Rugby coaching tips for introducing change

The New Year and pre season can be great times to introduce change for your rugby players.

The New Year is a time for change and fresh ideas, and thoughts of the new season in the Southern Hemisphere. But from bitter experience I know how difficult it can be to stick to New Year and new season resolutions. So here's some practical rugby coaching advice to help.

Making resolutions work

Bold changes to your rugby training regime can work. But sometimes mantras like "no train, no play" can turn hollow pretty quickly when circumstances go out of your control. So what can you do to help the team maintain the resolutions?

1. Realistic and achievable

Resolutions should be in line with you and your rugby players' expectations. They should be based in part on what you were able to achieve last season or before the Christmas break. Too wild a resolution can be counter-productive.

2. Discussed and agreed

Unless all the players "buy in" to the resolutions, then keeping them is going to be difficult. Instead introduce change as a team building exercise. The key players in the team should be approached first informally, before any commitment is made to the changes.

3. Frequent reminders

If not posted on the changing room walls, then you should certainly mention the resolutions frequently in training. They must become second nature to all those involved. If the players can't remember them, then it shows they are not working towards keeping to them.

4. It starts from the top

Sticking to resolutions starts with the coaches. The classic example is when a team commits to banning alcohol straight after the game to aid recovery and rehydration. In which case, the coach has to adhere to the rule as well.