What does a good coaching session look like? Perhaps we should really ask, what does it feel like? I think we are constantly trying to judge that, and we are also being judged at the same time.
We look at ourselves, we observe and ask the players, and then we see what they play like in matches. That’s the same sort of criteria that’s being used by the team’s stakeholders.
What are they looking for? And should we care? It would be wrong to think we shouldn’t care. Even if some of the observers have little or no idea about what’s happening, we must remember that everyone has some impact on the team. If they have a negative view of our methods, that can harm our progress.
In an ideal world, everyone in the club would be on the same page. But given this is unlikely, we can still mitigate some of the resistance to what we want to achieve by setting out the purpose of our training regime and perceived outcomes.
Yet, most of these outcomes will be seen in the long term. How about each coaching session? What does that then look like?
I think we can easily fall into the trap of thinking that successful processes and outcomes are the best sign. “You nailed that!” might be our call. Yet, in the theory of learning, being able to complete tasks which we’ve just been practising isn’t a good indicator of good learning. Even if we have upped the pressure levels at the time, we are better off taking the players away and letting them come back fresh to similar situations.
That doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate success. It also doesn’t mean we don’t correct mistakes. It requires a balance of progression, chaos and accuracy. And, if mistakes don’t matter, why would a player want to make it better next time they train or play.
That’s why I think you need to set out clear expectations. Note that’s not clear objectives. Objectives suggest there’s a defined outcome you want to reach. That doesn’t always allow the players to explore.
Instead, expectations help define behaviours. Our expectations change throughout the session. At the start of the session, say in a warm up game, we might expect chaos and laughs. In the technical session, we might be looking for experimentation. In the skills session, we might want accuracy in certain aspects and pushing the boundaries in others.
We agree with the players the expectations. If they meet those expectations, I would reckon that would be the sign of a pretty good session.
Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is the assistant coach with University of Bristol Women's team and is a coach mentor for Broad Plain RFC mini and juniors section.
He was Head Coach of Swansea Schools U15 and has previously held coaching roles with the Young Ospreys Academy and as Assistant Coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup. He was director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. P...
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From our Rugby Coach Weekly archive of Touchline Tales, commenting on a game in an U15 Cup tournament. Last weekend we lost 20-22 in a cup ...
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