It's time to review your coaching!
It's important for every coach to review and reflect on their coaching over the course of a season. However, now that the season is over for many Northern Hemisphere clubs it is crucial to review your season, so that you can start building towards the next!
The Micro Review is an excellent method and a great place to start, start by asking yourself the following questions:
- What went well?
- What did not go well/did not go too plan?
- What changes will you make?/ What will you do differently next time?/ What learning can you take away?
Along with reviewing and reflecting on your own teams performance and the players individual performances, you must do the same with your own performance as the coach. An excellent method is to buddy up with a coach you have worked consistently with and mentor each other. Nothing in depth, more of snapshot of you as a coach...
Here are some examples of questions to ask yourself or other coaches with some excellent video clips for you to view and assist your thinking:
- What was I good at? Did I favour a certain approach to coaching?
- Was my coaching style relevant for what I was coaching i.e was I too autocratic in a trying to be player centered?
- Did I rely on playing games without technical input, fault correction or specific feedback?
- Was I too reliant on drills and closed practice and OVER Technical rather than having a balanced game focused session with technical input?
- Were my sessions delivered using an APES (Active, Purposeful, Enjoyable and Safe) focus?
- Did I plan sufficiently?
- Did the players learn anything or improve over the season? (might not be your fault)
- Am I ready for the coming season changes in Age Grade Rugby or do I need further CPD and development?
- Were my sessions enjoyable for the players?
- Did I enjoy the experience of Coaching?
The value you will get from some or all of these types of questions is invaluable. You are most probably a volunteer, a parent with a child in an age group or even an ex-player coaching as a role to stay in the game. Whatever role you have try and not make the same mistakes, listen to others and take on board positive feedback - stay current, that does not mean the latest rucking drills by an international player, but instead what learning and coaching methods are out there that your players will engage with. We will discuss more of these approaches in the run up to next season.
Preparing for your next season
First up, take a break. Don't over think your role as a coach, it is really easy to fall out of love with the game by losing the main reason that you started playing or coaching - stay focused on these personal goals and you will be fine for the coming season.
Plan your start dates (probably done) - which includes setting a date to contact other coaches in the age group and then don't bother each other over the summer break. Play other sports, enjoy being coached if possible and switching off from being a coach, especially the responsibility that goes with it.
When you do recommence the season, set some goals out - the SMART goal setting acronym is an excellent method. Perhaps more importantly, the goals and targets you have must be shared, player led or focused if possible and enjoyable to pursue. They will set your season out and give you an excellent opportunity to create the right atmosphere from the start and during the season.
One of the most important transitions for age grade rugby is the progression into the tackle from players and coaches who have not tackled before. On paper it can seem daunting, and a very challenging aspect of the role, which it is, but it is also fun, and rewarding as well. It is these aspects that you as the coach MUST impart on your players:
Here are some simple games for you view and get some ideas about making the progression in the tackle fun and enjoyable but SAFE!
Remember the Hierarchy of Contact discussion we had in an earlier article? Well in my observations this season we are still seeing the RUCK being coached first rather than the avoidance of the ruck, far too much time is spent on falling over, lying on the floor and then adopting a static strong posture over the ball - in defence or attack! Where is the footwork, beating a player skills, teaching ball carrying techniques and offloading games... the RUCK is the last aspect you coach not the FIRST!
If you are looking to set up a school or club account
with RCD then please get in touch with info@rugbycoachingdrills.com
