Coaching Behaviours
Coaching Behaviours Today
What differentiates rugby union from other sports? Why is rugby the go to sport for so many Schools? What are the behaviours we want to see and what do we not want to see? I am not going to compare sports just pose a few observations.
Behaviours are primarily learnt so when we see behaviour that we dislike or prefer not too see on a sports field, who do we attribute these failings to? Increasingly we are seeing professional players and coaches using negative body language to signal something in play they don't agree with.
Check out this video where Paul Gustard speaks of the importance of staying positive!
Some players more than others and yes even some positions more than others. The reasoning is simple, if there is increased protests by players then this pressure on the ref will create doubt and then have a decision in their favour.
What is more worrying is that young players are most probably modeling their behaviour on what they see and hear from these players and coaches - and these behaviours can go directly against the core values.
Core Values
They undermine the reasoning why we play rugby, why we watch rugby and coach it, and also why parents value it above other sports (take a look at the RFU core values). Having watched some of the top schools play recently I observed, arms flapping, pointing and finger jabs, and clapping a player off when the opposition received a yellow card. All examples of negative Behaviour - which is observed, copied, modelled and learnt behaviour - rarely a trait.
However you, the coaches, can influence these behaviours significantly. Most learning theories agree, you can modify these behaviours by reinforcing and modelling good ones, by rewarding good behaviour not only extrinsically but intrinsically. By the time the refs are in charge, it's too late â they will only use punishment (well they should) which is actually a weak method of behaviour modification.
Change or modify your coaching style to suit the learners needs - the task you are doing and the context of the session. Look at this video to see how they do it at Saracens Academy!
Use specific positive feedback & praise, set constraints within a game that increases players value sets, for example, score points for Good ethical behaviour (formerly known as Sportsmanship).
Final Word
So we have had bad weather, did this stop your coaching or were you creative in your approach to continuing to improve your players? We have spoken about the limited time we have with them, and this week we have heard some terrific examples of coaches being creative and thinking outside of the box.
Short of ideas? Here's a quick fun drill to try with your players if you are ever lacking space!
One young coach did an indoor skills session in the bar of a famous police club, one well known 7s coach moved the weights around in their gym and created some space for 1v1 games. Don't let minor events like snowstorms or hurricanes overcome your ambition to coach - be creative and rise to the challenge!
Share your thoughts and videos if you wish to info@rugbycoachingdrills.com
