Key areas include selection, de-selection, mentoring, recovery, choosing a captain and discipline.

The communication style during these areas is once again a key feature. Coaches should schedule time for individual meetings to discuss issues such as goal setting, analysis of playing performance or de-selection. Failure to talk to players is a recipe for conflict.

Essentially, coaches need to understand the way a player 'ticks' so that their approach can be manipulated accordingly

Selection

Selecting the best team does not mean selecting the best players

The final decision on selection rests with the Head Coach. Like all aspects of planning, coaches should seek input from reliable sources for an objective selection process. The following selection principles should be followed:

• Seek advice from reliable sources such as the captain and fellow coaches
• Pick players after analysing your opponents and deciding upon your game plan
• Be honest and open with selection reasoning
• Inform players individually when deselected
• Consider the behaviour of players as selection point approaches and be mindful of a player's drift towards self-preservation and selfish attitude towards other team mates. Once you have identified these sort of players tell them that high quality team work is a selection criteria!

Consider ways to cover gaps in the team when key players are injured - address this issue early and involve the whole squad

Once selection is complete coaches should manage the de-selection process with equal importance. A key or disruptive player can have negative effects on team spirit and this needs to addressed as early as possible, and definitely before the team is announced to the group.

All players deserve personal feedback when they are deselected

The aim is to have clearly defined selection procedures and time-scales. For example, a backs coach may be responsible for informing backs that have been de-selected while in the presence of a head coach.

Not all players conform to normal team behaviour - manage prima donnas carefully

Some players go out of their way to be different and battle against team norms. If these players fail to perform during matches then this issue becomes more prevalent and players will become less tolerant of non-conformist behaviour. Take action before it reaches danger point!

Mentoring

All good coaches should exhibit behaviour that may be described as mentoring

Helping players with the process of self-reflection is a central feature of player management. However, it may be more effective and time efficient to allocate a senior player or person outside of the management set up, to mentor players, particularly for inexperienced players.

Mentor can be assigned to players to help them follow their performance plan

Recovery

The recovery status of players should be closely managed to ensure they are in optimum condition for competition. Feedback from senior players is crucial while in-season sessions that are too lengthy raise the following issues:-

• Reduced intensity
• Decreased concentration
• Reduced enjoyment/increased boredom
• Increased injury risk
• Loss of leg speed and agility
  

Having extra training and too many meetings during a build up to a match can cause mental
and physical overload