Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Team Management | Tags: belief, coaching, inspirational coaches
When you watch the best rugby coaches in action, there is something special about their delivery. They have an inner belief that makes what they say worth something.
I have been researching the methods of the delivery and persuasion for a number of articles in Rugby Coach. The simple idea of true belief in what you are saying still has a compelling case for the most important way of inspiring your players.
Coaching from the heart does not mean you need to be messianic in your delivery, or slightly mad in your manner. However, when the players look into your eyes, what will they see? If they’re perception of you is that you are confident, then this is part of the battle. If the perception is then that you also care deeply about what you are saying and why you saying it, the impact will be stronger.
Balance that passion with patience and player centred coaching and you will be amongst the best!
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Training | Tags: facilities, funding, training. rugby coahcing resources
The UK papers are full of the news of the shortfall in funding for the top athletes. The credit crunch is squeezing the government’s coffers and the Olympic hopefuls are going to struggle.
There is only a finite pot of money out there. It has to be spread wisely. The argument goes that the top sports people inspire others to go out to play sport. Hence we should fund them.
Grassroots sport is not so sure. Loads of players turn up and for what? Poor facilities and a lack of coaching and refereeing resources.
I watch and hear about valiant parents coping with loads of kids. Many they struggle.
Streuth, I coach a mini’s team with two other teachers a group of 20 delightful kids and that is hard enough. We have hired an astroturf, but we can’t do proper contact.
Resources must be invested in our facilities and coaches. Better prepared coaches create a sporting legacy that will endure for generations. That is where some of this valuable spending should go.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching | Tags: coaching rugby tactics, rugby strategy
On Saturday, I sat in the crowd at the Millennium Stadium surrounded by good natured fans from Wales and Australia.
Good natured but NO IDEA about how the game should be played. They bemoaned kicking tactics, taking contact and other such decisions which I knew were the right decisions.
And then I thought, perhaps they are right? Who am I to say they are wrong?
Some coaches are so certain they are right, it makes them sound right and the players believe it, enact it and, hey presto it works. If it doesn’t work, then it is due to the referee, weather, injuries or just poor execution.
Other coaches are so worried they might be wrong, they fuss and fiddle, so the players are confused and they don’t know whether they were right or wrong because no one made a certain course of play.
So which coach are you? Are you certain you are certain or certain you are uncertain or uncertain whether you are certain or uncertain?
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching | Tags: coaching, frustration, losing
coaches despair, originally uploaded by pars_man_craig.
This picture tells us plenty about the role of a rugby coach:
1. Passion.
2. Despair.
3. Frustration.
The coach has turned from the pitch – was it a mistake, a referee’s decision, the end of a game?
But for every moment like this, remember the ups. It should make it all worthwhile.
PS: I am the world’s worst referee. The judge: My 8 year old son who I had just reffed to a 4 try to nil loss.
