Communication (makes faster, better decision makers)
Of all the skills that must be imparted the ability to communicate is one of the most important. Players must understand what has happened, what's happening and what's going to happen next and the only way for them to do this is to talk it up.
Players in certain positions are required to make decisions that direct team effort. Hookers identify the throw-in at lineouts, fly half backs identify backline plays at the set pieces, and scrum half backs direct the maul and inform when the ball should be released to him.
Unit members must keep decision makers (DMs) informed; DMs must transmit plans to both their own unit and to the rest of the team. The Captain and the DMs must regularly assess progress or lack of it, propose changes, decide on them and communicate the decision. The fear of speaking out of turn must be discouraged -- even the most junior member of the team may come up with the game-winning nugget of information. If a back knows he can beat his mark, he must speak up and ask for the opportunity to do so. If a forward knows a particular lineout play will succeed he too must speak up and be given a chance to prove his thought. If a fly half knows he can score a drop kick he must be given the chance to succeed. All of these decisions will happen as a result of good communication.
It is important for the forwards to know what channel our backline’s play being attacking. This knowledge will provide a faster more prepared pack support. Backline players need to know how the ball will be delivered from the scrum and lineout.
At the same time it must be stressed that talk on the field should be either informational or inspirational. The disparaging word is a great killer of positive momentum and must be avoided at all costs. Thus, if someone or some unit didn't perform in a specific phase of play complaining, doesn't help but a suggestion as to how to improve often does.
It is only the exceptionally thick player who doesn't know when he has screwed up and it is only the exceptionally thick or the exceptionally arrogant player who doesn't have remorse for his failure. What the vast majority of players need at times like these is to be reminded that they're still part of the team and still have an important part to play -- and here's how to do it...
The habit of communication begins on the practice field. Every drill and every exercise should be accompanied by players passing on what they're going to do, what their team-mates should do etc.
