Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Team Management | Tags: communication, honesty, selection, Tony Hanks, Wasps
Dropping a player is never a good feeling.
I was going to say it would be great if we could just say “The team is…” and not have to justify any selections afterwards. Actually, the process of telling a player they are not in the team is a good learning experience for both player and coach.
A dropped player needs to know his worth and the reasons for not playing. You want him to continue to improve, even if you think he will never make the team again. Other players will be so close to selection, they might be playing next week. So not a good time to burn bridges.
From your point of view, you can learn much from the dialogue, about the player and about the team as a whole.
In recent weeks I have been speaking to many top coaches about “selection” and communication. Honesty is one word which keeps being mentioned.
Wasps director of rugby, Tony Hanks, said that it was difficult sometimes to be totally frank with a player, but vital not to be dishonest.
I have had a few very tough selection decisions in recent weeks, with, in some cases, very little to choose between two players who are both on the up and improving all the time.
I enjoy the job, but it can be heartbreaking at times!
