Methods of coaching to improve decision making in rugby
Date
2007-03
Authors
Allen, Trevor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the different methods used by coaches to
improve decision making in ruby. The study included three coaches from the Western Cape
area. Two of the three coaches worked with U/20A league teams and the third coach worked
in the Super A league. Eight coaching sessions were video taped and analysed to identify the
coaching method used when presenting skill development activities. The verbal behaviour
each coach was also recorded. Five rugby games involving each of the teams were also
analysed to determine which team had the highest success rates in key categories.
The results showed that Coach 1 integrated decision making with skill practice
primarily through the method of verbal feedback during sessions where he used a direct
teaching style. His comments to players during technical skill instruction were focussed on
linking their skill performance to its tactical use in a game. The other two coaches followed
the expected pattern of using indirect teaching styles to teach players how to apply tactics.
It was concluded that different coaches may use different teaching styles to improve
players’ decision making. The belief that the direct style of coaching focuses on technical
learning at the expense of tactical understanding may be false. Much more research needs to
be completed on coaching methods before specific recommendations can be made to coaches
about optimal approaches to balancing the demand for good tactical decision making and
sound technical skill performance.
Description
Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Sport science, Theses -- Sport science, Rugby football -- Coaching, Rugby football -- Decision making