What i have learnt in my first 8 weeks as a coach

I thought it might be fun to document some of the things i have learnt since starting coaching.

Learn Fast. 

It’s ok if you don’t know something, but its not ok if you don’t try and find it out. I have a theory that people don’t know what they are talking about when they speak in stereotypes and generalisations. People see through it. As someone who played in the front row my whole career its hard to know some of the intricacies of back line positional play, its ok. But Ask questions and find out from people smarter then you. Ive been asking a lot of questions.

People are all Different 

Everyone sees the world differently, has different goals, different hopes, different dreams, different attitudes to things, different egos. Some people like direct approaches, some like an arm around them, some need visuals, some need it in writing. Trying to get a group of people all on the same page and pushing towards the same goal is a real challenge. But, i have a feeling that if i ever get it right it would be incredibly rewarding.

Things mean more when it comes from the players.

I always thought this, but coaching has confirmed it for me. If a player everyone respects says the same things i say it means a hell of a lot more to the group then me saying it. The players go through the work together and lose and win together, so its important to get the key players in the group to buy into and push your vision. 

Be positive, even if you are being negative. 

As good as it might feel to go off the handle on occasions, it really doesn’t actually help anything. What matters is the effect you can have on the group, not how you feel. The couple of occasions I’ve had to go hard at the group I’ve tried to do it in a positive undertone, even if it was with negative overtones. I’m not sure if it worked though lol.

Winning feels better, losing hurts more.

The first game we won this year was after a few loses and i was elated. Not for myself, but for everyone involved in the team. They needed to know that the hard work they where doing was worth it, they needed that win to believe in what we are trying to do. They won and they deserved it. I had nothing to do with it. 

Keep it simple stupid.

Don’t use 10 words if you can use 2, and if you can use a photo its even better. Be concise...