The recent Rugby World Cup, 2023, was a very interesting event especially from a play/ coaching perspective. I am no sports guru nor a rugby fundi for that matter, what I do appreciate is watching events play out by coaches and analysing that for my future trainings.
I have not followed Mr Rassie Erasmus nor rugby as a whole, but the recent world cup had many people at the edge of their seats. There was also many armchair coaches and analysts commenting about the player choice of the coach and the ‘weird’ bench selection that he chose. There are quite a few interesting lessons to be learnt from this ‘eccentric’ coach who seemed to challenge the systems in many ways.
I want to post a few points that I hope coaches of team sports rethink their approach to player selections, team selections, play tactics and most of all ensuring you are able to get the best out of the players. The analysis presented will not be in any particular order of importance but rather points to consider as you journey forward.
Analysis
- Plan – Mr Rassie approached the world cup with a particular play style in mind, he would have done his homework as to how the other teams play.
- Players – He chose players who he knew could work at executing his or the plan. He did not choose a team of players and then force them into a mould but rather moulded the team around the plan or vice verse.
- Tactics – The ‘analysts’ saw his process as a problem but later praised him when they saw the outcome. The plan, in my opinion, was to ensure they can defend and attack equally well. The other was to ‘preserve’ the players by managing them effectively to last the duration of the tournament.
- Player Management – This was, for me, the best management of players that I have seen from a professional perspective. The other was that players knew the plan and they executed it with precision. This was evident when players were substituted even though they were having their best game. All the players reached the final with more than enough to carry the team through.
- Substitutions – This is a big one for me. Many players who are bench starters are made to feel second best. In the case of Rassies plan, his substitutions were planned and strategic. Having gained the term ‘The Bomb Squad’, these players did just that. Being a reserve should not mean that you are not good enough, but rather you are needed for a particular purpose and your time will come to play.
- Team Culture – I am certain that many South Africans in particular, the ‘experts’ of the game, had already set up the gallows to hang Rassie for his selected squad. Watching the team play, those on the bench were so hungry to go on and perform, not prove a point. Those that were being substituted knew that they had done their job and that their successor will follow through. They had equal faith and trust in each other.
- Plan Execution – There is a Chinese proverb that says, It is not the force of the water that breaks the rock, but its consistency’. From match one everyone saw Mr Rassies strategy. A key question in people’s minds was, when is it going to change and how, given the squad selection he had. Rassie did not need to change his plan execution he forced the others to adapt to his. He stuck to his play and in forcing others to try and change he forced them into awkward situations. How does one play against a team that knows their craft and accepts the game strategy and executes it with passion.
- Reason to Stay with the Plan – Rassie stuck to his or the plan. My view regarding this is that players knew what was required and expected. Changing the strategy too often can become confusing and this tends to lead to mistakes and frustration.
- Winning – In the last few matches the team won by one point. During one of my conversations with people regarding the matches an interesting comment was made. Whether you win by one point or ten the result is that you win. The other part of that discussion is that if you win by large margins sometimes you may be doing too much.
- Injury Prevention – What many do not realise when participating in sport is that many injuries occur when the participants are tired (physically and mentally). In a sport like rugby players would not prepare when being tackled or when tackling and this then leads to serious injuries. Basic disciplines are also lost due to mental and physical fatigue. As discussed under player management, Mr Rassie monitored this closely that our players did not get too a point of no return in their ability to play during the tournament.
Conclusion – Way Forward
– Coaches do remember you are not working with static elements, just like chess pieces may be static, you still have limited control as each piece has specific characteristics.
– As mentioned in previous posts, know your players strengths and weaknesses and use them accordingly.
– If you are choosing the best players ensure they fit into your plan or you fitting into their ability. Boxing players and then stating that you are boxing smart, in my opinion is foolish.
– If your players believe in you and you in them. You both believe and accept the strategy and tactics only then will success follow.
– Having watched a few sports documentaries lately, it is evident that there are a few ways of ‘growing’ success. A coach can instill fear making it his way and no other way or you can get a player who will drive the team and dictate processes.
– The point above has its pros and cons and I may not fully agree with either process but what is evident is that the players either accepted this or they left. As a coach finding that balance and angle of approach becomes crucial. Working with amateur players is a different case. Having said that, the other part is equally important, not because you are amateur do you not instill or display professional qualities. This applies to both coaches and players.
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