EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Covering core and advanced skills, each Practice Plan provides the blueprint for an entire session for you to run with your team. A quick read through and you've got a ready-made session to take on to the pitch. Perfect for when you're running late and don't have time to hunt around for new ideas.
Practice Plans can be adapted by the coach to suit any age group from age 7 to 16, and are appropriate for adult teams. As a Rugby Coach Weekly subscriber you can access all 200 Practice Plans on the website covering the entire range of skills and tactics, in a format you can easily print and take to training.
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
The “slide pass” has been used to good effect recently by a number of international teams. It is a flat pass to a player who is drifting outside his defender. Introducing the move also lets your team practise some good basic passing and running skills. MORE
Defending is not just about stopping the opposition from scoring, it is about trying to regain possession. To achieve that you need a defence that moves forward as a unit and puts the opposition under pressure. “Up together” gives you the tools to develop your defensive organisation so all your players understand their roles in it. MORE
Even the top teams recognise that they don’t practise side on tackling enough. In this session you can also challenge the players to think of their finishing position first and then work backwards to see why the side on tackle is so effective in winning turnover ball. MORE
in Attack, Contact, Practice plans
Winning turnover ball is the goal for the defence, but the ability to attack decisively from it is the ultimate objective. So players need to be aware of how to attack with turnover ball, as well as how to win it. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Practice plans, Tackling
“Same shoulder, same foot” is one method of making a powerful tackle, because it maximises the power through the body and into the tackle. It requires good technique and good timing, both of which this session works on. MORE
in Contact, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Offloading out of contact is “risk and reward” rugby. It maintains continuity and might get your attack behind the defence. Offloading the ball out of the tackle while still on your feet is often the quickest option, but the offload off the ground can be just as effective. The support runner can then attack the space where the tackler was. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Against an organised defence the chances to break the line with a pass are reduced. However, by drifting out and then passing back in the ball carrier can create an opportunity, because defenders often become lazy and don’t cover the inside pass. The skill comes from the receiver “tracking” inside the passer, following his drift. MORE
in Practice plans, Scrums & Lineouts
“Core on” will teach players the significance of their core strength and how they can utilise it effectively in the scrum. The exercises replicate some of the movements that will happen in the scrum, so players get used to moving around as they scrummage. MORE
The tackler can play an important role in winning turnover ball, but only if he can get to his feet quickly after making the tackle. This sessions uses simple exercises to improve the reaction times of your tacklers. It will help them to get up and get back into the game, to “complete the tackle” and compete for the ball. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
The kick pass is becoming more prevalent at the top level and there is no reason why your players cannot use the same tactic. There are risks, but the possible rewards are great because the ball literally flies out to wing. 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
