It's somebody that probably played, so they understand how your body feels, what it's like to go through the season, gives you extra rest, and is generally your friend. It's somebody who goes easy on you, it's somebody that's been there and knows how it feels and knows how you feel. A players coach is known for giving his players more latitude, trusting them to police themselves. The idea behind this management style is to create an encouraging environment where players are free to be themselves and excel in the game.
The disciplinarian (non player coach) is considered an old-school style of boss. This authority figure takes no nonsense from anyone, makes his rules crystal clear and comes down hard when his rules are broken. The idea behind this management style is to operate the team like a well-oiled machine, where everyone plays their role and no excuses are made. Some disciplinarians take it a step further and believe that you have to rule with fear. This can include raising one’s voice and even taking away player privileges if certain goals aren’t met.