Two clever ways to read the current rugby roadmap
With the exciting possibility of a return to rugby less than five weeks away, here are two ideas and a bunch of activities to get you and your coaches ready. MORE
Lockdown planning: Team games to rebuild understanding
When you return to rugby, there will be a long list of areas you need to do to rebuild your team's skill levels and understanding. Here are four games that can cover a range of outcomes, building in complexity, moving towards the full game. MORE
Lockdown planning: Better support for the ball carrier
In this planning for post-lockdown training, we are going to look at the supporting roles around the ball carrier. Specifically, the way that players are ready to take a pass to attack space or once the defensive line is broken. 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. Here’s a four-week plan for busting the line and supporting, but you can split this up into more sections if you want. MORE
Lockdown planning: Bust the line
In this planning for post-lockdown training, we are going to look at breaking the defensive line. Specifically, the best body shapes, lines of running, handling and support roles. MORE
Lockdown planning: Protecting against an overlap
If you are able to train, then you will be aiming to improve your players’ skills and tactical appreciation around specific areas of the game. If you are in lockdown, it’s a chance to hone your session planning in readiness for your return. MORE
Lockdown planning: Preventing quick ruck ball sessions
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
Lockdown planning: Quick ruck ball sessions
in Email Newsletters, Rucking & Mauling
If you are able to train, then you will be aiming to improve your players' skills and tactical appreciation around specific areas of the game. If you are in lockdown, it's a chance to hone your session planning in readiness for your return. MORE
Get ready for a safer rugby experience in 2021
Here’s a headline that’s not going to get your players back to training quickly: Tackling and Fitness Training. However, as we focus on safety and reducing the exposure to a concussion, all the most recent data suggests we need to have better-prepared players. In particular, the fitter the player, the stronger they are, and more... MORE
Return to play: Games, drills and fitness testing
in Email Newsletters, Return to play
You want your training to be purposeful. That means players feel they've gained something from the session. Here's a mix of handling, fitness and kicking games to help populate your training sessions for the return to play. It looks a lot like pre-season of course. You will see the fundamentals of skills, teamwork and movement, but little or no focus on tactics or contact. MORE
Practical scrum training and technical improvements
in Email Newsletters, Rugby drills
A strong, stable scrum provides an excellent platform for attacking play or effectively clearing your lines. Yet training this crucial area is never easy since you may not have all your scrum players available or access to a scrum machine. So, here are some practical solutions to build a stronger scrum. MORE
