EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
When you return to rugby, there will be a long list of areas you need to do to rebuild your team’s skill levels and understanding.
Here are four games that can cover a range of outcomes, building in complexity, moving towards the full game.
Warm up with Passing Skeet. This is an ideal starting game, because the players can play this as they arrive. There’s not much to set up and you can use any type of ball.
Then move over to Tom Brocklebank’s Dens. It involves lots of movement and chaos. Because of this, it’s a safe space to make mistakes and reconnect as a group.
The next two games are closer to the real game. You might introduce these in week one, albeit briefly before expanding in the next few weeks.
Find the bib comes from former Leicester academy coach, Antony Allen. Players are challenged to exploit defensive weaknesses and requires a bit more tactical brainpower.
Finally, the Giant ladder game is more expansive still. With plenty of adaptions, Elliot Blackmore’s activity helps you focus on different attacking outcomes.
While our priority will be re-engaging players with games, we will still need to mix in "skill zones". This is another name for a more intense focus on a particular skill or technique. Have a bank of skill zones ready to drop into your sessions. Here let's focus on passing. MORE
With the exciting possibility of a return to rugby less than five weeks away, here are two ideas and a bunch of activities to get you and your coaches ready. MORE
In this planning for post-lockdown training, we are going to look at the supporting roles around the ball carrier. Specifically, the way that players are ready to take a pass to attack space or once the defensive line is broken. To enhance learning, you are better off focusing on an “arc” of learning for a specific area. This means spreading out the training over a number of weeks, rather than dedicating one session to this. Here’s a four-week plan for busting the line and supporting, but you can split this up into more sections if you want. MORE
In this planning for post-lockdown training, we are going to look at breaking the defensive line. Specifically, the best body shapes, lines of running, handling and support roles. MORE
If you are able to train, then you will be aiming to improve your players’ skills and tactical appreciation around specific areas of the game. If you are in lockdown, it’s a chance to hone your session planning in readiness for your return. MORE
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In Lockdown planning: Quick ruck ball sessions, we focused on applying pressure on the defence. Now, let's plan for the other side of the ball. France's defence coach, Shaun Edwards says that it is his main metric for success: slowing down ruck possession. To enhance learning, you are better off focusing on an “arc” of learning for a specific area. This means spreading out the training over a number of weeks, rather than dedicating one session to this. MORE
