Being a coach is all about making decisions, both before and during matches – strategies, team-picking, substitution – there is a lot to consider. So how can you make sure you are making the best possible decisions for your team. Should you rely on gut instinct? Or make a more intellectual choice? Here are a few tips to get you making the right decisions for you and your team.

Research has shown that the top, professional rugby coaches tend to make intuitive decisions, reacting instinctively, rather than intellectually. Does this mean that you should instantly do the same? Not necessarily. These coaches have had a long career, with plenty of experience and time to build up their decision making skills.

They have a wealth of knowledge and past analysis that they can draw on in an instant. But like you, they had to start by reasoning things out. In order to develop these intuitive skills, you must first work hard at conscious decision making.

Malcolm Gladwell, the popular writer and thinker, has written a book entitled “Blink” that discusses the power of the subconscious in making decisions, for better or for worse. He concludes that the subconscious can make excellent decisions very quickly – but only when the decision maker has a wealth of experience in the area.

These decisions rely on “thin slicing” – that is, taking a very quick assessment of a situation and acting immediately. In doing so, an experienced individual can cut out a lot of the unimportant information that could confuse the issue.

It is a powerful technique, but one that is very much open to errors. Thus, when starting out, you should reason out every decision you make. Calmly and coldly assess the facts to see the situation as it is – your knowledge about the players, the opposition you are facing, etc. Then bring in your past experience, your own coaching philosophy and style before coming to a conclusion.

This kind of logical analysis takes longer than a snap judgment, but is the ideal way to train your mind in the channels of decision making.

It is important to analyse the decisions you make after their impact has been felt, and assess for yourself whether they were the right ones to make. If they were, pat yourself on the back, but also try and remember the decision making process so that you can replicate the success next time round.

If, however, you slipped up (as we all do) there is an even bigger need for analysis. Try and work out why you made the wrong decision – did you take the wrong factors into account? Did you look at too many pieces of information, and over complicate affairs? When you analyse where you went wrong, you will learn what is important to take into account and what not. You will also learn more about yourself and your players. As you progress as a coach, you will find that decisions come faster and faster to you, and will be more than likely be right!