The Changing Face of Coaching

[Big ref wit' glasses]

Ever since the defeat on Saturday I have been thnking how coaching as changed at the top level in rugby league.

Up until recently to coach a succesful superleague team you had to do four things.

1) Assemble a suitable group of talented players
2) Prepare and condition these players to a high level of fitness
3) Devise and communicate to the players a suitable set of tactics
4) Use your man mangement skills to encourage and motivate all your personel

When the players went on the field there was very little the coach could do and many coaches would publicly state this fact, most coaches sat aloof in the stand having only a basic route of communication with their players. The coaches main form of communication was the traditional 'geeing up' or 'b*%£ocking' at half time. Substitutions were on a like for like basis with with a player only entering the fray if another player was injured or exhausted.

However on Saturday Tony Smith showed us a master class in modern rugby league coaching, he succesfully anticipated the Wigan double substitution after 20 minutes and adapted his tactics. The ability to show such tactical flexibilty ultimatly won Warrington the game.

I think that this is the way modern rugby will develop. Teams will need to be tactically flexible. It will be vitally important for teams to have a 'plan b' and a 'plan c' available when their 'plan a' is not working and to be able to seamlessly transfer between tactics when required at the most oppotune momment.

The role of substitutes will also change, a new face coming onto the field will not signal more of the same, a new player will offer new tactics and new options for the team as a whole. The four subs a team will have in the future will not be two big heafty forwards, an interchange acting half back plus one other. They will be four impact players of any position which when brought on to the field would mean a large number of other players might have to shuffle position to accomodate the newcomer.

I don't believe that Wigan at present has this tactical flexibility. We don't have the ability to change plans to take advantage of our opponents weaknesses or other oppotunities that may occur. Simply put we are too predictable and a clever coach will be able to outwit us

Next year Nobby needs to make us more flexible, the players on the bench need to give us more options and the ability to change plan. If he is unable or unwilling to do this then perhaps the club would be better off under the management of someone who can.

[DaveO]

The role of substitutes will also change, a new face coming onto the field will not signal more of the same, a new player will offer new tactics and new options for the team as a whole. The four subs a team will have in the future will not be two big heafty forwards, an interchange acting half back plus one other. They will be four impact players of any position which when brought on to the field would mean a large number of other players might have to shuffle position to accomodate the newcomer.

Well I don't think players switching positions to accommodate subs is a good idea. We had this early on in the season when Smith was here and when Riddell went off for his R&R one substitution had TL to 9, Smith from 6 to 7 and Tomkins on at 6 and it was a joke.

What I do agree with though is that players off the bench need to offer impact which is basically something different. They may come on for a player in the same position but they need to offer a different style of play. A good example is at hooker where the substitute 9 has a running game v a passing game.

I have quite often looked at our bench this season and thought it was pretty dull and Feka aside offered little chance of that sort of impact. This is because Nobby sticks with two props and a second row and then a hooker on the bench.

I don't believe that Wigan at present has this tactical flexibility. We don't have the ability to change plans to take advantage of our opponents weaknesses or other oppotunities that may occur. Simply put we are too predictable and a clever coach will be able to outwit us

I agree and it has happened more than in just the semi-final but it all starts with team selection and that subs bench. Even if Noble had the tactical brains to do it he picks a team that lacks the flexibility unless forced into it.

Dave

[cpwigan]

Since coaching began and even in the era pre coaches, RL all sports were / are about exploiting weaknesses in the opposition. Some pre planned, some on the day. No offence but it is nothing new, just good practice.

[BriH]

I agree absolutely with the above.

'Crafty' coaches always looked for ways to exploit the oppositions weaknes - they were doing it when I was a Lad back in the '50's!!!

[old hooker]

Since coaching began and even in the era pre coaches, RL all sports were / are about exploiting weaknesses in the opposition. Some pre planned, some on the day. No offence but it is nothing new, just good practice.

I agree CP

[medlocke]

Since coaching began and even in the era pre coaches, RL all sports were / are about exploiting weaknesses in the opposition. Some pre planned, some on the day. No offence but it is nothing new, just good practice.

I agree CP

:eusa2: