Mind over matter

JOHN MITCHELL, writing on the Vodacom Rugby Portal, explains how a coach can have a greater influence on team success by working through the strengths of individuals.

I believe that to have a complete influence on a player, as a coach, you need to know what makes him tick.

Some players are relationship-orientated and want to know how you feel about them, before talking about a decision that was made or a tackle that was missed.

An executor or a doer wants to know that he is working hard, but sometimes you need to tell him to settle down and not overdo it, and rather focus on being accurate in a contest.

Read the rest of Mitchell's column

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images