What’s the benefit of a whole-part-whole approach in training sessions for my team?

Any training session should be both enjoyable for the players and give them plenty of opportunities to learn. The most obvious way to do the first is to play games, and with the whole-part-whole approach, the second is possible too.

Whole-part-whole means a game, concentrating on part of that game, and then back into a game. It doesn’t necessarily mean the whole game of rugby, so we could start with a conditioned game before breaking off into a drill. 

Pros and cons of games

The advantages of games in training:

• Players want to play games.
• It allows them to assess their own progress and identify their weaknesses.
• Puts skills into pressure situations.
• Games after a skill has been introduced allow the skill to be explored in a variety of different situations.

The disadvantages are that you may not be able to cover as many skills and that some players might not participate as much. At lower levels, games might be dominated by the most skilful or confident players.

However, if you play small-sided games, the less able or less confident players will have to step up. And, in the context of any game, even if you are concentrating on handling, other skills like footwork and defence will be part of what they learn.

Less “coaching”

Keeping quiet is a crucial skill you need to develop during the first part of the session. As a new coach, you might well find yourself wanting to correct every mistake. But this will disrupt the flow of the game and there’ll be too many messages to the players.

“Let them play” is my main message to coaches during the game. Throw in points of praise, or tactical comments but very little on the technical side. For instance, I might shout “good running line” with a name and a reason for that comment. Only after the game has been going for a while do I stop them to ask them questions.