Training
This section looks at innovative and proven training methods to get the most out of your players. Whether that's a novel way to use a tackle bag, or a motivational tip, these articles look at boosting your rugby coaching in the one area where you really can make a difference.
-
Wise Words from the Experts
-
Three acknowledged rugby coaching experts provide tips on their coaching strategies.
-
Touch Rugby to Make Your Players Shine
-
This simple game concentrates on running, support play and passing ability, ensuring a great skills and fitness workout for the entire team.
-
Pep Up Your Training Runs
-
Hill running is a great way to add some variety to routine running fitness workouts.
-
Dynamic Stretching Routines
-
You don't need to be a physio expert to introduce these stretches into your team's warm up routines.
-
9 Ways to Train with Tyres
-
A fun alternative to the usual drill equipment, to boost core skills and fitness.
-
6 Ways to Get to Grip with Grids
-
Grids are sometimes used as an end in themselves, rather than as the means to an end. Here's how you can enhance your use of grids.
-
Making Core Skills Fun
-
Core skills training can be a chore. Here's how to add some variety to make the process more fun and develop the skills quicker.
-
Training with Tennis Balls
-
Tennis balls make a welcome alternative from the usual rugby ball work and also teach good technique.
-
5 Alternative Ways to Train with Cones
-
Better Rugby Coaching experimented with using cones to add a different dimension to training, breaking up the normal routines.
-
Improvised Training
-
Sessions to pull out of the coaching toolkit when your plans have gone awry.
-
Make Your Side Better Tacklers
-
Concentrate on getting the right mindset to get your players to tackle more effectively.
-
Overspeed Training
-
Assisted running techniques to get your players faster.
-
Passing Along the Floor
-
A lucky break, or a potent attacking weapon?
-
A Great Scrummaging Session (Part 1)
-
How to run an effective scrummaging session in 30 minutes.
-
A Great Scrummaging Session (Part 2)
-
How to run an effective scrummaging session in 30 minutes.
-
Winning Quicker Ruck Ball in 6 Easy Steps
-
Quick ball means a chance to run at a less organised defence. But if your team simply can't produce the sort of ball your scrum half needs, here are some cures.
-
Training the Back Row
-
Ways to help improve this unit's performance.
-
Am I Still a Good Coach?
-
All coaches have moments of reflection or even doubt. Here are some tried and tested methods to reinvigorate your coaching.
-
Thinking Outside the Box - Circle Grids
-
Training a large group can be difficult. Try circle grids for a different approach.
-
Touch Rugby – Friend or Foe?
-
Playing touch rugby can pay dividends when it comes to full contact matches.
-
Using Touch Rugby to Improve the Basics
-
How touch rugby can allow your players to experiment and extend their core skills.
-
Rugby in Union?
-
What rugby union can learn from rugby league.
-
Laws Reminders - Knees - Lineouts and Crossing
-
Can't you remember all the Laws?
-
Fundamentals of a Great Lineout Session
-
Repeat, perfect. Oppose, compete.
-
Concentrate on the Five
-
Colin Ireland sets out exercises to test the five core skills.
-
The One Session Workout
-
Ken MacEwen shows you how to build your team's fitness and improve your players' skills at the same time.
-
Tramlines Rugby Practice
-
For Frank Hadden, the Scotland coach, practising the basics is an important part of training.
-
Overload Attack Game
-
Challenge your players' individual and unit defensive abilities.
-
Periodization Uncovered
-
What it is and how it can work for your team.
-
Concentrate on the Five
-
The core areas of the game that even the top players practise every week.
-
5 Ways to Create a Controlled – Aggressive Team
-
Following the example of the All Blacks.
-
The Art of Falling Over
-
How you fall makes a big difference to how well your side keeps the ball.
-
Hold Your Breath – Here Comes Kabaddi
-
An exciting all action invasion game, that can easily be applied to rugby.
-
Touch Rugby to Make Your Players Shine
-
Simple games with big skills and fitness gains.
-
Pop Cycles
-
A full session to boost your team's short passing skills.