The how... not what of coaching A
fter an excellent article written around Matt Wilkie, IRFU’s head of coach development, it pushed me down a rabbit hole, looking at how we can adjust our focus to the how and whom we coach, rather than the specific content, or focusing solely on the what aspects such as technical, tactical and strategic aspects. His interview addressed how he is more interested in how coaching is done, rather than the specific content; he talks of how the vast majority of coaches on the IRFU’s books have used him as a resource, mainly focusing on things like leadership, communication, learning outcomes, and educational models:
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The key thing successful coaches have is probably off the field...It’s their ability to connect, the relationships they form with their players, and their ability to man-manage... those interpersonal skills, communication, emotional intelligence – those seem to be the key attributes of the successful coach. Let’s focus on how we’re coaching, rather than what we’re coaching. There are some areas of significance which can be introduced into our coaching practices, echoing Wilkie’s comments - focus on com-
munication and connection to create bonds and relationships for long term athlete participation, enjoyment and development. I believe when it comes to coaching and player development, the player must sit at the centre of the environment; every individual in your group must sit at the centre of the environment. As a coach, a fundamental factor in ensuring a pathway for your players to maximise their potential and engage them in loving (and staying in) the game is to know and understand them; this means focusing on and
By Jonny McMurty
