Twelve claustrophobic months and counting: of lockdowns and limbo; precautions and protocols. Little wonder that coaches are straining at the leash to make their long-awaited return to activity. Understandable too if they are a little ring-rusty when they are finally reunited with their participants in person.
Don’t be fooled by the name. Rusty Earnshaw will not be one of them. Ring-rusty that is. But he most definitely is champing at the bit to get back to coaching face to face.
Rusty (‘Russell’ is reserved for legal documents and for when he is being scolded by his wife!) has been busier than ever during the Pandemic. He has made full and effective use of digital technologies to stay connected with his players and fellow coaches, and has even managed to sandwich in a spell of warm-weather elite coaching in Bermuda (he was Russell quite a lot in those three weeks: “My wife was fed up of me posting pictures of the beach every day, I think. I just wanted to remind her where I was!”).
As one half of The Magic Academy – which he founded with his other, other half John Fletcher – coaching courses through Rusty’s veins.
And he was only too keen to welcome UK Coaching into his magic circle and reveal to us some of the coaching tricks he will be using to ensure a seamless transition when organised outdoor activities resume.
First, though, a quick summary of how the last 12 months have impacted on Rusty personally and professionally.
Adept at adapting
It’s fair to say Rusty is a glass half full kind of person, and he has managed to remain chipper throughout this tumultuous time for the coaching industry.
“I’m quite chilled about it to be honest. Having to be adaptable is the reality of coaching, and it equips you with the right mindset to be prepared for anything.
From leaving university, I had 15 years without a permanent contract. I was 37 the first time I signed one. I’ve also been through redundancy two and a half years ago. I have got used to life as a coach.”
Rusty admits that at first, he figured he was going to get a three-month holiday: “I didn’t. Boris was wrong!
“Fletch and I have just had to adapt like everyone else has and we have been doing things differently, and in different worlds.
“I’m probably working more hours but doing less travel. I’m eating less in service stations and doing more exercise. I see my family more.
“And it has also led to lots of opportunities.”
Like the World Tens Series in Bermuda, which was held over three consecutive weekends straddling October and November – rich reward for a speculative message he sent on social media.
There was a similar outcome form an email to England rugby union coach Eddie Jones saying, “I think I can help”.
This type of proactive behaviour has enabled him to continue supporting coaches and players, from participation to performance level, without the need for face-to-face contact.
Rusty says he has had more one-to-ones with coaches in the last 12 months than ever before, with particular success stories being webinars – “we have been getting big numbers” – and WhatsApp groups.
“The WhatsApp groups have allowed those coaching in similar environments to come up with solutions to challenges together, while the feedback from coaches attending the Wednesday and Friday webinars has been that it is really useful to have that structure in their lives. Coaches are used to having that weekly routine and rhythm.”
All that said, when asked if he was excited about a return to face-to-face coaching sessions, his tone was reminiscent of the moment you slip into a hot bath after a particularly arduous training session: “Oh, I can’t wait,” he whispers softly.
At the end of the day, it’s why I coach. You get a huge buzz from helping people get better and supporting people to be more confident and competent. Coaching, as Bob Muir would call it, is a caring profession, and that releases lots of feel-good chemicals in your body.”
An emotional release
Rusty feels the same mix of excitement, tinged with fear, that every other coach is experiencing right now after such a long hiatus.
Excitement at the prospect of:
- Feeling the wind in your face and the thrill of the game.
- Seeing and reconnecting with people that share your passion.
- Escaping cabin fever and the nightly routine of binge-watching on demand TV dramas.
- Reclaiming your identity as a coach.
- Reigniting your altruistic flame and supporting people to develop as people and performers.
- Feeling the competitive juices flowing again.
Potentially, you may have nagging fears around:
- Your own fitness levels.
- The concern that you have become deskilled and forgotten everything you learned from your last coaching course.
- The fear of getting it wrong, in relation to the COVID rules and safety guidelines, or watching all those innovative ideas you have been busy dreaming up during lockdown fall flat in the first session back.
When sporting activities recommence, coaches will still need to give special consideration to social distancing, rethink the organisation of sessions and continue to adapt in response to ongoing changes in guidelines.
Here are Rusty’s top tips to help coaches manage their fears and channel their excitement appropriately, so they can look forward with confidence to the new chapter that beckons.
We’re all fed up of being told what we can’t do. It’s time to start focusing on what we can do.