Filed under: Dan Cottrell, ELVs, Rugby News | Tags: Brendon Ventor, ruck, ruck laws, the breakdown, Toby Booth
There is a debate amongst the English premiership coaches over the interpretation of the ruck laws. Brendon Ventor, the Saracens coach, has been censored by RFU for his comments on how referees are not controlling the breakdown area.
He has found some support, but not from all parts. Toby Booth, the London Irish coach, says put up and get on with it. Deal with the situation and play rugby.
There are over 30 offences that can happen around the tackle area. With the speed of the game as it is, plus players aiming to play on or over the edge of the law, there is some sympathy for the referee.
However, this does not make it easy to play or coach. Witness a top level coaching session and the ethics of the law seem to be on hold.
At lower levels, everything is perhaps worse. Poorer quality of everything leads to a mess which could envelope the game and remove it from its first priniciples. Can we cope with this, or does the IRB need to revisit the ruck law again?
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Skills, Rugby Training | Tags: contact skills, drills, London Irish, rucking, Toby Booth
The coaches at London Irish are full of excellent ideas. Here is a video of a drill created by David Williams and London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth.
It is quick to set up, interesting and slightly unusual. It gives you an excellent chance to concentrate on honing good technique.
Filed under: Dan Cottrell, Rugby Coaching, Rugby Team Management | Tags: age grade rugby, Guinness Premiership, London Irish, rising to the top, Rugby Coaching, Toby Booth
London Irish did not win the Guinness Premiership final. But the story of their coach, Toby Booth, makes inspirational reading.
Most top teams have former internationals at the helm. Booth rose from the lower regions of the pro league system. He built his career through working in less glamorous roles before gaining a reputation in age grade rugby.
His story is told in a recent interview with The Independent before the final.
