News
Rugby Coach Smart Sessions – ready-made weekly training to take straight on to the training ground.
Launched this week, Rugby CoachSmart Sessions answers the question that all coaches regularly ask themselves: “What shall I do in my next training session?”
Editor Dan Cottrell provides weekly Smart Session in a self-contained, easy to use format that provides all the information a coach needs to run a complete session.
They are “smart” because they are sharp, to the point, relevant and tested. Every one, whether it relates to tackling, rucking, mauling or scrummaging, has clear objectives, and gives the coach the practical means of obtaining them.
These training plans are more than just drills – they are self-contained guides to running an entire training session, with all that this entails.
Most important of all they are based on what coach want. Rugby Coach regularly asks members for their feedback on product development.
Here are some of the comments from coaches around the world who have already taken a look at Smart Sessions .
“Outstanding information.”
Ross Dixon, Rugby Manager, Burnside RFC, Christchurch, New Zealand
“Absolutely brilliant.”
Spencer Lamb, Youth Administrator and Coach Warley RFC, England
“A great tool.”
Ed Barnes, Tralee RC, Kerry, Republic of Ireland
“New ideas and great drills.”
Bill Bush, Captain, Rocky Gorge RFC, Maryland, USA
All in one handy sheet
Each session only takes 5 minutes to read – coaches can pick one up just before they start. They will need even less time to set up. The plan provides for activity covering around 20 minutes. However, the session is flexible enough to provide enough material for a much longer one.
Smart Sessions are aimed at coaches of all levels and build into a valuable library. Based on the core skills of rugby, the advice they contain will challenge players of all standards because a player can always perform the core skills better.
The great thing about these sessions is that coaches can perform an entire training period or just part of one.
How to use Smart Sessions
The session is delivered by e-mail every Wednesday, 52 weeks of the year. It can be simply printed off on a single piece of paper and taken to training. It should take less than five minutes to read the instructions, set up the session, and then communicate what happens to the rugby players.
All that is needed is a minimum of six players. With lots more players a number of grids can be working at the same time.
The timings are for a 20 minute session, but the session can be expanded or reduced. As a rule of thumb ten minutes would be enough time for a well-executed first drill, development and feedback. The game related element adds another 10 minutes.
Only basic equipment required
The equipment used is simple. A set of cones (or trainers or tops) as markers and a couple of balls. Use tackle bags, suits and rucking shields where available.
The size of the training area is left for the coach to decide. Smaller players need a smaller area, but the session will never need more than a 20m x 20m grid for initial drills. The smaller the area the more intense the training.
The “development” ideas can be used to differentiate between the different standards of players; the “think about” section can challenge the more advanced; the “game related situations” can change the contact situations the teams face.
Each session includes:
1. What to tell your players the session is about.
2. What you tell your players to do.
3. What you get your players to do.
4. Development.
5. What to shout.
6. What to look for.
7. What to think about.
8. Where does it fit.
Dan Cottrell, editor, said: “These sessions are designed to produce exactly what a coach needs in the fewest number of words – making his life easier without forcing him to read pages and pages of text, or worry about whether the graphics will load and work. Everything is done for the coach – even what to say to the players, the crucial part of the coaching process.”
Andrew Griffiths, publisher, said: “This product has been launched based on feedback from members of Rugby Coach newsletter so we are convinced that coaches around the world will be able to make full use of the service and experience the benefits.”
Rugby CoachSmart Sessions is available online at:
www.rugby-coach.com/sessions