News
Secrets of the Front Row – a unique training manual for front row forwards and coaches
A unique training manual for front row players and coaches is published this week.
Secrets of the Front Row covers the strategies and tactics, methods and techniques required to create a commanding front row that can produce more power and deliver top quality first phase ball.
The manual is a first for this aspect of rugby union, drawing on the skills and experience of players from all levels of the game.
Written and edited by Dan Cottrell, editor of the internationally acclaimed Rugby Coach coaching newsletter, Secrets of The Front Row is a comprehensive new reference book for anyone playing or coaching these roles.
Player Skills and Coaching Points
There is a dedicated chapter for each of the positions: hooker, loose-head and tight-head. Each provides detailed player skills and coaching points covering feet, body and head positions, psychology and communication.
The chapters for the props look at their respective binding options with the hooker and the opposition, how to dominate opponents and create maximum disruption.
Secrets of the Front Row is packed with sensible and sound advice from top-flight professionals plus amateurs with long years of experience, providing a depth of knowledge about the front row not available in any other coaching manual or web resource.
Illustrated with fully-explained line drawings, these insights provide players and coaches with clear, simple, proven-to-work actions that should lead to improved performance.
Winning the Engagement
One of the most important challenges facing the front row is winning the engagement, and the chapter on this element of the game leaves no aspect untouched. The benefits from success – quick and easy ball, higher morale, the push-over try – explain why winning the engagement should be a priority coaching area.
Triumphing in the clash of the opposing front rows requires the front three and their supporting players to demonstrate teamwork, controlled aggression and to act in unison. The report explains what techniques should be followed to develop these skills and reveals the expert secrets behind attaining them. These include what to shout to help the timing, the right front row mental approach, the best body positions to adopt plus, crucially, what not to do.
Comprehensive Instruction and Training Manual
This 60-page instruction and training manual provides the tools for coaches and players to attain targets that should lead to better results.
The extensive problem-solving area provides the answers to such questions as:
Why do my props keep going off balance before the engagement?
- What makes a good scrummaging session?
- How can you prevent the tight-head prop from being twisted?
There’s also a 10-point guide to health and safety aspects that are essential for every coach and player to know and understand, as well as an easy to read summary of the International Rugby Board laws covering the front row.
Secrets of The Front Row is available online at:
www.rugby-coach.com/secrets