There are many different styles for a rugby coach to adopt – indeed as many as there are coaches. But choosing the right one can be difficult – it is important that you tailor your own style to your players' needs, skills and age levels. Here are some thoughts on the broad categories of coaching, and when you might need to use each one.

Generally, coaching styles can be split into two – push, and pull. Every coach will employ a combination of both: the question lies in finding the right balance between the two to make sure your players are learning at the right pace.

At the extreme “push” end of the spectrum is a purely prescriptive coaching style, which involves directing the players in every aspect of the session. Push coaching can be thought of more as the traditional teaching style, where players learn solely from their coach.

At the other end of the scale is the far more open “pull” style of coaching, where the coach leaves much of the learning to the players themselves – for example, game style learning, where players are encouraged to adapt their own style to their situation. The coach is then able to discuss with the players afterwards, encouraging them to find their own answers to his questions.

Naturally, all coaching will involve a combination of the coach teaching and players learning for themselves. Deciding on your personal style involves working out what your players need from you.

For example a young and inexperienced team could benefit more from a prescriptive style of coaching, where the coach instructs them on exactly what to do to develop initial skills. Meanwhile, more elite players, who are already skilled in the basics, could benefit more from being given space to develop their own tactical awareness and game sense.

Once you have evaluated the needs of your players, there are many different ways to implement your coaching style. One model looks at four different ways of making coaching decisions –

1. prescribing,
2. participating 
3. consulting,
4. delegating.

First 'prescribing' is a fully “push” style coaching, where the coach simply tells the players how to do something.

In the second 'participating' there is a group discussion, after which the coach makes a decision, taking player opinions into consideration.

The third 'consulting' consists of a group discussion, after which the players, rather than the coach make the decision (though on his advice).

As you can see, these are four very different ways of making a strategic or tactical decision. Which one you choose must be based on the skill and maturity level of your players.

Of course your coaching style should not be a static thing. Once you have chosen an initial style, you can adapt and change it as your team progresses, keeping the most successful parts, abandoning those that don't work and improvising new ones. Thus you can allow your players to mature and develop their own style at the right pace.