This week’s Touchline Tale comes from Chris Sweetapple, who coaches the Saracens U15 Infidels team.
Chris (left) lets his team decide on tactics
Last game played and it’s “see you next season” time. As usual, I am ready for break from the game, but that feeling will last maybe 10 days, then I miss it! But that’s why the break is important, rest and refresh.
We had an excellent season, scoring 94 tries and going unbeaten in league games to win our Division. Those are the headlines, but we achieved much more. The boys grew as young men, as well as players.
Around half-term, we narrowly lost a game that I felt we should have won. I am a development coach and this was a friendly, so why does it matter? In reality, the opposition were good and we allowed them to get a lead and sadly we didn’t fight back to try to turn things around. I didn’t rant or tell the boys off as the wife will confirm, but I was disappointed.
From that point on we worked on the mental side of what to do when things go against you, for example: the opposition get lucky, bad weather, poor referee or injuries. Then, we focused on ways to deal with this: teamwork, help each other, get the basics right, play with virtual headbands (that is, heads up).
Early March we had a friendly away. We were short, county calls in the A’s, plus injuries and illness meant we had a bare 15 with several playing out of position. In the warm up, we tried two different scrum formations, just in case we had to change things.
For 60% of the game we worked hard but things just didn’t happen, the opposition got ahead and were growing in confidence. We needed to do something. I was just thinking about switching the scrum around, when we had a scrum was awarded, and I saw the boys change to the other scrum formation themselves! We won the scrum and a centre took off with a clever run. A couple of quick rucks and we scored. We ran out strong winners, but more importantly the team was thinking for itself and starting to work out how to get the job done.
Fast forward to mid-April and our last league game, away. The opponents were unbeaten too, so a classic set up - winner takes all. In the first 15 minutes they attacked, winning all the loose ball and we were defending for our lives, but the teamwork was there. I was quietly confident.
We got a foothold in the game and got into their half. We had the ball and scored three good tries and went in 21-0 up at half time. The second half was fantastic rugby with both teams really going for it. We came out 21-7 winners and the division was ours.
So much of this is down to the players taking control and the coaches stepping back. I’m looking forward to next season already.