Transcript
COACH
How did you feel when you asked a question midway through-- what could we do? What could we challenge? And nobody responded. What was going on then for you?
JACK
I think-- well, the first initial thought I was thinking, did I word it right?
COACH
Good point. Yes.
JACK
Was my English correct? And then the second thought process was, was I using too much jargon or language that for individuals who don't take part in rugby throughout the week or throughout the year? Was it clear enough for them? Was it peeled back enough for everyone? And then I also thought if I can inject a few words or ignite a few thoughts, that may be a question or an answer would come out of that.
COACH
And that's the one thing to wrap up. I'm really proud you've done that, in that a lot of coaches immediately blame the athlete or the learner. Why aren't they getting this? Why are they struggling? Why aren't I getting feedback or buy-in? But I think it's really important that we reflect and think about, did I phrase that question to the level? That's a real honest reflection that thinking about yourself in practise and how you influence the athletes is a real honest conclusion to that.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
All right, guys. Good coaching sessions. I enjoyed that practical. I'd like to start off-- Isabel, what did you think? What did you take from your performance today?
ISABEL
I'm really happy with the way that the performance went today for me individually and from the students I was coaching. And it was nice to receive the feedback from the group that I did and to see that my personality was coming across within the coaching and that I was relaxed.
COACH
I'm actually pleased for that. I think I couldn't agree more. Considering our theme was looking at the best version of self, and how often in practise we present the best version of self, I guess for you, Jack, does anything stand out for you? Or what are your reflections on your best vision of self in practise?
JACK
The best version of myself would be to implement in key stages my personality and the ability to-- my humour, or my-- just the way I am, my personal traits. But also, for me, the biggest for that session was little one percenters that made a massive difference TO me-- either trying to look the part, which I thought-- especially with coaching a group of mates, I think it's really important from the get-go that you show that professionalism-- that you show that front as well as also relating back to who you truly are. And I thought that was the biggest thing for me. I thought I tried my best to try and be who I am and give it a go.
COACH
So I guess looking back on your practise, to what extent do you think you presented the best version of self?
STUDENT
Well, before the whole session started, I was joking around with the lads because they're all my mates. But then I think it's not serious. It was professional. I was being professional. And I felt like I was doing it just because I wanted them to improve, not because I felt like this is a job. The teacher's watching. I just wanted them to improve. So everything that they did wrong-- and that was one of the reasons why, as soon as I seen them do something wrong, I jumped straight into the session and give them little one pointers. I also, before the session, made my mind up that I wouldn't explain too much. I wouldn't say too much. The only thing that I'd do is give coaching points and coaching tips because I'm aware they can all play football. So I don't want to, like, overload them with information that they probably already know because that's when students start looking other places and losing their attention.
COACH
I think the nice thing is all that joins up. Coaching 101 says you shouldn't jump in every time. Let people experiment. But you know the standards these guys can play at. I think that was a very real pragmatic session. But the nice thing for me is that you are aware of the aspects of your personality that can be injected into practise and that you touchpoint nicely there-- and I think Jack mentioned it-- the idea of front and impressions. We know from Goffman's research-- the presentation of self. I think just a bare minimum, as long as the coach is thinking about it and how they are portraying the best version of self in the moment, I think that that's only a positive moving forward.
[MUSIC PLAYING]