The progression to Stage D is another step closer to a full rugby return. The RFU guidelines now state 15 minutes of controlled contact. The amount of contact is 1v1 tackle below waist height, an additional 1v1 contest in the ruck (2v2 in total) and uncontested lineouts (no maul, scrum or tackle in gameplay is permitted). With these constraints, this is my approach. MORE
In this session, we are going to combine the work we’ve done in the previous two sessions to check for understanding and finally build more of a live rucking situation. To do this we will use two elements from previous sessions to check for understanding (part three from sessions one and two) and to ensure safety is still paramount. MORE
This session reintroduces players to the tackle, checking that players remember the basics of tackling safely and working on getting clear of the tackle area quickly once the tackle is completed. MORE
Get your ball carriers used to running forward to score tries. This session can be run as a warm-up or as a proper tackling session as well. Often players fail to run forwards even when they know the try line is that way. This session should encourage them to attack a space in front them and go for it. MORE
Your side will have its fair share of stars, good players and not-so-good. Keep all the players involved and happy, and make each one feel they are a world-beater. MORE
Improve your players’ understanding of their roles to make sure you can retrieve kicks and attack space when in possession. Play with your Terms and Conditions, not the kicking teams’. When a team kicks into space, the defending team needs to communicate and fan out so it can run back at spaces. MORE
Rugby is missing real competition. Whilst we can see how competition can sometimes hinder development, especially when coaches only prioritise work in sessions to achieve this goal, it must be said that without it lurking in the background, sessions feel a bit detached. MORE
Use these questions to support planning and reflection in your players as they are playing Ready 4 Rugby matches/training. Below each question, I add some of the possible answers and follow up questions. Of course, the players may come up with even better thoughts. THE QUESTIONS How does transition give us an opportunity to create pressure and score or win the ball back? What are the key elements of transition which would allow us to achieve this successfully? What are our goals whilst transitioning from attack to defence or from defence to attack? MORE
This session works on players scoring tries in the corner by diving for the line. It is not just for wingers, since forwards can find themselves in a similar position, for example if the ball comes from a blindside move following a breakdown. Think about how your players dive for the line, and what works best for them. MORE
A try from a passing movement requires your players to make the best decisions given the state of the defence in front of them. This session helps the attack to force the defence out of position and so make these decisions easier. MORE
Most players in the team will have to catch a high ball at some stage, whether from a kick and chase, kick off or drop out restart. And if they are not involved in catching, they alternatively will have to support the catcher. Though primarily aimed at the back three, this session has benefits for all players. MORE
Evasion is a fundamental movement skill. Players use in pretty much all their activities, without necessarily focusing on the specific skills they need. Without becoming too bogged down in the technical requirements, you want to improve your players starting and stopping, balance, change of direction and acceleration. With that comes an awareness of space, time, teammates, the opposition and the ball. MORE
It's exciting that in England at the very least, contact training is back. However, with only 15 minutes allowed for contact training, you won't be wanting to waste any precious time. So, why not get the players warmed up for contact, without contact! How does that work? MORE
ost Phil Llewellyn with guests review some of the many great podcasts, books, articles and webinars from the last week. This week's guests: Peter Walton, Gloucester Rugby Academy Manager, Magic Academy founders' Russell Earnshaw and John Fletcher. The team pick out the key takeaways from each piece of great content and say how to use it on the pitch, at all the levels of the game. This week's content: Winners Take Control – Robin Van Persie Champion Minded – Vicky Williamson Praise and Affirmation. A deep dive - Professor Stephen Rolnick The High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes - Jonny Wilkinson MORE
Liza Bird Burgess and LJ Lewis discuss a round of questions about the practicalities of the game. In this episode, they are with Tania Rosser. Tania won more than 50 caps for Ireland, is a level 4 coach, plus played international netball and touch rugby. New Zealand born, she featured in three world cups for Ireland. She currently coaches the Clontarf J1 men's team, while working as a primary school teacher. MORE
Host Phil Llewellyn with guests review some of the many great podcasts, books, articles and webinars from the last week. This week's guests: Marianne Davies, senior coach developer at UK Coaching, Jenny Coady, coach developer at UK Coaching, , Dr Anna Stodter, Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching and PE at Anglia Ruskin University. The team pick out the key takeaways from each piece of great content and say how to use it on the pitch, at all the levels of the game. This week's content: Talking to Strangers – Malcolm Gladwell The Learning Journeys Podcast – Lesley McKenna The Magic Academy – Rob Townsend MORE
Here is part two of some of my key takeaways from recent webinars and podcasts. These are the main points that stood out to me, for whatever reason. So, it doesn’t mean it is all necessarily new, but it’s content that I wanted to ensure I revisit and think about beyond the webinar or podcast itself. I have a commitment to keep the notes nearby and give elements a go in practice as soon as possible. The sooner I can try it out and get some feedback from the process then hopefully that helps me to improve. My suggestion is that if you find one of my notes useful, don't just nod approval. Write it down and be prepared to use soon. MORE
I've just watched a brilliant, energetic colts sessions. The players loved their own company and the coaches acted as their safety net. They made sure they had the right breaks and sanitised. Of course, everyone wants to be back playing matches, but this is the next best thing. Here are some ideas to give your training sessions some different ideas so there is variety, learning and a sense of purpose. It is particularly important to retain that direction because it helps bind the players and coaches together. It doesn't have to be too formal. However, motivation comes from learning so some sense of progression is important. MORE
Players respond well to routines at training. It gives them a safe environment where they feel comfortable to express themselves. That's one of many reasons to plan your session. That doesn't mean you don't have some flexibility and are prepared to adjust. But do that from a plan. Here's a potential plan which gives you and your players a good mix of the familiar and the new. You can stretch them in an activity they've done before, adding wrinkles as the players progress. You can introduce different techniques, tactics and skills in that part of the session or a new one. MORE
Here are some activities to support your stage D ruck training. Using small groups (no more than four), they look at rebuilding ruck skills in a low impact environment and developing a game-related understanding at the same time. MORE
“The boys have really enjoyed the drills from Rugby Coach Weekly. It's been great having them at my fingertips and every training session this season we tried new things, which I believe helped keep the boys interested and enthusiastic.”
