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Youth coaching and game management philosophy - is this acceptable?
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<blockquote data-quote="Dunhookin" data-source="post: 828205" data-attributes="member: 74570"><p>This topic has notably warmed up - especially with Zoot's contributions - which I find mildly uncomfortable reading, but value the validity and honesty of the points made - as well as how articulate the writing is. </p><p></p><p>The key point for me is the difference in culture between UK and NZ. As clarified by Zoot - the ethos in NZ is that it's all about winning - absolutely not the taking part. This we've seen at international level - the relentless approach of the AB's, their absolute commitment to winning even when it seems out of reach. The Ireland/NZ game in Dublin 2 years ago, the Irish had that won - in everybody's eyes apart from the AB's who proceeded to nick it off the Irish at literally the last second. Only the Kiwis could have done that - nobody else!</p><p></p><p>There are other examples - just as telling, but much less savoury. NZ do what it takes to win - whatever it takes, even when it's outside the laws of the game. The takeout of O'Driscoll in 2005, was a premeditated tactic to eliminate the clear danger man in the Lions ranks. Despite the howls of protest from Kiwis - it was a deliberate act. I'm sure the intention was to temporarily incapacitate O'Driscoll, but the take out was so well executed it ended his tour. Laughably, Graham Henry claimed not to see it (of course you didn't Graham...!) but for sure, had that been the Lions nobbling Dan Carter for a long injury layoff - there would have been monumental hell to pay. The mindset that goes with the win only mentality has been a significant reason why we're continually second best to NZ (plus their ability to execute key skills at pace and under pressure). </p><p></p><p>How many times have we seen a UK club marketing themselves to attract new players with the key line - 'NZ coach' ? How many clubs in NZ are coached by a Brit? It's likely to be on the short side of very few! My son played a season in NZ during his gap year, playing SH for University club (known as Varsity) in Auckland. He had a great time there. Whilst visiting I offered my coaching services to Varsity just as a polite help out/alternative approach perspective etc - they didn't want to know. They weren't rude - but they were indifferent, clearly feeling that RFU coaching badges held little merit. </p><p></p><p>As previously stated, when coaching at club level (much less so at county level)I have adopted a participation approach as first priority - with results as second consideration. This would be alien to NZ culture and is reasonably typical of us Brits for who it is about the taking part. There is also the typically British sense of fair play and treating people considerately. Zoot's point that player development should be a matter for training - and not on the field is partly meritorious - but it's very difficult to reproduce the intensity of match conditions in training. </p><p></p><p>Then there's use of the bench - this I find especially irritating. If the team is 30 points ahead or behind with 20 minutes left the result is settled, it's a perfect opportunity to give the whole bench some game time to try and develop them. However I've seen coaches refuse to do this continually - such coaches also tend to make (non-injury) substitutions with 1 or 2 minutes of time left...? What is the point of that FFS - the game is over.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dunhookin, post: 828205, member: 74570"] This topic has notably warmed up - especially with Zoot's contributions - which I find mildly uncomfortable reading, but value the validity and honesty of the points made - as well as how articulate the writing is. The key point for me is the difference in culture between UK and NZ. As clarified by Zoot - the ethos in NZ is that it's all about winning - absolutely not the taking part. This we've seen at international level - the relentless approach of the AB's, their absolute commitment to winning even when it seems out of reach. The Ireland/NZ game in Dublin 2 years ago, the Irish had that won - in everybody's eyes apart from the AB's who proceeded to nick it off the Irish at literally the last second. Only the Kiwis could have done that - nobody else! There are other examples - just as telling, but much less savoury. NZ do what it takes to win - whatever it takes, even when it's outside the laws of the game. The takeout of O'Driscoll in 2005, was a premeditated tactic to eliminate the clear danger man in the Lions ranks. Despite the howls of protest from Kiwis - it was a deliberate act. I'm sure the intention was to temporarily incapacitate O'Driscoll, but the take out was so well executed it ended his tour. Laughably, Graham Henry claimed not to see it (of course you didn't Graham...!) but for sure, had that been the Lions nobbling Dan Carter for a long injury layoff - there would have been monumental hell to pay. The mindset that goes with the win only mentality has been a significant reason why we're continually second best to NZ (plus their ability to execute key skills at pace and under pressure). How many times have we seen a UK club marketing themselves to attract new players with the key line - 'NZ coach' ? How many clubs in NZ are coached by a Brit? It's likely to be on the short side of very few! My son played a season in NZ during his gap year, playing SH for University club (known as Varsity) in Auckland. He had a great time there. Whilst visiting I offered my coaching services to Varsity just as a polite help out/alternative approach perspective etc - they didn't want to know. They weren't rude - but they were indifferent, clearly feeling that RFU coaching badges held little merit. As previously stated, when coaching at club level (much less so at county level)I have adopted a participation approach as first priority - with results as second consideration. This would be alien to NZ culture and is reasonably typical of us Brits for who it is about the taking part. There is also the typically British sense of fair play and treating people considerately. Zoot's point that player development should be a matter for training - and not on the field is partly meritorious - but it's very difficult to reproduce the intensity of match conditions in training. Then there's use of the bench - this I find especially irritating. If the team is 30 points ahead or behind with 20 minutes left the result is settled, it's a perfect opportunity to give the whole bench some game time to try and develop them. However I've seen coaches refuse to do this continually - such coaches also tend to make (non-injury) substitutions with 1 or 2 minutes of time left...? What is the point of that FFS - the game is over. [/QUOTE]
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