EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
in Footwork and evasion, Return to play
If a player has made an outside break, they have to either make it to the try line or go as far forward as possible. That means straightening up. This activity develops this skill. Work on adjusting the line of running once a line break has been made. It’s good for all players to work on. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Return to play
Work on the players improving their timing and realignment by forcing them to begin a phase of play from a static start. They have to adjust quickly and attack with pace. Though many exercises start from a static position, you want to emphasise the stationary position for this drill. This will activate the minds more so because the players will be thinking ahead. MORE
in Return to play, Rugby drills
The progression to Stage D is another step closer to a full rugby return. The RFU guidelines now state 15 minutes of controlled contact. The amount of contact is 1v1 tackle below waist height, an additional 1v1 contest in the ruck (2v2 in total) and uncontested lineouts (no maul, scrum or tackle in gameplay is permitted). With these constraints, this is my approach. MORE
in Attack, Return to play, Rugby drills
Develop how the support player tracks the ball carrier so he can be ready to take a pass or help the ball carrier should he be tackled. Reading the movements of the ball carrier means the support player can find themselves in the best positions to receive the next pass. MORE
in Attack, Return to play, Rugby drills
Help develop good passing and running line habits so players can execute 3 v 2s in all sorts of game scenarios. The session builds from technique through to skill activation. To hold defenders, attackers must run straight and pass hard. Simple techniques which need honing week-in, week-out. MORE
in Contact, Return to play, Rugby drills
In this session, we are going to combine the work we’ve done in the previous two sessions to check for understanding and finally build more of a live rucking situation. To do this we will use two elements from previous sessions to check for understanding (part three from sessions one and two) and to ensure safety is still paramount. MORE
in Return to play, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
This session reintroduces the ruck to players and follows a similar pattern in that we first check for the ability of players to ruck safely, remind players of relevant laws and reintroduce contact in a controlled manner. We are stripping this back to the very basics. MORE
in Email Newsletters, Return to play, Rugby drills, Warm Ups
It's exciting that in England at the very least, contact training is back. However, with only 15 minutes allowed for contact training, you won't be wanting to waste any precious time. So, why not get the players warmed up for contact, without contact! How does that work? MORE
in Return to play, Rugby drills, Tackling
Here is a 15-minute mini contact session based on reintroducing players to the contact area. What’s important in this early stage is to revisit the basics of contact. Not only as players’ techniques may have slipped during lockdown, but also in an effort to make everyone’s contact area safer and better. The session focuses on technique in a safe but competitive environment, enabling the players to have fun with first getting the contact positions right and then working on their tackling. MORE
in Contact, Email Newsletters, Return to play
Here are some activities to support your stage D ruck training. Using small groups (no more than four), they look at rebuilding ruck skills in a low impact environment and developing a game-related understanding at the same time. MORE
