As the new Rugby Coach Weekly website was launched, I found myself on the road coaching in London, Suffolk, Rugby, Abingdon and Somerset.
As always, I came away with something new, whether it was a wrinkle on a game or a different way of explaining a skill. You’ll see many of those new ideas being built upon in the next few weeks.
However, it was watching rather than coaching that revealed the most interesting challenge. I was at the Barker’s Butts mini rugby festival. It’s based right in the middle of England and was a well-organised day. There was lots to enjoy, certainly around the U11s area where I was involved.
I was there with an old college mate watching his son’s team, who were competitive, though not the best in their group. The whole experience made me think deeply about how we coach this age group and what can we do better.
Discussing some of the problems his team experienced, I was interested to hear my friend talk about ball security. A lot of the players struggled to look after the ball when they went into contact. That was unless they were strong and fast.
I observed the next game intently. Lots of the players carried the ball in two hands. That was good. Yet they tended to then lead with the ball into contact. It made it easy to rip the ball or be wrapped up.
There are three common solutions to this. The first is don’t run into the opposition. At least try to get to the edge of the defender. The second is to manage the contact. They can do this by either turning, putting the ball under one arm, or getting lower so the ball is more under the chest as the ball carrier leans forward.
The third solution is to pass the ball before contact, so it’s not even an issue. With the best will in the world, that last solution is tough for a 10 year old, especially as the ball is relatively big for their hands. Have you tried to pass and catch the equivalent of a size 6.5 ball?
However, we want to encourage all three solutions, depending on the situation. Our normal training solution is to work on each technique individually, putting it into various game scenarios.
But I think we need a game solution. My own would be to play 4 v 4 in small boxes. If the opposition can grab the ball and hold it for more than two seconds, it’s a turnover. They can grab the player and then the ball, or just the ball first.
Either way, the attackers have to think of ways to look after the ball. You can give them some clues along the way. For example, pass earlier!
What would your solution be?