EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
It’s worth coaching rugby kicking skills as early as possible, even if your young players are not allowed to kick during games yet. By the time kicking is introduced into the game, the youngsters will have a well-developed set of core skills and a basic tactical understanding of when to kick. Use the following rugby coaching tips and drills to help. And, of course, any catching drills are going to be worthwhile as they’ll soon be faced with some up and unders too!
in Kicking & Catching, Practice plans
Any player may be in a position where he is chasing a kick and he finds either the opposition player jumping for the ball or sliding on to the ground to gather it. Here is a session to work on the best options to tackle the player and avoid conceding penalties. MORE
in Attack, Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Work on your counter-attack policies for the back three. This activity covers two phases: first, players must find space from the return, then they need to play away from a quick ruck to exploit an overlap. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Practice plans
A clean catch from the kick off can be a defining moment in the game. Whether it’s at the start of the half or after a score, it can have a massive psychological effect on the team. Your catchers, most likely the forwards, need to practise receiving a kick off under pressure and in the air. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
The cross-kick in the red zone has become an essential try-scoring weapon. Practise this routine to exploit an overlap, punish a narrow defence or capitalise on an advantage in height or jump agility out wide. MORE
You can’t expect to strike a ball like Jonny Wilkinson or Johnny Sexton – but that shouldn’t stop you trying. Use these great tips from world-class kicking guru Dave Alred to raise your team’s percentages off the tee… MORE
Improve your kick-off retention stats by working on movement into position and catching skills. Use this activity as a springboard for more sophisticated techniques, which may include lifting. MORE
in Email Newsletters, Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Counter attack, which is the ability to attack after the opposition attack give up the ball, is one of the best opportunities to score. The opposition are at their most disorganised. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Being accurate with your ball receipt at kick-offs and drop-outs will consolidate your game. So help your players develop their catching, realignment and passing skills with this simple activity. MORE
in Defence, Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Putting the squeeze on a kicker clearing his lines can reap rewards. Here’s how to charge down kicks from the base of a ruck or scrum. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Practice plans
There will always be poor kicks for your team to return or chase. This session works on running and/or kicking the ball back with purpose as well as thinking about what the defence might do to counter this. MORE
Like other disciplines, rugby has a jargon of its own. Unless the meanings are explained they can be meaning-less. That's why I've explained them in plain, simple English and with large, clear illustrations in my manual Rugby Tactics Made Simple. But not only that, you'll learn how to coach the tactics with my tips. If you’re new to coaching or prefer a more simple style this is a great, straightforward introduction to rugby tactics. "It highlights the key fundamentals of all aspects of play & gives coaches a good understanding of terminology and techniques at the highest level" - Richard Whiffin, assistant coach at London Irish MORE
Anxious about coaching rugby to children? Maybe you're already coaching, but sometimes struggling to get your points across at training? Perhaps you sometimes simply run out of preparation time? Possibly you're feeling your sessions are getting dull? Do you want a few new skills to boost your player's skills now? Or to help your players develop the techniques for seasons ahead? Maybe even the core skills for their whole rugby playing career? Here's the answer... MORE
Ready-made, age-appropriate, safe training activities, to provide a complete rugby coaching curriculum for players from ages 11 - 16. MORE
