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The secret to motivation is the way you communicate - with the right approach you'll get enthusiasm and positive action - from yourself
and those you coach

Various methods enhance the motivation levels within training sessions and during matches, including goal setting, rewarding positive outcomes and involving players in the planning process.

Allowing and encouraging players to take responsibility for their own behaviour and performance outcomes has a significant impact

Involving players in the design of training sessions and programmes is a key step to increasing adherence, commitment and ownership. Senior squad players in particular should be consulted and may also be used to take small sections of training sessions which illustrates their commitment to the content.

Cash bonuses have been a common method of rewarding success

Rewarding players with cash bonuses has been a feature of most semi-professional and professional rugby clubs. This process is unlikely to motivate players to play with more commitment, but does reinforce the positive outcomes of winning. Coaches should focus on other means of reward such as trips or kit and more importantly, encourage players to appreciate the intrinsic rewards such as self-satisfaction, enjoyment and sense of achievement.

Rewards such as praise, publicity and increased self-esteem are often more powerful than the tangible rewards of money

The effects of rewards are dependent on the orientation of the player - some are very financially motivated while others are more intrinsically motivated.

Players with high levels of intrinsic motivation are those who reach high levels in rugby and are more likely to be absolutely committed

Positive motivation is the preferred approach and moves players towards a positive experience, and towards something they want to happen, while a negative approach aims to drive players away from a negative experience.

Pre match talk

A feature of a coach's motivation and communication style is the pre-match talk. Some coaches shout and scream and demand life sacrificing effort while others are cool and calculated and know how to trigger positive energy within the group.
TOP TIP
Involve senior squad players in the design and focus of skills training sessions
TOP TIP
If you want a truly successful squad of players, recruit those that are self-motivated - there is a very high correlation between self-motivation, low body fat, high fitness levels and consistency in performance
Application Example
Motivational Pre-match talk
Instructions

Consider these 3 statements and decide which would be the most appropriate during a pre-match talk

1. This time, let's start aggressively and maintain concentration throughout the entire match. No missed tackles, no dropped passes and no sloppy passes.

2. This time, no missed tackles, fumbles or sloppy passes. Let's start aggressively and maintain concentration throughout the entire match.

3. This time, make every tackle, hold on to the ball and pass accurately. Let's start aggressively and maintain concentration throughout the entire match.

The second statement makes players aware of what to avoid and provides a positive goal at the end. However, the third statement is purely positive and provides a few process goals along the way.
TOP TIP
Don't simply prescribe training regimes - ask players what they think they should be doing.
TOP TIP
Encourage players to appreciate the intrinsic rewards of performing well such as self-satisfaction, enjoyment and sense of achievement