How honesty and values makes players trust you

Based on your own values and style, you might want to coach your team to play a wide game or a physical game. But unless you have the resources to achieve this you’ll struggle.

Everyone in the team and club has roles and responsibilities on and off the field. You have to know which these you can change and what you need to keep the same. This is also true of your style.

The generic skills of set pieces, core skills and fitness remain the same whoever you coach. You must build the team around these skills. Crucially, your style can only express itself if you can coach these well.

Coaching honestly

I am passionate for things I want. This passion helps me sell the ideas and methods I want the players to learn. It’s a key part of the coaching process, where the believers will happily listen and act upon your direction.

Part of selling myself comes with honesty. Honesty means telling the player how it is. 

If they had a poor game then I need to make sure the player knows this. I might tell them directly. However, it is better to let them work it out for themselves.

I might approach the player and ask them: “What was your opinion on the game?” and then “Why did you make that decision or execute that play?”. It’s essential we share the same story. I might make them retell the story if they are not seeing the same problems. Sometimes I might need to tell them the story myself instead if it’s still not right.

For instance, the hooker might have been throwing in poorly and they will tell me that the jumpers were not responding to their calls. I might need them to review this to make sure they focus on their own technical errors.

You have to deal with the acute problems honestly. If they are getting something wrong then I will tell them straightaway. It is hard to do otherwise because if I am covering up a problem they might think I am lying.

Knowing the players

Sometimes players will come up with excuses. I don’t stand for excuses, but I am also aware of times when I don’t have all the information. Remember that players have lives outside rugby which impact on their lives inside rugby.

A player’s poor performance might be related to tough family circumstances which I am not aware of. If this happens, the best I can do is to say I didn’t know.

Players need a certain level of attention to help them understand the technical side of the game. You will know that players have different learning styles and so you need to adapt your style to suit them.

Though you adapt your style, you should retain your consistency. Players still expect to get told off when they get it wrong.