Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Training | Tags: leg drive, missing players, rucking, Rugby Training, rugby weather, scrum, Smart sessions, training plans
Last night at 6.55pm I was standing in the local park, in the lashing rain, waiting to take a session with the senior team I help out with.
The misery was not complete though. The local council had shut off the electricity, so no lights, or hot water (who needs to wash if you are a real man). And of course, the steady stream of excuses for not training was pounding down the cell phones nearly as fast as the rain.
Then the sun appeared, the 20 players who had showed started up some touch rugby and we were away. There was no chance to do anything as a possible unit for the first league game at the weekend, because there were too many players missing. But those who had braved the weather were keen.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Training | Tags: press ups, RFU, rugby motivation, Rugby Training
1,2,3,4…no, proper ones
A familar call on the rugby training ground. A misdeamour of minor proportions, perhaps a dropped ball or a missed tackle. The result, press ups (or round the posts and back).
Don’t think for one moment I am going to say that mistakes should not be highlighted, pointed out or even commented on harshly. It is how they are then dealt with which causes an interesting debate.
“Punishment” is not a good word to use - I found this out very early on in the Rugby Coach Newsletter issues when the RFU quickly slapped my wrists for using the word (and the “punishment” mentioned).
In which case, you need a way to ENCOURAGE the players not to make the same mistake twice.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training | Tags: fast hands, rugby catching, Rugby Drills, rugby handling, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training
This week I was asked to come up with some fast hands rugby drills. As some of you know, I am not a great fan of the term “drill”, but it matters little in the end because it is what the players learn in training that counts.
Why fast hands
“Fast hands” means quick transference of the ball from one player to the next to the next. In other words, at least one quick pass in a series of two or more passes. Relating this to the game, it is unlikely that we need ”fast hands” for more than three passes.
Game related reasons
“Fast hands” are meaningless unless there is a good reason to pass the ball in the first place. The reason in this case is that the receiver and giver is under pressure in front of him and there is someone better placed to take the ball forward. Two sets of “fast hands” means that two players are under this pressure and so on.
Ultimately, my drill/exercise needs to get to the high pressure stage.
Constructing a drill
In a quick audit of the stuff I have published I find I have over 300 “sessions” to choose from (not all handling of course), plus another 40 odd in the pipeline till Christmas. But why not use a fresh idea.
Here are the three things I think about when constructing a rugby drill
1. Paint a picture of the game and can I isolate the technique?
2. What is the fewest number of players I need?
3. Where can I add value?
Point 3 is the crucial one. For fast hands, my answer was “its in the catching”.
Look out for my “drills” coming up soon.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Team Management, Rugby Training | Tags: Rugby Coaching, Rugby Training, rugby tips, being a film star
I have just spent the last three days filming a DVD on rugby coaching. It was hard work but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I am certainly no film star, I had no personal caravan or seat with my name on the back. But the experience taught me that we, as coaches, have got some similarities to film stars (and one or two complete differences).
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, coaches in action pictures | Tags: Rugby Coaching, Rugby Training, tabard rfc, all weather training
Rugby training in the snow, originally uploaded by bowbrick.
Rugby coaching goes on, no matter what the weather.
Filed under: coaches in action pictures | Tags: pictures of coaching, rugby coaches, Rugby Training, world rugby
play role!, originally uploaded by reportergimmi™.
The first in series of photos of rugby coaches in action from around the world.
It is not just about the national and professional coaches, but those of us who have to train in all circumstances, weathers, pitches and players!
Filed under: Better Rugby Blog Guests, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Fitness, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training | Tags: judo, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Fitness, Rugby Training, rugby training technqiues
Craig McKay, a Rugby Coach subscriber from Grimsby, UK, says that certain professionals in rugby are telling us that judo is a necessary part of development training for young players, even Premiership players. He wants to know why.
Something is bothering me.
My son trains with the local professional club’s development squad and so I get hear about some of the current thinking in rugby. And one of those ideas which keeps coming up is using judo training to enhance the ability of players in contact.
I want to know more. It sounds like a good thought, but I need some more convincing.
Here are my five must know questions… (more…)
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Skills, Rugby Team Management | Tags: Better Rugby Coaching, Rugby Training, rugby coach, rugby place kicker, Youtube, Rugby Goal Kicking
An enterprising rugby place kicker has posted a video of himself on Youtube wanting some advice on how to improve his rugby goal kicking.
He has used two static positions to place the camera, plus some slow motion footage. It is a refreshing approach, and one used by rugby skills coaches to help isolate technical faults.
Coaching rugby goal kicking is a tricky business because there is more than one way to strike a good kick. Also a good rugby goal kicker in matches requires mental strength.
But in this video, what can we offer in terms of rugby coaching expertise?
Here is a checklist to start with:
Is there a good rhythm? Does the kicker look comfortable when he strikes the ball?
Does the foot follow through to the target or cut across the rugby ball?
Does the landing foot allow the kicker to strike the ball on the up stroke of the swing of the leg?
You are the rugby coach…what do you think?
And remember – we don’t to give the goal kicker too many thoughts. One or two is enough for this rugby session.
Dan Cottrell, Better Rugby Coaching Editor
Filed under: Rugby Coaching, Rugby Fitness, Rugby News, Rugby Refereeing, Rugby Skills, Rugby Team Management, Rugby Training, Toby Curthoys | Tags: Better Rugby Coaching, Rugby, Rugby Information, Rugby Newsletter, Rugby Playing Styles, Rugby Skills, Rugby Talent Spotting, Rugby Training
Welcome Coach,
My name is Toby Curthoys. I’m going to be posting my thoughts and views on a wide range of rugby coaching topics in the months ahead. I’ll kick-off by telling you a bit about myself and why we have created this blog.
I am the publisher of Dan Cottrell’s Better Rugby Coaching publications and training aids. Whilst Dan makes sure the quality of everything we do is second to none, my job is to develop our range of products to reflect the needs of rugby coaches worldwide.
Unlike Dan who played to a very high standard, I have no talent for rugby. But I do have a huge passion for the game.
In my opinion there’s room for all styles of play across the vast “rugby spectrum”. I love to see fast open play, with nimble side steps by the hooker and delicate offloads by the fly half.
But I also appreciate the more gladiatorial elements of the game, like the front row combat. And if one team’s route to success is by hoofing the ball into the corners at every opportunity – then good luck to them!
In fact, I think it’s the range of playing styles, skills required and people involved that make rugby such a great game. That and the fact that anyone can play the sport and be challenged by it.
That’s why I am committed to not only helping rugby coaches, but also playing my part in expanding the sport worldwide.
This blog is for everyone involved in rugby coaching and all the issues you face have a place here. We’ll be contributing something new each week, and I’d like to extend an open invitation for you to join in with your comments.
Through this blog we can listen to what you have to say about your coaching issues and, with our many contributors, look at ways to help you.
Whether it’s individual or team skills, coach development, refereeing, player behaviour, discipline, the role of parents, team management and selection, talent spotting or fitness, Rugby Coaching Blog aims to cover it all.
Your feedback and contributions are important and valuable for coaches all over the world, as this blog allows knowledge to be shared among coaches in scores of countries.
Please get involved, comment on this blog and give us your feedback. I promise to do our best to make this the most informative and compelling rugby coaching blog on the web.
If you haven’t already, you may wish to sign up for our Better Rugby Coaching weekly newsletter. As a member, I guarantee you will receive truly valuable rugby coaching tips every week.
Best of all it’s free!
Yours in rugby
Toby Curthoys, Better Rugby Coaching Publisher
