As a Coach you must reflect on your own performance - obtain feedback, and continually look to develop your coaching skills

Similar to the Player Performance Profile, a coach should list all the attributes that are evident with elite coaches and models of coaching behaviour and rate themselves out of 10. Ideally, the players should also have the opportunity to rate the coach and any discrepancies should be discussed. Methods of communication should be high on the agenda when reviewing coaching styles.

Coaches should seek a mentor to help the self-reflection process

A mentor to a coach helps clarify the role and guides the coach toward a clearer understanding of his or her work. With the help of a video the coach and mentor can perform an in-depth analysis of the presentation skills and body language during the coaching session.

A common flaw in a coach's delivery is the use of phrases such as 'um', 'you know', or 'do you understand?'

A dicta-phone recording can provide feedback of extraneous language. It may also be particularly useful when performing pre-match talks as the arousal level of the coach will alter the communication style.

Specific questions for use during self-reflection:

• Do my sessions start and finish on time?
• How often do I coach sessions 'off the cuff'?
• How do I gain the players' attention and does it work?
• Do I offer more praise than criticisms?
• Do players enjoy my sessions?