Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Fitness | Tags: conditioning, debate, fitness, The Huddle, weight training
When can a young player start weight training?
There is no definitive answer, just read the debate in “The Huddle”
I think we can all agree that any training should take place in a safe and supervised environment, but what about the nature of what, how much and for how long?
I am no gym bunny myself though I can admit to an unhealthy obsession with a Concept 2 rowing machine.
However I did find “Rocket Rugby” helpful in explaining some programmes to players who asked.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, rugby defence, Rugby Skills | Tags: coaching defence, rugby defence, rugby tackle, rugby tackling, The Huddle
Having sat in a couple of planning meetings recently on rugby defensive structures, it is clear that defensive tactics are not clear.
It makes for interesting debate and so I point you to one of the most popular posts on the Better Rugby Coaching forum, the Huddle for some good and detailed discussion.
No doubt someone will ask me to summarise the arguments, but the development of the debate adds a different dimension to the your own thought processes perhaps.
So if you want more on: the height of the best tackle, up and out, out and in, drift, blitz, how to train tackling, jackling and more then click on this link.
Filed under: Rugby Coaching, Rugby Skills, Rugby Team Management, Rugby Training, Toby Curthoys | Tags: Italian national rugby, rugby coaches, The Huddle
The reason I ask is that I recently found this clip, highlighting a great tactic the Italian national rugby team
(and others) sometimes use. I’ve now posted it at The Huddle, the online forum for rugby coaches.
Dan also wrote about the tactic in last year’s Rugby Coach, his monthly magazine about rugby coaching. To help me better illustrate what the Italian’s are doing, he’s agreed to let me reproduce it here and in this week’s Better Rugby Coaching.
http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic733-4-1.aspx
Instead of competing for the lineout ball in the air, instead of driving into the jumper when they reach the ground, instead of pulling the jumper to the ground before a maul forms… the Italians do nothing!
As expected the opposition catch the ball and, as they’ve practised frequently, quickly form a “cluster” of players around the jumper. A team mate rips the ball from the jumper and moves it to the back of the “cluster”, where, under usual circumstances, it would be safest.
Crucially, however, because the Italians aren’t engaging there’s no maul. This means their hooker can whip around behind the opposition “cluster” and tackle the ball carrier at the back. Since there’s no maul, there’s no offside – just confused opponents.
If you’re planning to coach the tactic or try it out at your next rugby match make sure you:
Tell the referee about your plans before the game. It will look unusual and any referee who is caught unawares may not see it in the correct light and penalise you.
Ensure your players make no effort whatsoever to compete for the ball at the lineout. Even better they should step away from the opposition. This avoids any chance of contact.
Consider whereabouts on the pitch you’ll use the tactic. It’s generally best performed in their 22m area. You will lose ground, but should cause enough confusion to give you an advantage.
Spread your defenders in the lineout, so any efforts by the opposition to perform a peel (where the jumper pops the ball to a runner) can be thwarted.
Let me know how you get on!
Toby Curthoys, Better Rugby Coaching Publisher
