Tackling training: the defence coach's guide

Process-focused training

• A pad holder moves from side to side, and then forward
• The tackler comes forward, adjusting their feet to make a strong contact

Balancing process with outcome

Being ’focused process’ in my approach demands that I assess the most important one or two elements, rather than trying to totally fix all the theoretical elements of the player’s tackle, which is the danger of being too ’process focused’.

For less-experienced players, I am more process driven. They are still learning the basics. 

Even if I am working hands-on with players, I will consider carefully the level of detail I offer them. Some players can handle a lot of detailed information and still execute and perform effectively. Others will lose their effectiveness if they are inundated with too much detail at the one time.

A critical skill for effective coaching is understanding on an individual basis how much detailed information you should offer without compromising effective processes and outcomes.

In other words, knowing what to leave out at any given time in your coaching delivery, message, assessment or feedback is about being able to focus on the most important things that matter in achieving better outcomes.

“Knowing is not enough; we must understand. Willing is not enough; we must do” 

Bruce Lee

I like this mantra because, as a coach, I have a good knowledge of the game and believe in what I do. But, more importantly, it is the players who must believe that they can deliver in the heat of the battle.

A key challenge for a coach is to turn knowledge into effective execution and performance by developing clear and concise understanding from the players in what they need to do, how to do it, when to do it and why they do it.