Proactive Ways of Improving Your Coaching Dave Johnson

Proactive Ways of Improving Your Coaching Dave 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) EMPOWERMENT Lynn 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 1007 100 Total

Distribution of Coaching Hours No. 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 2143 100 15. 5 Total

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 Objective Establish 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.

RFL Support Regional Manager SAC Talent and Coach Manager Talent Coaches CRLC’s Tutor Workforce

Interactive coaching website www. rugbyleaguecoaching. co. uk 14

Aims & objectives Aims • 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 15

How it works Landing page • Register • Log in • About us • News • Coaching pathway • CPD • Help • Contact us 16

How it works Navigation Access is limited to the coaches environment. Sections relate to the 4 x 4 x 5 matrix, pictured on the left side of the screen. Rotate the rugby ball and click on the text to access. 17

How it works Content Users can browse technical and tactical content Access session plans and new ideas to enhance coaching delivery Ask the expert 18

How it works Content Small sided games to increase understanding Example of small sided games 19

What are the benefits? • • Relevant Up to date Supportive Expert knowledge Timely “on demand” service Coach (and player) centred Self developmental/thought provoking 20 Available content Session plans Case studies Articles Small sided games Video footage Tactical content Interviews