It is almost impossible to understate the role a good rugby coach can have in transforming a team. Similarly, a bad or unskilled coach can ruin a team's morale and create a team of under-achievers. Just contrast the recent fates of the rugby union teams of Ireland and England, both of whom have relatively recently changed coaches.

Since Declan Kidney took over the Irish coaching, his team have gone on to win a Grand Slam of the Six Nations and remained undefeated for over a year. Meanwhile, England have languished and under-performed under Martin Johnson. Understanding just what you should be doing as a coach is vital to doing it right and getting the best from your team.

Naturally, as a coach, you are the instructor of the team. You provide the players with skills advice, training guidance and game plans for matches. This is the side of coaching that most readily springs to mind. However, it is not the whole picture by any means. Almost as important as the strategies you set for your players is the fact that you are a role model and inspiration to your players – or should be. You should be trying to instil values in your players beyond the ability to run 100m at near Olympic speeds! If you can make a team of players that embrace honesty, hard work and teamwork, they will perform better both on and off the pitch. Realising that you need to work on all aspects of your players is the first step – the next is creating an environment where this can happen.

One important element is to define your own coaching philosophy, which will list not only your reasons for coaching or your goals, but all the values you want to bring into your team along the way. This can be instilled in players by select praise and criticism, which can be done objectively by setting goals for every player and giving out progress information on each player in a public space. Similarly, discipline should be enforced strongly, particularly when someone seems to go against the values of your philosophy. This can also ensure equity between players, as long as everyone is equally subject to discipline. Enforcing discipline and rewarding values can make sure that your club stands out from the rest, one with its own philosophy, values and identity – this is key in player motivation and will give a strong sense of belonging and teamwork to the players.

Remember that you are the role model for the players, their route to success – if you are in charge, it must mean you are the way to win. As such, you should be the embodiment of the values you espouse, particularly in front of your players. By being positive and offering constructive and caring leadership, you will gain the respect of your players, vital in bringing about the trust needed in any team. Also, if you appear to always be trying to better yourself, you will encourage your players to do the same. Remember, don't just set the example, be the example.

As a coach, then, your role is so much more important than just teaching back moves etc., it is the development of each and every player and team morale by being the role model for the whole team.