RLC001 Coachtalk 2007(V2).Indd
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Published By Shamrock Books Suite 1F / Trust House 3070 Surfers Paradise Boulevard Surfers Paradise 4217 PO Box 259 Surfers Paradise 4217 Queensland, Australia Phone (07) 5538 9377 Fax (07) 5538 9388 Email [email protected] Web www.rlcm.com.au Compiled by Rugby League Coaching Manuals Gary Roberts, Keith Hookway. Production Ardium Pty Ltd Photography Matt Roberts Queensland Sports Photography www.queenslandphotography.com.au Coach Talk Yearbook ISSN 1443-4210 National Library Collection Written by Hanna James McCarthy / Dr Adrian Hurley / Anne Thompson Thanks to the coaches. Dedicated to Rugby League Coaches at all levels of the game. Published January 2007 © Copyright RLCM, 2000 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing by the publisher. Contents Introduction .........................................................................5 Graham Murray ..................................................................7 Wayne Bennett .................................................................11 Tim Sheens .........................................................................15 Steve Folkes .......................................................................21 Jason Taylor .......................................................................25 Neil Henry ...........................................................................29 Shaun McRae .....................................................................33 Brian McLennan ...............................................................37 Recovery (Dr. Aaron Coutts) ..............................................41 Nutrition (Leanne Hammond) ...........................................45 Dr. Adrian Hurley OAM .....................................................49 Anne Thompson ...............................................................58 Written by: Hanna James McCarthy An RLCM Publication Introduction Evolution. Defined as any process of formation or growth; development’, it alludes to a key characteristic of both the game of rugby league, and the men coaching it. As the face of the professional game continues to change, the unspoken laws and commandments of coaching adapt to allow teams to meet a new standard of excellence. However, one commandment always remains true in the eyes of the NRL coach; winning is everything. Anything less is simply not acceptable. With every season, the pace of the game quickens, the pressure grows. Constantly under public scrutiny, a coach must remain two steps ahead at all times. He must have incredible foresight, be a great communicator, have the capacity to learn quickly and be able to think on his feet. Eternally devising ways to exploit the weakness of the opposition, he must mould his team to do the same. Forward thinking and a willingness to take risks may more often than not be his saving grace; the onus of responsibility to produce miracles rests on his shoulders. RLCM Coachtalk Yearbook opens up a realm of the unknown, bringing you insight from the men who walk, or have walked the line of greatness, only to have been deemed a failure by a demanding public who cry foul. For the head coaches of National Rugby League clubs around Australia and New Zealand, this lifestyle is both a challenge and a sacrifice. While those who reach the top reap the rewards, they have suffered for their art. They have worked tirelessly to remain ahead of the pack while at the same time avidly reviewing not what they can do to improve their team, but what they can do to improve themselves. In this book, advice and direction is offered on, not only how they coach now, but how their style of coaching will change as seasons go by. Essentially, they recognise the value of evolution. Hanna James McCarthy 5 COACHTALK YEARBOOK Plays are courtesy of “RLCM - Drills Book” 6 GRAHAM MURRAY Graham Murray North Queensland Cowboys Head Coach As the National Rugby League approaches its first centennial, rugby league has reached the height of professionalism. With continuing demands from fans and the media for teams to successfully compete at an elite level, the pressure is on for teams to succeed. For players, performing to the expectations of their peers and their club, rugby league has become a full time job. Training for an upwards of 40 hours a week, they have to be prepared both mentally and physically for challenges on and off the field. However, if they fail to perform, both individually and as a unit, the onus of responsibility automatically shifts to the head coach and his staff. Graham Murray, coach of the North Queensland Cowboys, believes that the culmination of a consistent and efficient coaching staff is paramount for the continuing success of a squad. Following the philosophy that everyone’s word (be it the assistant coach, players or management) is of equal value, ensuring all ideas are represented equally and that everything is open for discussion, Murray utilises his middleman to achieve success and fulfil his responsibilities with the squad. The result: a team that has risen from the bottom of the table to grand finalists, utilising expansive play and capitalising upon a cohesive support system. While on the field the Cowboy’s biggest weapon is their ability to open up the game with elusive play and by continually increasing the speed of play, the largest advantage they have off the field is their coaching staff. Unlike some clubs, the structural foundation of the Cowboys’ staff under Murray advocates the sharing of all aspects of their game. The responsibility of preparing the team does not rest solely upon the head coach, yet belongs to the players and the coaching staff in its entirety, and demands that the assistant coaches claim some ownership of the game. As a consequence, the majority of work is delegated throughout the staff - right through assistant coaches, trainers and managers. Following the ideology that everyone is entitled to an opinion, the result is a general think tank that supplies Graham Murray with a legion of ideas for the team; although that might not be the easiest route, if it is beneficial to the Cowboys’, then it is taken on board. The main focus of this strategy is to maintain a fresh perspective on 7 COACHTALK YEARBOOK where the club is heading, but at the same time remain consistent, ensuring that the team and the coaching staff are on the same page. As Murray says, “Sometimes I will say, listen, I don’t necessarily agree with that, however, I am going with it, because that is the way we should go as a football team. I will always listen. I am all for an assistant coach who runs the session, I encourage a coach to come through the door and say, I had a look at this, this is not a bad idea.” Inevitably, there are times where everyone fails to agree. Yet what sets the Cowboys apart is their consistency; as a result of Murray’s policy of equality, and a supportive coaching staff, what the players can be certain of is that regardless of who said it, the message remains the same. Murray agrees, stating, “Our club works on the consistent word that comes through from all the coaches.” Essentially, the ideology is that eventually the team will have three head coaches. By allocating the assistant coaches added responsibility from the beginning, and increasing their involvement with the team as time goes on, they will already be familiar with procedure and be able to suggest ideas of their own. Emphasising the importance of this assimilation process, Murray remarks, “They don’t just put cones out, they don’t do water bottles - they coach. They have a big say in our little rules and schools which is their forte, but the overall coaching of it, it doesn’t matter whose word it is, it is part of the Cowboys’ way. I am a great believer in assistant coaches and they’ve got to have a say. “ An example of this is the way half time is handled in the Cowboys dressing room. While the traditional time distribution would see the head coach conduct the half time talk to his players, Murray ensures that the first four minutes are handled by his staff: one coach will speak to the forwards and the other assistant coach to the backs. As a result, the players become familiar with the assistant staff and will respond to their instructions, allowing for clear communication channels throughout the team. Additionally, this particular method will be beneficial for the team when Murray reports for Origin duty; it is the responsibility of the remaining coaches to take over in his absence. With the support of the Senior Six (the Cowboys leadership group), the remaining coaches should have no problems adjusting to the leadership role and Murray should have no qualms with leaving his side. However, Murray understands when he must draw the line; although the Cowboys concentrate on having more than one coach, Graham Murray is the 8 GRAHAM MURRAY head coach and still has the final say. Murray maintains a ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ policy with his staff and players and is open to criticism of his methods. Along with always remaining positive in front of his players, Murray follows this general rule; “You’re the man and you should be... that leadership and that responsibility is yours because you are the head coach.” As well as bringing a new level of player commitment, motivation and team spirit to the side, Murray has bought the team a new lease of life. Players are expected to make goals for themselves, and take responsibility for their performance. While the coaches work primarily to improve their game, Cowboys players are expected to work for the coaches as well and provide analysis on their opposition where they can. There is no greater tool than when a player is willing to put effort into the game plan; if they want it to work, then eventually it will. “They are much better than they were about knowing the opposition and doing a little bit on the opposition.” Murray says. “I think a player still sees himself as, I get myself prepared and then the coach tells me all about the opposition; I think we are slowly breaking that down a bit, getting them to work a bit harder, I’m a strong believer in what the players say.