I agree about using the teachable moments with the players on the bench--valuable time with them indeed, especially since they want to be the ones on the field doing it well. They often have some very good observations about what's going on and can see a lot from that perspective.
Unlimited substitutions are also a great way to pull players aside one or a few at a time and make adjustments--great for a developing team.
Also note--Reyna doesn't say coaches don't give instructions while the players are on the field. He says that coaches aren't constantly giving "joystick" instructions--if they have to make corrections, they do it and then let the players get back to playing the game. I don't think he is suggesting that if things are going badly in the game, the coach isn't supposed to make any corrections because it is "their time." There are ways to make the connections on the field without putting undue pressure--and this can sometimes be reassuring rather than intimidating--depends on HOW you address things, and, again, the ability to interpret when, if, and in what way it would be positive rather than negative.
As for sitting down no matter what, I remember a few years ago I was coaching a club match in Columbia; we were up 3-0, and the opposing coach was taking the approach of sitting down and not having any input into the game despite her team's struggle to hold the line.
Some of my players subbing off the field came over and very pointedly asked me, "Exactly what is she getting paid to do right now?"
If a coach really wants to know what players expect, resent, appreciate, or stress over, I'd say listen to the players--every player, every season, and don't assume all of them have the same ideas about what works and doesn't work for them.
