Why are there no coaching manuals anymore?

Could it be that nobody wants to stick their neck out and put something in print that says this is the way things are done? Or could it be that the game is constantly changing and last seasons methods don't work anymore? Maybe it is just too big a job?,Or perhaps we can just "google" it!

I think it could be a combination of all of the above and it might just fall into the too hard basket. Sure the game is constantly changing and I often refer to the game of rugby as a living thing and like all living things it must adapt to survive. However that does not mean we must completely change what we do, many parts of the game are still the same as they have been for years. I have been very lucky to be exposed to some of the best coaches from around the world and the differences are more in the "how" and not the "what". All teams must catch, pass run, kick, scrum etc. There are lots of "how to" videos online but which ones work for you? Below I have written a quick outline on the things required to catch and pass maybe some of this will help you find what is right for you out there.

The basic pass can be broken down to three main actions: 

• The catch 
• The transfer
• The release 

A change through any of these stages will produce a different result. 

Each of these actions are influenced by a number of variables: 

• The delivery prior to the catch
• Speed of the pass  
• The weather conditions
• The amount of pressure applied
• Depth 
• Alignment 
• Support  

Then we can bore down deeper and look at the: 

• Body shape i.e high or low
• Hand position 
• Core strength
• Communication
• Vision

To look further we can even start to prioritise. For example is catching the ball early and out in front a high priority for a player with lots of time and space? We might say "yes" if we believe those extra few seconds will allow him greater time to scan for opportunities or we could say "no" with the emphasis on making sure to catch it at all! How about a forward running wide and flat from a breakdown? We might say "yes" as he will be in a better position to quickly pass it on if the opportunity is there or we may say "no" if we put more emphasis on taking it in close to protect the ball. When asking ourselves these questions we can go even deeper by looking at our team strategy.

So here we are now all of a sudden at team strategy! Could strategy be described as using all of your combined skills to create or exploit a weakness in the opposition?If so then that brings us back to that word "skill" again! One of the most used skills is the catch and pass. Ok here we go again refer to top of page!!

In much of this the ability to control "Time and Space" in almost all skill areas of the game is the key. But which comes first? To allow a skill to develop we must give a player the time and space to perfect the skill. It is from this solid foundation that we systematically apply pressure by reducing the time and space available to the player. To me this will always give both the player and the coach somewhere to go back to when things don't go so well.

So why are the no coaching manuals out there? Well that little blurb above was simply refering to what to look for but with no technical tips at all! So could you imagine the time it would take to fill in the detail, add the variables, take into account the various strategic outcomes a coach may be looking for? So probably the time taken to complete such a manual would lapse just in time for the next stage of the games evolution.

In search of a guru

I will start this blog with a question. Why are there so very few "gurus" in coaching? We often read stories about "gurus” or “experts" in other fields; fields that vary to the extremes from rocket science to flower arranging. Yet to be called an “expert” coach is very rare! I have been very fortunate to have seen some of the best coaches around - each with their own different take on things and ways of delivery. But even with the level of success many of these “expert” coaches have, there is still a high level of criticism fired at them from others. I don't think this is the classic Kiwi "tall poppy" syndrome as I see it outside New Zealand as well. So what is it? Can no one be considered an expert in rugby coaching? Is it only acceptable if they are from another sport and not rugby? Many coaches out there have books by Wooden, Lombardi etc and quote excerpts from them as if reading from the bible! Could the problem lie within our own insecurities? Often if we are uncertain or feel we do not have all the facts we tend to dispel or attack the methods used by others. Human nature? Probably, but why is it so rampant in rugby? Egos maybe?  Or the pressure to succeed?  More than likely a combination of the two. With the limited opportunities out there the key indicator to the worth of a coach appears to be results and often with this guise of success comes an inflated image of self worth. Of all the coaches I have met at whatever level I have found very few who are just plain bad! Some have great content but deliver poorly while others put on a great show but fall flat on technical issues. Each one is different and should be seen as such. Coaches should be allowed to claim the “expert” tag if they can form a combination of the two and then learn from them. Be open to learn from technical and the tactical expertise, formulate your own style but still be true to who you are. Then you too may even consider yourself an expert!

It is no coincidence that the best coaches I have met happily share their methods. It is what we do with those methods that can shape us as coaches. So to be a coaching “guru”, continue to share and learn. Be willing to push the envelope and accept the odd defeat. The criticism will still been thrown your way but be safe in the knowledge that those throwing it will probably quickly move on to the next target as all they likely see are obstacles to their own success and not opportunities to learn from the "guru".

Who else ......really!

There is so much to be said about the world cup final. Already the internet is full of those blasting the Ref or gloating about the victory. Praise should be heaped on both sides as it was a "real" final full of all the tension and thrills a final should have.

But to me there was one thing that really stuck in my mind. What other team in the world could go through four players in the 10 position? This is a key position and a team that is strong in this position will so often have success. But honestly four in a single tournament, three in the sudden death phase! unreal!

For this we must look at the insight shown by the coaching staff. Perhaps a lesson may be learnt in regards to consistency in coaching. John Mitchell was often remembered for his use of the word "journey". To me we have just witnessed a true rugby journey one travelled by the coaches, the players and most certainly the diehard fans.

Coaching is a tough game. Some are good, some are great, some just need a chance but with all of these the whole team needs to believe and then their journeys can begin.

Coaching as a career - yeah right!

From the first moment I touched a rugby ball as a 3 year old playing mini rugby in rural New Zealand I was hooked. From then on my Mum and Dad would follow me to most matches and when I entered rep rugby that often meant very long road trips and cheap motels. Sadly my father never saw me play senior rugby and my mother was only informed of my exploits overseas by the odd newspaper clipping I would send her. Still, great times!  Perhaps this is where I should have stopped. But oh no, I decided to coach!

Coaching allowed me to still feel the highs and lows of the team in battle. There was a familiarity in the smell of liniment and fresh washed jerseys. It wasn't the same as playing but the next best thing.  The highs came from seeing the players develop and knowing I had a hand in their success.  Their feedback fueled my desire as they worked hard to achieve.  Then success came along and a little of the fun started to go. It wasn't success that took away the fun, it was the critics! All of a sudden people want to have a shot at someone doing well at something they love - and at that time something they did for free! Still the players and the great people I met along the way made it all worthwhile. So perhaps I should have stopped there! But oh no, I decided to specialise!

Firstly I was the "drills guy" and then I became the "skills coach". Both these roles brought me into contact with some fantastic people and my rugby knowledge grew with it. But wait! Suddenly no team, no liniment what's going on? It feels like my life is not mine to make mistakes and learn from anymore, I must be herded and guided to fit in with the plans of others. 

So I reckon it's time to coach a team again.  After all I have been exposed to some of the best coaches in the world and coached some great players and coaches from all around the world, so now I have a skill set even greater than before. But wait! I am not in the system! What system?? Who knew there was a system??? And that old adage from the past comes back to me "it's not what you know it's who you know" and more recently a new one I hear a lot "everyone is replaceable". These two phrases bloody irritate me so much. It is clear now that my success will not come from my knowledge, skill set, ability or even potential, but rather from working the system as it is supposed to work.  I don't think I want to do that.  If everyone feels replaceable they will work hard to do what pleases those in power but they will never have the freedom to express themselves and this is the area that great gains come from. I prefer the honest approach - who you know should not matter, judge people on their actions, words are cheap.  Simple old fashioned things today I guess.

So if like me you read this as I once was, a wide eyed player trying to hang on to past glories who wants to coach. Then be prepared to lose your soul. In this world ruled by those who conform there is no room for a free thinker. I know there are many great coaches who now tend to their garden or hide in society rather than compromise their values. Perhaps a result of their free thinking and rugby throughout the world is a lot worse off because of this.

So if you want to advance say "yes" and do what is required. But if you want to be truly great be brave and challenge. If the success does not come from this then at least you can look into the eyes of those you love and feel true to yourself.