EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Make a negative into a positive. For example, “I need to see everyone’s eyes on me” is better than “Some of us aren’t paying attention”.
Immediately we are focusing on doing something well. We are avoiding “not”, “don’t” and “stop”. Instead, we are firmly stating where we want to go.
That’s why I’m thinking forward to 2021. Framing it positively, I’m looking to do more good actions. I’m not going to look back on went wrong or why it went wrong. I am not going to say: “Stop doing that”.
Hence, I have made myself four positive statements for 2021.
Each one of these needs an action or actions.
Here are some examples of actions I will take for each statement:
Language: use phrases that are clearly understood by the group I’m working with.
Knowing the group: catch up with individuals during “downtime”.
Go that bit further: I could say, “don’t look at my phone after doing some work”, but it is a positive frame. So it is, can I make this shine a bit more. For this post I am writing now, I will read it back a fourth time if I had read it three times.
On the training field: take a breath, close my eyes and smile as I open them.
Happy new year to everyone.
Here are our most view new posts of 2020:
Return to play: Social distancing session part one
Training at home: Sparta videos and much more
in Rugby coaching, Rugby drills
In the third part of a session, after a warm-up game and then a skill drill, introduce a skill game. The game is still focused on the objective. It gives the players a chance to explore the skill in the context of the game and see why it is relevant. MORE
in Email Newsletters, Lesson Plans, Rugby drills
In Lockdown planning: Quick ruck ball sessions, we focused on applying pressure on the defence. Now, let's plan for the other side of the ball. France's defence coach, Shaun Edwards says that it is his main metric for success: slowing down ruck possession. To enhance learning, you are better off focusing on an “arc” of learning for a specific area. This means spreading out the training over a number of weeks, rather than dedicating one session to this. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Here's my analysis of four different scrum half passes. Each one has their own style and is effective in its own way. Use these clips to inform your own coaching and share with your 9s to help them find improvements in their passing. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills
Get players to attack defenders in close or wide situations. They will have to see where to run and change angle sharply at pace to adjust. Players need the confidence to change angles, especially those players who are not used to sprinting and conditioning. MORE
in Rugby drills
Develop the skills to cover an attack which might be outflanking your defence. This activity works on the choices to come forward or track back. If your team is in danger of being outflanked in attack, what do they do? In many cases, teams sacrifice territory by scrambling backwards across the field allowing them to... MORE
in Defence, Rugby drills
One of the most difficult things to teach a group of players is their ability to change from a defensive mindset to an attacking one effectively. Here is an activity that does just that. Make the players think that they need to defend as an organised unit and then be able to attack at pace when the ball is turned over. It’s not going to be easy. MORE
