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Raise Your Game: What makes a good coach?

Chris Finch: At a professional level a good coach will know how to handle people. At the level we're dealing with the players are fairly well advanced. If we can get them organised, keep them happy and manage the people, we'll be successful. If you're coaching kids it's more about giving them the technical skills they need. You need to teach them the basics of the game. Like anything else the fundamentals are really important. If you can teach the fundamentals you'll always have the chance to be a really good coach.

RYG: How important is discipline in sport?

CF: Discipline is extremely important but my personal definition is a little bit different to most. For me it's not about punishment or being really strict, it's about doing what needs to be done at the moment that it needs to be done. Whatever a situation demands of you, you have to be ready for it. To be successful you need to be ready to perform.

RYG: How do you bring a good team together?

CF: You have to start with good people. I've always believed that people win things - championships and games, more so than just players. Talent is always nice, but you always need that. In a team you need talent mixed with a willingness to work together as a team. Then you've got to create an atmosphere which is productive and enjoyable. Finally you have to be disciplined and pay attention to the details that are going to help you win.

RYG: To achieve success you need to commit yourself completely to the sport?

CF: The most astounding thing about my guys is the level of professionalism they bring to the team. When they're on international duty they're away from their family, their club and their professional environment for almost two months. It takes a lot for them to give that up for their country, but there's a lot on the line and they're really up for the challenge.

RYG: Are there skills that can be learnt in sport which you can use in other areas of life?

CF: If you play sports you learn lessons that are going to help you in all areas of life. You learn to prepare so that you're successful. You learn how to come back from failure and how to analyse your failures and successes in a way that helps you move forward as an individual or as a team. You learn how to deal with criticism and praise. Most importantly you learn how to share, work and sacrifice. Those are all invaluable skills whether you're in school, the office or in the military. That's what I love about sports, it's a microcosm of life but without the consequences.

RYG: What's more important - attitude or talent?

CF: Attitude is about five times more important than talent. You need talent to be successful but attitude sees you through the tough times, which are always going to be there.

RYG: What advice do you have for young people who want to take up this sport?

CF: My advice is the same for any sport. If you really want to be good at something, you've got to practise. You've got to find the time and you've got to be dedicated to it. The same goes for learning to play the piano or anything else. Basketball is a really fun, dynamic sport. There are lots of players out there who would really do well in the game. If you find something that you like then you need to apply yourself day in, day out.