EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
A question from a coach who works in senior rugby. On Sunday we were in control of the match (15 to 3) at the end of the first half. Unfortunately we lost 15-21. The main point according to what we have seen, was the lack of patience and skill in maintaining possession and instead a... MORE
Though you may have been on the courses, it’s not you who has to get up-to-speed. The framework provided to clubs includes such areas as concussion awareness indicators and “Graduated Return To Play” (GRTP)schemes, to help clubs deal with concussion in the most appropriate ways. However, despite these excellent resources and help, down at the... MORE
in Ask Dan, Attack, Defence, Rugby coaching, Rugby drills
Q How can you improve players’ alignment to stop them getting too flat, so they attack with pace. Nick Howe, St Paul’s School, U13s A While you can drill alignment, it rarely transfers into matches. That’s because players don’t sense the context and therefore, when they reach the same situations in matches, they don’t... MORE
in Ask Dan
End-of-season awards evenings can be fraught with difficulties. It can both motivate and demotivate key players and stakeholders and create unwanted divisions. MORE
in Ask Dan
A good coach arrives at training ready to deliver his or her session. Assuming there’s a co-coach or team manager who looks after the health and safety, what does that good coach look like from car-to-pitch? First, they should be corporate in their appearance. Club caps, beanies, rugby shirts or training tops are excellent ways... MORE
in Ask Dan
I coach an U13 team in Western Australia. I am trying to increase the urgency and physicality of my forwards at the breakdown. We run a variety of intense ruck drills at training on Tuesdays and Thursday which the lads enjoy. They seem to hit me and the other coaches hard when cleaning out but... MORE
in Ask Dan
The best source of new players is friends of current players. To make the most of this needs proper activation. Speak to each player and get a good idea of who they could ask. Have a checklist of who you’ve spoken to. Most of the conversations will be informal, but you will want to check... MORE
