EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
08/23/2019 |
Here's a collection of our latest sessions, activities, drills, games and advice so you can make the difference this season. MORE
01/13/2019 | Tackling
Develop good footwork in the last few steps before the tackle. First, to power into a tackle situation, and then to adjust as the tackle target moves either to the left or the right. This activity uses low-impact outcomes with tackle tubes to focus on the technical aspects of the skill. MORE
01/5/2019 | Rugby coaching
Teach the basics of the game, with a game, playing walking rugby. Stop the game to highlight key areas and ask the players for solutions. MORE
05/4/2019 | Small-sided games
We know what a challenge getting youngsters to listen can be. So how do you get them motivated and having fun? It starts with the warm-up, when you need to set the tempo for your session… MORE
03/23/2019 | Rugby drills
Use this tag game to improve tagging ability. You could also change up the tag to grab or even full tackling for older, more experienced players. MORE
11/13/2018 | Email Newsletters
Need to inject some new ideas in training. Sometimes the old games have run their course. Well, for the time being anyway. Here are some fun games which are quick to set-up and, with few rules, give the players new challenges. Though they are primarily aimed at mini-tag, you can easily adapt them for older players. I think you find the energy generated quite uplifting. MORE
10/11/2019 | Attack
Use this activity to help your players get into better positions to pass and move the ball to space on bigger pitches. MORE
09/26/2019 | Rugby drills
Following on from unopposed defence at the breakdown, it’s important for players to practise it for real, learning who should tackle who and how to “fold”. This is a full-on defensive session. MORE
09/7/2019 | Rugby drills
Use these breakout exercises to focus on handling decision-making before returning the players to a game. Avoid stopping and starting – just let it run to allow the attackers to find solutions. MORE
10/21/2019 | Rugby drills
10/16/2019 | Rugby drills
10/15/2019 | Rucking & Mauling
10/14/2019 | Kicking & Catching
10/13/2019 | Kicking & Catching
10/12/2019 | Attack
10/22/2019 |
As phase play develops, your players will find they are sometimes too flat or too deep. This session addresses the problems faced in these situations so that pace can always be put on the ball. MORE
10/21/2019 |
If a player changes direction just before contact, he has a greater chance of breaking the tackle. Younger and less experienced players need to find out which methods of changing direction work best for them. “Footwork fireworks” develops the basics in realistic match-like situations. MORE
10/15/2019 |
Offloading the ball in contact will give your team the chance to make vital ground. A good offload allows the receiving player to run into the space behind the tackle. You can improve your players’ offloads by developing the ball carrier’s ability to twist their upper body in the tackle and so see the receiver more clearly. MORE
10/4/2019 | Warm Ups
Use this template to get your team mentally and physically fired-up and ready for their match. Pre-match warm-ups aim to activate the body and mind ready for the kick-off. But, you cannot cover your complete game-plan in the warm-up. MORE
08/6/2019 | Warm Ups
A physical, fun and warm-up, log rolls encourage teamwork and prepare players for contact. Split players into groups of at least six. Put five players in a row, on the ground, shoulder-to-shoulder. Put another player, on their back, across these players, lying across their middles. On your call, the group has to propel the... MORE
07/18/2019 | Rugby drills
One of the key influences you have on your team is in the hour or so before the match. Learn how to maximise that time to bring the best out of your players and get them flying from the first whistle. MORE
10/20/2019 | Tactics
Sometimes you are going to find your scrum and lineout under pressure. Have your tactics in place to ensure you retain the best possible possession and still be able to go forward in attack. MORE
10/18/2019 | Girls/Womens
Rachel Taylor discusses coaching culture is not what it seems, that coaching women needs a different approach and how to be a more authentic coach. MORE
10/17/2019 | Rugby coaching
Everyone makes mistakes or needs to change, even you. How you deal with them is a measure of how your team and coaches progress positively. Use these simple methods to move on quickly. MORE
10/17/2019 | Blog
From our Rugby Coach Weekly archive of Touchline Tales, commenting on a game in an U15 Cup tournament. Last weekend we lost 20-22 in a cup game. The opposition scored at the end from a disputed lineout on our line and we felt our jumper was impeded. MORE
09/12/2019
Whether you are refereeing in training (a good thing!) or have to referee your team on a Sunday (not such a good thing!), you will probably find yourself refereeing in some capacity this season. You will need to be confident that you can apply the laws as a coach to satisfy referees who take charge of your team. And if you do find yourself reffing, then it's far more than that...game management, crowd control, position, language, whistle control and signals. MORE
08/22/2019
Because there are so many possible situations at rucks, teaching these skills is a real challenge for coaches. You need to create a balance of good techniques first and then bring them into game contexts as soon as possible. MORE
08/20/2019
The more players learn, the more they improve. Learning is about retaining relevant knowledge and then using it in the right context. Our expectation is that our training sessions will do this. We are probably not that scientific in our approach, though the main thrust of what we do tends to lead to improvements. Let’s tighten this up with some training ideas and solutions to give our players more opportunities to learn 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.”
Phil Hopkins, Perigueux, France
72 of the Game's Tactical Concepts in Simple, Plain Language MORE
With so much to cover when coaching young players, it can be a daunting task to know the basics... now there's help MORE
