EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
The very best players always seem to make that extra yard or metre in attack. On rare occasions, it's simply a case of a bigger player crashing through a smaller player. But even the largest players can put down by well-organised and technically efficient defences. MORE
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Make sure your players enter the breakdown legally – by getting tough through the tackle gate. This will also mean they’ll arrive square and in a better position to drive over the ball and win it. MORE
How you get your players to "talk" more in games and training is a constant challenge for coaches. Responding to a request for activities and advice from one of our readers, here's a selection of approaches. MORE
in Rugby drills
Develop the players' awareness of when to make a long pass to a supporting player running an angle to break the defensive line. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Develop your players' long passing accuracy. MORE
In this newsletter, we focus on the “how to coach” skills. That’s the way you coach, as much as what you coach. So, here’s 20 plus coaching thoughts to consider. Let’s start with advice on chocolate and other sugary delights. Having researched this carefully, I found I changed my mind on what I suggested to... MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
Evasive running is among the hardest things to teach because you have to be part rugby coach, part sprint coach and part SAQ expert. Use this activity to make real improvements in your players’ footwork. MORE
Improve your success rate at rucks. For example, the winning teams in the first weekend of the Six Nations won over 95% of their rucks. Then, once you have worked how to win the rucks, figure out how to play away from those rucks. To warm up, let’s start after the ruck. In the VIDEO: Develop... MORE
in Rugby drills, Tackling
Players may need to react quickly to decide who and how to tackle. Get them switched on with this drill, which teaches them to put their head in the right place when making tackles – on both sides. MORE
in Defence, Rugby drills
How to train your back three, that is two wingers and full back, to cover in the front line and back line. It uses the pendulum defence which swings so there are at least two players back to cover kicks. 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
