Martin's Rugby Coaching Forum

An ideal coach, is many things to a player. He is the first one to complement you on your success. He is the first one to get on your case if your slacking or saying its allright when you make a mistake. A good coach is a friend a mentor and the reason why you go out on the field and give more than what you ever thought you could. A good coach makes you want to play good.

Hello again Martin

I have started coaching. I have read a number of publications including Jim Greenwood's Total Rugby. This has given me some excellent direction but the courage to experiment with my ideas based on his principles as well.

I have noticed 2 key elements; I am trying to introduce new concepts and when doing this it is important to do this in stages, assessing during the session, what the players can cope with, so they finish each session on a high. If I have been unable to complete my work in the time, I save it until the next session but finish with something positive.

I try to ask questions as to why players do what they do and get them to question their own play. It is great to see their confidence grow as their understanding of why they do what they do, improves.

If your players aren't motivated then nothing else will matter. They have to be willing to do the work to get better. Without motivation they aren't going to want to do it. So it is important to teach them that self motivation is really the only motivation and with your own personal enthusiasm help them find that within themselves.

GOOD MOTIVATOR - UNDERSTANDS INDIVIDUALS REQUIREMENTS