Paul O’Connell was on ‘Off the ball’ recently and he was talking about his experiences with coaching. He found that one of the biggest challenges is communicating the transfer of knowledge.
When he’s trying to get his message across there’s doubts about whether the listener understood it. In his head it makes sense but does the player get the point?
He goes on to say that’s why so many teachers like Declan Kidney, Eddie O’Sullivan and Joe Schmidt become great rugby coaches because they’re well practiced in transferring the knowledge.
He makes a great point and I think it isn’t specific to Rugby coaching either, it applies to all walks of life. Basically everyone who’s ever tried to get their point across.
How can anyone do what you say if they don’t understand what you want?
How is someone supposed to agree with you if they don’t know the point you’re trying to make?
Thomas Duggan 