Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Skills | Tags: coaching, demostrations, nervous players, player centred approach, questioning
We understand the word “space” to mean something where there is nothing. In rugby, it is where there is no defence.
In rugby coaching, it has a deeper meaning and you might be utilising this space already.
I am thinking about space in rugby coaching delivery. Giving the players space to consider their actions and evaluate the solutions. Creating that space in the first instance means shutting up, standing back, allowing a player or players to discuss.
We can create better “space” by building an environment where different players can express themselves in different ways. Instead of getting the players to just answer questions verbally, you can get them to show you.
This week I asked some players to tell me where to attack the defender. The more lucid talked about “inside shoulders” or “weak shoulders”, perhaps “branches, twigs and trunks”. Others stood back, worried they would not know the jargon.
I changed my approach, stood back and said to a quieter player: “Show us”.
I know that many of you do this without thinking. However it did make me “think” how I can create more space for the players to express themselves and how I can remove the walls that enclose them. “Show me” is different to “Tell me”. And instead of “Show me”, why not “Experiment”? A little less intimidating to a more nervous because their demostration might not work, and that doesn’t matter so much since it is an experiment.
How does it work for you?
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Team Management | Tags: coaching, Filo Tiatia
This week the Ospreys’ regional rugby team appointed a new coach. Not Scott Johnson, but Filo Tiatia. A New Zealander honed from Islander teak, he has been an inspirational figure in the last couple of years and now he is a player-coach focusing on the breakdown. He also coaches the Osprey Under 18s.
If you should meet the man, you will find a prescence born of physical prowess and a manner of authority and yet humility. He reminds me of Jim Love, one of our regular columnists in Rugby Coach and former Maori All Black coach.
Not all of us have played for the All Blacks and are built like a big brick outhouse. That gives Filo a certain advantage! But it is the way he conducts himself that give us a clue to why certain coaches have authority.
1. Ease of approach
There is no rush to the way he approaches the players or the task in hand. That leaves space for players to listen and communicate.
2. Less is more
He does not overburden his coaching with lots of thoughts in one session. Players can then develop the area he is concentrating on. He can adjust and adapt the players individually because he has more time to do so.
3. Well prepared
He thinks deeply about his coaching and prepares well for each session. Often he will use a whiteboard or a presentation on flip chart paper, with the players sitting around to listen.
4. Commitment to the best
He wants to the best for himself and by dint of association, the players as well. It comes from pride in his culture and background.
So where is the “voice”?
The voice of authority comes from the quality, feeling and attitude of the speaker. The belief in the nature of what is being said is paramount. Follow these four points to add authority to your voice.
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 | 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.
Filed under: coaches in action pictures, Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching | Tags: being part of the team, coaching, youth teams
Year 11 Rugby Team and Coach, originally uploaded by Arrow Vale High School.
The coach is part of the team, yet still separate.
How many coaches dress like the players for the game or arrive more formally? What do you do?
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Skills, Rugby Team Management | Tags: coaching, coaching players, rugby bonding, rugby huddle, rugby players, sports captain, sports management
Something rare happened for me this weekend.
I had exactly right number of players for my under 8s match. Any coach who has the pleasure of coaching young players will know that often much of the game is spent organising the substitutions. Seven-a-side and seven players – no need for swapping players on and off. It is tag rugby, so little chance of injuries as well.
So I felt I could try a little experiment with captaincy and allow everyone a slice of the responsibility.
It was one boy’s birthday, so he was the captain. That meant he called the toss of the coin and shouting the three cheers at the end. Another boy was vice captain.
Five other places to fill. Defensive captain went to my son. He nodded in agreement (phew! he often wants to be captain). He would set the line. I then turned to the others.
During the training week we had focused on “filling the field”, “running onto the first pass” and “not standing too close to the first passer”. Three further captains emerged, each in charge of those roles. Finally, the last boy. He was in charge of passing before being tagged.
A reminder before each section of the game and we had 7 and 8 year olds with responsibilities. Another boy had come to watch his mates. He became the “physio”, though I would add he did not carry out any medical treatment.
It could be seen as semantics, but I found that this process created a rugby team bond. Not easy with players this young, but the last huddle and shout before we played each quarter was together and focused. And more telling, the tries were greeted with pats on the back. Rarely seen at this age.
Whether I can repeat this again remains to be seen. We won as well, which did not test the theory in some ways. But I am looking forward to developing it and questioning the players about their roles.
Dan, Better Rugby Coaching Editor
