Jim is the current Queensland Reds Attack coach and was instrumental in both the Queensland Reds Super Rugby championship season of 2011 in his first stint with the club and this year in 2021 in his second stint with the club. Jim has also been the attack coach for the Wallabies and Head Coach of many clubs in the UK and Japan. Like some of my other guests Jim stands out for his passion to learn and further his knowledge – he has a Masters of Education in Sports Coaching and has published two research papers in the International Sport Coaching Journal. Jim is excited about constraints based learning, dynamic systems and ecological dynamics and is a great believer in the use of analogies to deliver his messages. He talks about attack in team sport being like water- building up and eventually always finding a way through a weakness.

The key messages I got from this chat was:
- The importance of the coach to create an environment where athletes can learn. If the garden is not growing you may need more water, more sunlight or some fertiliser – in other words improve the environment.
- Design practice sessions that best represent the games. Have key principles, but outside of those, let players explore, discover cues, utilise cooperation and be creative.
- Do the work, be patient, keep learning and build as a coach.
- Have a release from coaching – find a hobby or an outlet so that the job doesn’t consume you and always staying connected with your family and the people you care about the most.

If you would like to learn more about Jim’s research you can look up his journal articles listed below:

McKay, Jim, Davids, Keith, Robertson, Sam, & Woods. Carl T.. (2021). An Ecological Insight Into the Design and Integration of Attacking Principles of Play in Professional Rugby Union: A Case Example. International Sport Coaching Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2020-0065.

Mckay, J., & O'Connor, D. (2018). Practicing Unstructured Play in Team Ball Sports: A Rugby Union Example. International Sport Coaching Journal, 5(3), 273-280. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2017-0095