*Sports* **2022**, *10*, 83

#### **Characterised as Enabling Raw Data Example Characterised as Disenabling Raw Data Example** Harder coaching approaches High challenge and accountability to high standards It was robust, often negative, tough love if you like, but I needed it. It was whenever I had a coach who was hard on me, but respected me as a person, that's what I always took the most from, seeing me as more than a player (R5) Lack of accountability or challenge from coach (1st team coach) came in as head coach and I got along really well with him. It was brilliant, my mate is the head coach kind of thing. I had (1st team coach) who was practically like my rugby Dad, he was looking after me, putting his arm around me. On a personal level it was immense, but my performance wasn't good, it was the time I stagnated the most probably because I felt so comfortable. (S6) Offering Role clarity (International coaches) I learned so much from them, they were really personal with it. They told me exactly what they saw from me, and what I needed to do to improve and it was a really good environment to learn. (S4) Ambiguity of role I came off a loan and I felt as though I started to make a bit of progression. Then I got told I was meant to play in the European games by (head coach). He told me before that I was going to get picked and then for whatever reason I didn't get picked for those games (R1) Robust two-way and actionable feedback I had a conversation with (coach) about selection. I asked why another player was being picked over me and (coach) said: 'he's more physical in the carry and it suits the game this week'. I'd say: 'I'll work on being more aggressive than the carry'. He said: 'No, you're not the same carrier as (player). Keep working on what you're good at. Your link play, your tips and playing out the back. You've got good feet you've got good handoff, use that to beat defenders, not just run straight through them like (player) does'. That kind of feedback is massive (S2) Non-actionable, or inauthentic feedback I like a coach that tells me what I'm doing well, what I'm not doing well and how I need to improve on it. Instead, at that time, all I was getting was coaches just trying to please me and build relationships. It was like 'oh yeah, you're doing really well' and then realistically I just wouldn't get any feedback. So I felt like that was a real point of stagnation. It made me angry at the time (S5) Building understanding through attention to detail Having the technical knowledge is absolutely massive. With (1st team coach), I had never seen a coach who could say: 'watch this clip from a game in 2010, it would be perfect for you' to help you. I was sitting at home one night and he messaged me at 10 pm, he asked if I was watching the European Cup game and said: 'someone just made a really good read, I thought you would want to see it' (laughter). He was so passionate and wanting to help you. The tiny details have helped so much. (S7) Lacking attention to detail No one had ever said: 'you're better off carrying the ball into hands, because then you can pass, kick and run. No one cared about that, which I think, you know, looking back, someone's job probably was to say 'try carrying in two hands'. It's such a fundamental part of the game to be successful, particularly in my position. You need that attention to detail and that accountability for developing. (R2) Softer coaching approaches Care and empathic accuracy I was developing because (school coach) was someone who has been really important to me. I still speak to him quite frequently, he's someone that cares about your wellbeing and cares about you as a person, but he was still pushing me, expecting better performance. (S4) Lack of care If coaches called you the wrong name, or your name was being missed off team sheets for training, you don't feel great. It's a big thing for you, but the coaches won't think too much about it. (R3) Coach openness to player input I asked (head coach) for a chat. We sat down and I said: 'I want you to just to have faith in me. Just trust me. I'm going to work as hard as I can. We found some common ground. Usually, players keep it all on their chest. It was just a very good open conversation, now I think he's one of the best coaches I've ever had. It just took time for us to find common ground. (S6) Coaches unavailable or unapproachable When the pressure is on, coaches turn to focus on winning every week. At that point, they become less available. I'd go 8 weeks without speaking to them. You'd end up waiting around for hours trying to chase people. It got to the point where there was no dialogue, it was just a loan sheet. It was no one's job to check on us. I remember them saying: 'own your own development'. They never saw it as their job to help you. (R4)
