What's it take to be a good Head Coach

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BurgoShark

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stormshark said:
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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Ding ding. 50 points. Coaching course for any age says #1 priority is for a coach to develop/find a connection with each player. That is MORE important than technical or tactical footy knowledge. Same for a 6yo player or a 30yo player.

Hijacking the thread to talk junior coaching (again - sorry people) the yesteryear methods are definitely still heavily in use in schools and plenty of junior clubs. For my son’s schools team it’s a steady diet of fitness and drills. Fun is forbidden. Same deal for lots of kids I know who play community footy.

I don’t think footy players are that different across ages/cultures. They want to have fun and feel like they are part of something good. If a coach can tick those two boxes he can delegate anything else he isn’t great at.

I guess at the NRL level it also helps to not look like a complete pumpkin on telly - since you have to to media stuff.
 
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Proud Shark

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stormshark said:
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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No different to school teaching then really. You've gotta reach them to teach them.
 
Sparkles

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Think I got here after all the smart people added their comments. Which is great, as I can just say I agree.
Just like kids, I suspect you need to tap their motivations for doing what they need to for success. Some people love being told what to do so they can just do it, others prefer to be left alone and given a nod when they do the right thing. Sometimes you need a team trip to Macca's.
 
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Spent all morning with a coach of an Australian team (low profile sport) and a couple of WA athletes.
Had some fun with BlazePods, those are pretty cool.

He's definitely very personable with his players, and smart tactically.
Leaves most of the player bullying to the S & C coach to make sure they are in shape.
 
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Think it starts at recruitment, the coach needs to be able to sit down and in 1-2 meetings know if he can connect to a player and build that understanding from day 1 and how well they fit the squads personalities
Sometimes your better off passing on the best player in the comp if it means having to many conflicting personalities.

Players can always get better on the field if they are open to being coached and blend into the squad.

The moment the player doesn’t buy in and trust the coach it is the end.
 
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Sparkles said:
Think I got here after all the smart people added their comments. Which is great, as I can just say I agree.
Just like kids, I suspect you need to tap their motivations for doing what they need to for success. Some people love being told what to do so they can just do it, others prefer to be left alone and given a nod when they do the right thing. Sometimes you need a team trip to Macca's.
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All the smart people? Plural?

Wow our forum IQ is going up every year!
 
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Rhythm, some hand movement, momentum, bit of ball play
 
stormshark

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Can reliably report the current QLD origin Coach, was observed helping out Coaching his sons very jnr team last night.( after seasons in the background) Perhaps a willingness to muck in early, also in some small part, helps the process, to make an ultimate Adult head Coach
 
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