curling, or any sporting event for that matter, strictly from a fan's point of view but I guess if I can't do it without my coach's hat firmly in place by this point in my life, I don't think that's ever going to happen.I made eleven notes for the episode. By clicking on "Chapters" at the top of these show notes, you'll learn the topic of each note and by clicking on the time stamp, you'll be taken to that spot. Enjoy!