EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
in Rugby drills
New skills Full tackle (completing the tackle) 1 v 1 ruck 2 v 1 and 2 v 2 mauls (RFU rules) Tackle jackle (stealing the ball from the tackled players before a ruck is formed) Body position into contact to avoid a maul Scrum profiles Core skills from U9s rugby Ball placement Short passing Passing... MORE
in Rugby drills
Develop your players’ ability to get into the best positions to support the ball carrier. They have to react to the speed of the ball carrier and his likely pass, so good communication is imperative. MORE
in Tips
Rucking is the main new skill for the players at under 10s and it will one v one. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Don’t be deceived – this handling exercise looks simple but will quickly turn to chaos! It will get players thinking, talking and organising as they need to problem-solve whilst retaining the accuracy of their skills MORE
in Rugby drills
The main new areas at under 9s are: Attack: Simple decision making, to help players develop a pass before contact. MORE
in Rugby drills
This is a defining season for players because they will start doing “contact” for the first time. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Being accurate with your ball receipt at kick-offs and drop-outs will consolidate your game. So help your players develop their catching, realignment and passing skills with this simple activity. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Practice plans, Rugby drills
This basic footwork session will benefit players in all positions as they attack defenders in close or wide situations. They will have to see where to run and change angle sharply and at pace to adjust. By Dan Cottrell CHALLENGES > Run hard at the first gap, then change direction when indicated. > Look up... MORE
in Ask Dan, Attack, Defence, Rugby coaching, Rugby drills
Q How can you improve players’ alignment to stop them getting too flat, so they attack with pace. Nick Howe, St Paul’s School, U13s A While you can drill alignment, it rarely transfers into matches. That’s because players don’t sense the context and therefore, when they reach the same situations in matches, they don’t... MORE
in Defence, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Use this simple defence activity to help defenders work in pairs, while giving one defender more responsibility than the other. MORE
Like other disciplines, rugby has a jargon of its own. Unless the meanings are explained they can be meaning-less. That's why I've explained them in plain, simple English and with large, clear illustrations in my manual Rugby Tactics Made Simple. But not only that, you'll learn how to coach the tactics with my tips. If you’re new to coaching or prefer a more simple style this is a great, straightforward introduction to rugby tactics. "It highlights the key fundamentals of all aspects of play & gives coaches a good understanding of terminology and techniques at the highest level" - Richard Whiffin, assistant coach at London Irish MORE
Anxious about coaching rugby to children? Maybe you're already coaching, but sometimes struggling to get your points across at training? Perhaps you sometimes simply run out of preparation time? Possibly you're feeling your sessions are getting dull? Do you want a few new skills to boost your player's skills now? Or to help your players develop the techniques for seasons ahead? Maybe even the core skills for their whole rugby playing career? Here's the answer... MORE
Ready-made, age-appropriate, safe training activities, to provide a complete rugby coaching curriculum for players from ages 11 - 16. MORE
