What's it take to be a good Head Coach

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With Trent Barrett's departure and all the speculation about other coaches under pressure, I thought I'd get all your thoughts on what you think makes a good Head Coach in the NRL.

What are the qualities for success?
 
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Geez Chad, at first glance I couldn’t believe your thread title, then I read it properly.

Ok, IMO,
Good man manager,
Not insecure enough to not have the ability to share the role & delegate part of the role to his 2IC & assistants
Tactically smart
Back his instincts
Know his shortfalls & ensuring his assistants are strong in those area’s
Good communicator
Knowing when to draw the line & not be one of the boys
Having respect of not only the players but overall footy dept
Passionate
Ability to have rapport with the young kids coming through all the way to the seasoned vet
 

BurgoShark

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Man management seems to be a big thing. A lot of coaches have talked about it being the biggest part of the job, and the strategy/technical stuff being something that can be delegated to assistants. I played with several guys who had been in the Broncos system, and they all said that Bennett was always really up front and honest with every player - even if/when he had to let them go. They all loved him for that.

John Cooper - one of the most successful current pro coaches in North American sport - says that he has built several successful teams with the mindset "culture over x's and o's". He says that while the technical details of how they play is important, they won't win unless they like and respect the coach, like and respect each other, and enjoy coming to training/games.

To a certain extent some of this can be delegated/offloaded. I know that at the Broncos currently it is Ben Ikin's job to built the roster, and he is big in to analytics around getting the right mix of youth/experience/strike players/steady players and so on. Ultimately this is done with oversight and/or heavy involvement from the head coach, so it's up to Kevvie to make it work once Ikin's given him the players.

Ikin says that he signed Ryan James for culture reasons, and he says that as soon as Xavier Willison (dev player currently recovering from ACL injury) is healthy he will be in the squad - even if he may not be 100% ready for NRL. Apparently Willison's work ethic is a cut above the rest of the young players and having him set the standard will push the rest.
 
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Thresher

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I found this online

A coach should be able to explain ideas clearly. Clear communication means setting defined goals, giving direct feedback and reinforcing the key messages. Acknowledging success is also essential for good communication.
But I think if you can out-drink and out-fight your squad you'll get their respect. Then get your assistant coaches to run them through some drills etc.
If a player misses training because of a hangover they won't see their name on this week's game sheet.
 
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bort

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The confidence to drop proven players who are unpopular, ‘boring’, or just not the teams best players for unproven youngsters the fans want to see just in case they go okay
 

andrew's_sharks

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Not reacting adversely after a loss or poor noise (despite the wish at times for wholesale changes, combinations require time and sometimes patience).
 
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I found this online


But I think if you can out-drink and out-fight your squad you'll get their respect. Then get your assistant coaches to run them through some drills etc.
If a player misses training because of a hangover they won't see their name on this week's game sheet.
Who are you, Siri? :LOL:
 
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If your goal is to buy a good sofa, start by looking closely at the frame. Cheaper sofas may have frames made from particleboard, plastic, ...
Huh? Sometimes your humour escapes me Bort.

Edit: Ah OK, you are talking about couches, not coaches. Very funny.
 

bort

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Huh? Sometimes your humour escapes me Bort.
Haha everyone else too sometimes

I was being Siri
‘What does it take to make a good couch
Because she’s a notoriously **** listener
 

stormshark

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Main criteria at the moment is a connection with the younger players, communication and development, and acknowledging their differences/coaching needs.. Particular respect/awareness/understanding of the Polynesian, Maori, and Indigenous boys' slightly differing motivation trigger points, and in part cultural/religious beliefs is important. The younger generation in the majority no matter what background , just wont play for a Coach using methods of yesteryear. Aint got that above, all the drills/methods in the world won't getchya a win. Psychology 101.
 
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