Being a rugby coach means more than knowing how to execute a particular rugby skill, run a rugby drill, or set up a formation. The rugby coaching advice in this section highlights the important issues facing coaches and shows you how to approach them to become a better coach. These articles look at issues such as playing against sides that cheat, coping with problem players, getting a winning mentality and much more.
By Paul Tyler, Scottish Rugby Union level 3 qualified coach, former SRU rugby development officer and a qualified referee “Sealing” is when a support player attaches himself to the tackled player on the ground to prevent defenders competing for the ball. Sealing is illegal as not only does it prevent a fair contest for the […]
Even vital cup matches can sometimes be less stressful that having to plan and organise a practical session on a coaching course. Here is my survival guide – from someone who has been on both sides of the fence on many occasions. 1. Make two plans You are asked to make a formal plan. Follow […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Sometimes you have to be bold when coaching. Take a risk that can change something for the better. Nothing ventured, nothing gained – so try these ideas for size. 1. Let someone else take a coaching session Don’t employ a guest coach – use one of the players. Step back and let […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Kids are not the only ones with short attention spans – all players get bored if they are repeating the same thing. There are different training strategies you can use to ensure your players stay focused by keeping your sessions active, enjoyable and purposeful. 1. Balance games and training There are different […]
Start putting more pressure on your fly half (10) in training so he can perform better on match days. You can also work all the players who might fulfil this role. There are three main ways to create pressure: Reduce the time for the player to make decisions. Reduce the space for the player to […]
This is based on an article by Jon Woodward, a Sports Coach UK Coach Education Advisor: The Role of a Sporting Parent: Parents Just Don’t Understand… or do they? Whether you are coaching kids or adults, one of the key people in your players’ lives are their parents. Guide them into making the best environment […]
You may be one of the number of coaches starting with a new team next season. And you know that it will be a great boost if you can get a “W” from your first match. Any coach who faces his first competitive game in charge is bound to be feeling a little more pressure […]
Yes, you do… Tactics are good because you are teaching players to understand the game as a whole and not just the core skills. You will start to give them ideas on how to score more tries or reduce the number being scored against them. Tactics could include: Keep passes short and run straight. Move […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Sometimes it seems that some wicked person has given your players some “silly smarties” before training, here are four ways you can bring them back into line. Fun is fine. But if it gets out of hand, your session can easily go off the rails unless you implement our simple plan […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Always hit the spot by using the TARGET model to keep your players motivated and concentrating fully on the job in hand during training sessions. Task Keep activities varied and individually challenging. Break down the skills into their component parts, so players can think about the processes to achieve something. For […]
