Inevitably at some stage during a player’s career, he or she will be faced with a promotion/relegation system with regard to their position, commonly known as being “dropped”. They may be dropped from the starting side to the bench, or the playing 23 to the second squad if one exists. This usually relates to on-field and/or off-field behaviour and performance. How a Rugby Coach handles this situation will likely influence the player’s decision and outcome. In order to increase engagement and keenness to improve as a player, we as a collective rugby coach must handle this process accordingly. Here’s a five step guideline on how to drop a player with the intention of having him or her actively demonstrate improvement to return to that starting side.
1. Approach at the start of training
Having moved on from the weekend’s match to the first training of the new week’s preparation, usually on a Monday or Tuesday, ask to speak to the player in question privately and away from prying eyes. Automatically, this triggers a response in the player’s mind with inquisition and a sense of anticipation. Now depending on how they feel they performed over the weekend, at previous trainings or the season in general in terms of discipline and/or performance, this could go either way. It is important to be as transparent as possible; be honest and don’t beat around the bush. You’ll find that by taking the player aside before the scheduled training will make them more receptive to the conversation and will therefore have more to prove throughout the session.
2. Have a conversation
Try not to talk at the player with a list of reasons why they are being dropped, this doesn’t achieve anything but resentment. A player may feel you are rattling off reasons why you don’t want them in your team. Have a conversation; ask open-ended questions where the player in question can voice their opinion, raise queries and receive feedback. This could revolve around his/her thoughts on attendance at training, commitment to the team, punctuality at games, attendance at post-match functions, engagement at trainings and performance on and off the field. You’ll find with this approach, both parties can be very honest.
3. Be specific
Having initiated a conversation with the player in question, be specific with exactly why they are being dropped, for how long and where they are being dropped to. By explaining the above in detail, the player in question gets a picture painted for them, one that clearly describes why this conversation is taking place. Now is not the time to shy away from the truth, be brutal, but be compassionate. The more truthful you are with the player, the more he or she will respect your decision, especially when you lead into steps four and five.
and achievable goals. These may revolve around the above examples, some self improvement
able to control the process much easier, will achieve a better outcome and will increase the