Proactive Ways of Improving Your

CoachingDave Johnson

National Coach Development Manager(Talent and Community Coaches)

Coaching

)“I believe in player development and I believe in the impact that coaches can have on that development. Kevin Bowring (RFU Head of Elite Coach Development)

EMPOWERMENTLynn Kidman (Athlete Centered Coaching) promotes

empowerment as an important coaching process, but this has to be achieved without coaches abdicating responsibility. Coaches can and should defer to superior knowledge, such as that of the doctors, physios or specialist coaches, but the buck has to stop with the head coach. The challenge now is for the coach to be a facilitator. The modern head coach will need enough knowledge in all areas.

You owe it to your players to be the best coach you can possibly be.”Dave Whitaker (1988 GB Olympic gold medal hockey team

coach)

KNOWING THE COACH YOU WANT TO BE.Justin Hughes of the Red Arrows talks about the desirability of

conducting a self critique of your own performance as the very first step in evaluating performance. Valuable lessons for coaches are to commit to learning and to excellence; to set high standards and not compromise on your coaching philosophy; to have ambition - “If you don’t go for it, you never achieve it.”

Workforce Research

Coaching is a key, and might be argued the most important, building block for any sport.

Audit carried out of rugby league coaches in the UK to assist with planning for the management and development of the coaching workforce within Rugby League.

Coach Characteristics

Age No. %

<16 yrs 8 0.3

16 – 21 yrs 50 5

22 – 29 yrs 134 13

30 – 39 yrs 505 50

40 – 49 yrs 274 27

>49 yrs 34 3

Total 1007 100

Age distribution

0 10 20 30 40 50

>16

16-21 years

22-29 years

30-39 years

40-49 years

>49 years

Distribution of Coaching HoursNo. of Hrs.

% Avge. Hrs. per

week

Prep. For coaching

435 14 2.25

Coach Delivery 1136 37 5.75

Communication to parents/others

235 8 1.25

Reviewing, monitoring, evaluating

273 9 1.5

Coach Admin 289 9 1.5

Travel 525 17 2.75

CPD / Learning 200 7 1.0

Total 2143 100 15.5

0 2 4 6 8

Preparation

Delivery

Communication

Monitoring

Administration

Travel

Development

Types of CPD used in previous 12 months

Type of CPD %

Advice from family/friends 63

Coaching conferences 50

Coaching Practice 80

Coaching Qualifications 58

Education outside Coaching 46

Experience at Work 55

Experience of Parenting 45

Experience as a Participant 48

Online Learning 56

Reading 83

Types of CPD used in previous 12 months

Type of CPD %

Reflection on Past Coaching 78

Watching DVD’s, CD’s, Video 80

Work with Coach Mentor 44

Work with Participants 74

Observe/Work with Coaches 79

Observing Other Sports 47

Observing Own Coach 39

Workshops/Training Courses 62

1:1 Training Needs Analysis 15

Other 4

UK Coaching Framework

Create a world-leading coaching system in the UK by 2016.

The vision outlined in the Framework is to create a cohesive, ethical, inclusive and valued coaching system where skilled coaches support children, adults, players and athletes at all stages of their development in sport.

Coach Development

Developing a highly skilled coach workforce that is aligned to the needs of International, professional, semi-professional and Community Rugby League

ObjectiveEstablish a UK-wide coaching system that meets the standards of the UK Coaching Framework by 2012, and increases the number and quality of coaches developed, employed and deployed at each stage of the RFL Player Pathway.

Long Term Coach Development Model

RFL Support

Regional Manager

SACTalent and Coach Manager

Talent Coaches CRLC’s Tutor Workforce

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Interactive coaching website

www.rugbyleaguecoaching.co.uk

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Aims & objectivesAims

• To provide an up to date, relevant support resource for UKCC coaches working in specific environments

• To remain the lead expert in the provision of cutting edge ‘on demand’ support services to coaches

Objectives

• To provide session plans and current practical resources to support coaches in the field

• To improve access to information for qualified coaches

• Enhance coach development by challenging current theory and practice

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How it works

Landing page

• Register• Log in• About us• News• Coaching pathway• CPD• Help• Contact us

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How it works

Navigation

Access is limited to the coaches environment. Sections relate to the 4x4x5 matrix, pictured on the left side of the screen.

Rotate the rugby ball and click on the text to access.

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How it works

Content

Users can browse technical and tactical content

Access session plans and new ideas to enhance coaching delivery

Ask the expert

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How it works

Content

Small sided games to increase understanding

Example of small sided games

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What are the benefits?

• Relevant

• Up to date

• Supportive

• Expert knowledge

• Timely “on demand” service

• Coach (and player) centred

• Self developmental/thought provoking

Available content

Session plansCase studiesArticlesSmall sided gamesVideo footageTactical contentInterviews