Better Rugby Coaching / Better Rugby Coaching / The Huddle

Puzzled...

smumpfump — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:17:45 GMT

Can somebody please tell me why Bradley Davies of Wales got a yellow for an awful-looking off-the-ball tip tackle and not a red. That was far worse than Warburton's in the World Cup and although I hate seeing players sent off, the ref needed to send out a message that those of challenges will not be tolerated at any level. The punishment meted out to the Irish team for a far lesser 'crime' later in the game that eventually cost them the match may have been correct to the letter of the law but as far as fairness goes..... and no, I'm neither Irish nor Welsh just a coach of a junior team who will be asking me these questions next week at training.

Front Row Set Up - 5 Feet in Line For Youth Players

Nick G — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:40:24 GMT

I've been coaching an U13 team in the transition from hooking only (no pushing) scrums, to the standard U19 variations.

A friend of mine observed a scrum session I took the other day. He's a pretty knowledgeable coach, but can also sometimes offer dogmatic opinions ,which are not well founded.

I've been coaching a '5 feet in line' set up for the font row i.e. hooker sets up with a split stance, hooking foot in front. The props then set up off the rear floor (feet parallel) shoulder width apart.

Now, my mate tells me that this is a senior rugby set up, which is not safe for youth player because it 'is prone to collapse because it requires more support from the second row'. I haven't yet had the chance to catch up with him for a proper explanation, but I hadn't previously considered it to be unsafe inappropriate for the age group, However, I live in a part of the world where there is no real coach CPD and getting advice on technical issues like this is a challenge.

Thoughts on what's considered safe for this age group in a developed rugby nation would be appreciated.

Uncontested scrums

Des — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:29:42 GMT

All,

I am a coach for an U17b team. We recently played a team where our scrum was better than theirs and we stole a few against the head in the first half. At the start of the second half it appears that their only hooker developed a sore neck so could not hook. The result was that they put him at number 8!!! and put in an untrained hooker which meant we went uncontested. That said, on our put in their scrum half was all over ours and we got very little quality ball from 9 to 10.

My question; What is the definition of an uncontested scrum? Should their scrum half be competing to this extent making it difficult for our 9 to move the ball out. Should the team putting in win the ball and therefore be able to get the ball from 9 to 10 or whatever.

What are "safe" boots

smumpfump — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:43:12 GMT

With the weather now getting colder, I tell my players that metal studs might not be the right choice on hard pitches. Some refs, however, are happy to rule blades as safe, while others prefer moulded studs. What is the ruling on safe footwear on harder pitches please?

Under 10 blog

andytm — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:56:37 GMT

Hi, i thought I would start this posting more as a weekly blog, maybe other coaches could share their expierences, we could all learn from each other. Newer coaches could pick up ideas and see that relatively expirenced coaches are going through excatly the same as them

So week 7 game 3

We arrived at the club home game, my turn for the warm up. Got the kids into pairs with a ball between them. Set of in pairs jogging and popping the ball, moved onto kneesup, feetup touch the bottom, sideways, left over right right over left movement all the time poppping the ball to each other. Stood still, pop the ball whilst moving the arms and body up and down, back to back ball around the body, then under and over, then holding the ball between each other and sawing. Moved off and more popping. Stationary again back to back sitting and rats and rabbits. Jog back and get a drink

Moved onto driving the tackle pad, the kids took over on the pads this week, maybe should have reminded them again how to hold the pad. Previous to this the parents had held the pad as I wanted one steady part of the practice so the coorrect driving position could be achieved. Then some passing drills. Match shirts on and get a drink.

First game explained to them that in previous weeks the child that goes for the gap is the child scoring trying to run around the outside of everyone wasn't so succesful this year. Emphasised during the game support and looking for support before being tackled. Game went well first win of the season recorded.

We have the luxury of two teams this season, which in itself bring problems of the perception of an A and a B team, still we have records of who plays for what team so we can dispell any fears of that.

Second game and the emphasis was still the same, second win recorded, starting to see some real determination appearing amongst the lads. A prop sidestepped, real sidestep not a moari one and scored, that brought about some cheers and laughter. The parents are starting to say that this year they can see some real rugby going on.

Player of the week went to a chap that tackled well supported well and found the gaps, I'm glad as during tag he could always find his way through even the smallest gap. Being slight it has taken a season of tackling for him to gain his confidence but he made an impact this week so the future looks bright.

Cheered the teams off and had a bit of spare time asked both teams if the wanted to play two handed touch bulldog. That was a resounding YES.

A good morning a win cheered the lads up, next week club training asked the other coaches to let us know what they thought we should concentrate on.

Anyway will give this a try till Xmas see if anybody likes it????

Pincher

The Six Nations

goodNumber10 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:14:04 GMT

So round one out of the way, what were your thoughts ont he games and team perfomances.

this is how i saw it:

Game one:

France: struggled to dominate upfront, and bad kicking from hand kept the italians in the game and their own half, but when the French did get quick ball proved they still have first class backs. Interesting to see how flat they played compared to all the other teams who seemed to stay very deep on the ball - Rougeries try prime example, nice flat pass with runner onto the ball splitting a badly aligned defence.

Italy: Not as bad as the score suggested, lack of finishing is a real problem, and they were ontop upfront imho. Still lacking a commanding number 10, and their strike runners struggled to make an impact. Think a win was beyond them but they won't be fearing England or Scotland that's for certain.

Game two:

Scotland:

Again lack of composure did for them, probably the better team, far more powerful physically (it was like role reversal from years of past) and had the edge upfront in the tight and the loose: with better set piece and ball carriers, but three try scoring chances wasted - and one dubious (I go with the TMO as I think he held hodgson back anyway). Robinsons got to be on his last chance this 6N.

England:

Get out jail free? Underpowered in the contact area and struggled to create any kind of go forward ball, I think they are still lacking a couple of strong ball carriers in the pack and in the backs. Early days though and they need to settle, however good spirit and fantastic scrapping in defence - although opened up very easily on three occasions. Think they should have utilised the pick and go a bit more to keep the scottish loose trio honest, and backs executing very deep made the ball movement quite lateral Would like to see Turner Hall come in for Farrell (harsh on him but i think he's a 10 over a 13). Not great but not terrible considering the amount of inexperience in the team.

Game Three:

Ireland: the better team, but wayward kicking and bad tactics from kidney did for them - they'll be feeling they lost this rather than wales won it (if that makes sense). I think they should have kept the Welsh pinned back as much as possible - goes with the wayward kicking from hand. Think Kidney should have subbed Sexton earlier in the second half when the Irish were out in the lead, and not when they were clinging on. Felt they were a match for the Welsh upfront, but midfield was underpowered as shown by Davies second try. Kearney was incredible at the back, and thought Bowe played well. Don't want to say it but they missed BOD a lot.

Wales: Felt the welsh backs were stronger physically but they played so deep for most of the game they never threatened the Irish the way they should have - big ball carriers like Roberts should be hitting the gain line hard off nice flat ball. Didn't really dominate upfront as much as they would have liked and the occasion when they got quick go forward ball they showed how dangerous they were, Davis Second try from the set piece was a bad Lapse in defence by McFadden but a great taken chance by the young lad - I really rate him strong, quck, good hands and good decision making. Again felt Priestland didn't use the boot to the ball well, but lovely half break for Davis first try.

All in all pretty much as to be expected, no classic games - although the Wales Ireland game wasn't far off it, certainly the best game for the Nuetral.

Things i noticed: how deep all the teams backs (bar the French) are executing - felt this lead to very lateral movement of the ball and shut down the wide runners space. Some more direct running would have probably been more effective.

Bad kicking from all 10's, everything was just down the back three's throats does no one do genuine tactical kicking anymore? also on the flip side of this the chasing up of kicks in all games was very poor.

Forwards wise no one really sucked defenders in with their forwards, everything was one out runners or wide, no real pick and goes to keep the fringes honest and the defences moving backwards. and no real carries in the midfield to create quick 2nd phases ball.

All in all think France looked the most clinical but will struggle against Ireland and Wales upfront. Scotland & Italy need to find a way to score tries (no change there then). England need to dominate the contact area a bit more and be a bit more direct with their ball carrying.

On this weekends:

France, Wales, Ireland, England/Scotland, Italy.

Lets here your thoughts.

Planning

spike — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:58:08 GMT

As I have a bit of time on my hands due to the weather I have been putting some plans in place for next season.

As background, this will be the last year I coach our youth at my club. My eldest will be moving into the seniors and it's fair to say I have had enough of the nanny state approach of certain people who manage aspects of that part of our game / club.

I've been coaching our seniors for the last season and a bit as part of a coaching team and this year there will be some big changes. Hopefully both our senior sides will secure promotion, early days I know but they are both very well placed to achieve this. It was the goal at the straight of the season. Also and sadly both team captains will be stepping back this year which will means that as a coaching team, management, selection and organising the players will all come to us.

Anyway the fun bit is that we have started planning our pre-season now. I'm aiming to bring some cross-sports skills into the mix and have secured the help of a judo coach and a greko(?) wrestling coach to bring a bit of change to the old "fitness" stuff. I've also assembled a mass of "equipment", ropes, tyres (car & tractor) and many other things. By planning sessions with the other coaches we have a plan to take us into next season.

Have to say this is the first time I have fully planned like this for what should be 60+ players, 2 evenings a week. Am looking forward to this once this season is out of the way.

First Aid Provision (poor) at Games

Des — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:01:04 GMT

All,

I am a coach for an under 17B team in West London. We play other London and local county teams. We take first aid seriously and have at least 3 qualified first aiders. The lads are of an age now that they are beginning to pick up more serious injuries, eg concussion, teeth knocked out etc.

Often, we play other teams who have no first aiders and ours do the honourable thing and help out the other teams. This does not seem right, does anyone know what the RFU view on this is?? Is there an RFU expectation that EVERY club should turn up with the appropriate first aid cover and not hope that the other team has it?

We are insured by the RFU as coaches I do find it strange that some clubs do not understand that they have a duty of care to all players, irrespective of age.

Des

Are the Laws of Youth Rugby different in France?

FatHooker — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:07:38 GMT

Hi There,

We're due to tour in France in April and wondered if tehre anyone has experience of different laws being applied in France that we need to be aware of please.

Might sound like a funny question, but believe it or not even Welsh and English youth teams play with variations :crazy: (sorry Scots and Irish, no experience fo your law variations).

Cheers,

Paul

Different shapes and sizes in the scrum

TheBoss — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:51:52 GMT

In my team at the moment the front row are all quite big and broad but the second row are tall and thin. In the scrum we're finding it difficult to get bound tightly as a unit; if the second row get a good grip of the props then there's a gap between them, if they get a good grip of each other then their angle of pushing is all wrong. Other than getting the second rows to fill out (or look for different players) any suggestions?

Place kicking

nige1980 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:43:06 GMT

Does anyone have any ideas why a place kicker who is right footed might be slicing the ball to the right?

Foot placement next to the ball is good and I've been working on getting kicking foot following thought straight to the target, but still a number of kicks slice off.

Have tried stripping run up back to one step to see if this helps but still happens.

Wearing "goggles" for rugby - is it really that dangerous

DanC — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:02:03 GMT

Do goggles hurt more than a boot in teeth, a smack in the mouth from a hand off, or headbutt from a scrum cap (or not scrum cap).

Help me justify why a 9 year old can't wear sports goggles to play rugby (in Wales at least).

Forwards rule: Deliver the ball to the halfback

GE — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:21:23 GMT

In my U11 team (comprising an A and B team), I coach the forwards. In order to get structure and phase play, I have set a strict rule in both teams as follows:

If the ruck/maul forms, the forwards must always try to deliver the ball to the half-back.

With this rule I ensure that the ball gets to the backs. I have also taught that the last two forwards arriving at the ruck/maul should stand as “pillars”, 2-3 paces each side of the ruck/maul. This is good for defense. In attack, if the half back deems it proper, he can “snap” a short pass to a forward for a barge run one off the ruck. But, it forbidden to pick up the ball at the back of the ruck. Forwards only get the ball if it is passed to them, it is alive or in the open, or at lineouts and penalty taps.

Q1: Is this a good policy, and does anyone know of any traps/pitfalls/variations? Will this work in U12s and up?

I have one boy, a big, fast dim-witted second rower in the A-team, who refuses to follow this rule. His father, who considers himself an expert in all matters of rugby, is encouraging him to “play the ball in front of him”. In other words, for an U11 boy, this translates into “get the ball, and run”. This means the boy waits behind the ruck for the ball to emerge instead of joining, refuses to slip the ball back in mauls, etc :crazy:. He is occasionally a hero, and scores a try. But more often he locks the ball up in the maul, or runs and gets isolated, losing possession :pinch:. I have spoken to the father and the boy, and they are apparently ignoring me.

Q2: What should I do about this?

edinburgh - calcutta cup w/e

didds — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:07:54 GMT

its calcutta cup in edinburgh this weekend... 1st time I've been there since i was 16 years old and sat ion the car all day listening to the cricket!

1) anybody else going?
2) any suggestions for what to do in edinburgh on the sunday -general tourism query :-)

didds

Game more important than the score

smumpfump — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:57:12 GMT

Our B team played against a weak team last weekend, a team who had not scored a try all season. We packed our side with development players, some out of position, but still we led by five tries at the break. We then asked our boys to make sure the opposition scored a try. Within a minute of the restart, three fumbles from the kick-off led to a convincing-looking try by the opposition who celebrated like they had won the Heineken Cup. We even allowed them an extra one at the end. Allowing the opposition to score might not be in the spirit of the game but the look on the lad's face and the huge cheer of the travelling parents surely justified it. I was at pains to tell our boys that they must not stop trying because they might get injured and they were happy to go along with it. Have any other coaches done this before?

National coach "only an assistant" at U11s

lloydo — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:48:13 GMT

Take a look at this article about England interim coach Stuart Lancaster

Perhaps this is the most revealing interview he has done. He is coaching an U11s team (his son's).

The parents observe and appreciate his style, the kids obviously respond to his methods of praise and encouragement and I doubt they mess with him – I don't think the England players will either.

He has the ultimate weapon at his disposal: Selection. Read this to see how people are reacting to him.

Even if England do not win the Six Nations, you know they will be in a better place.

Rugby Coaches needed in Grand Rapids Michigan

DanC — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:02:43 GMT

From: Greg Peak [mailto:gpeak@empire-solutions.com]
Sent: 19 January 2012 18:21

Hi There,
I am writing to ask you for contact information on people that might be interested in coming to West Michigan to coach rugby teams.
We have a huge need for high school and a mens club currently.
Can you help me identify people?
I coach a high school and a youth program currently and have purchased stuff from you.
Can you please help me further?
Thank you very much.

Greg Peak
616.540.7535
Grand Rapids Rugby Football Club
West Michigan Rugby Association
501C-3
EIN # 263754057 DUNS #832756915

Mission Statement
To impact the lives of all in West Michigan by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of Rugby.

Playing up from U16 to U17 Problem

engelsman1 — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:11:47 GMT

If anyone has experienced something similar below, I'd be interested in any positive comments and how and if you managed to sort it out.

I coach an U16 club team. Recently 5 boys were selected for the County Squad. However one boy who had been there for 3 years was not re-selected.

Putting it mildly the kak hit the fan. The father took to abusing the County, the Professional Club that overseas us and rubbishing the skewed decision where 'worse' boys were selected. This was done verbally on many occasions and on emails. In my opinion a lot of this was child abuse. Individuals were singled out.

The boy is also part of one of the Home Union Exile teams, anyway both father and son decided that their future didn't lie with us, picked up sticks and moved down the road to another club.The parting shot from the boy ,was that he said 'If i stay i will hit so and so ',one of my coaches. A pretty strong threat.

I'm very good friends with the coach down the road, and I warned him he was inheriting problems.

Apparently it hasn't gone well, the boy fools around, is immature and really can't do the job he is supposed to do as a player. The new coach is shocked that he is involved in representative rugby.

We have heard on the rumour mill that he wants to come back to my club, but to play in the U17s. He hasn't even been gone 2 months. We are now hearing other boys from my team have been approached to play up in the U17s. Of course I'm pretty livid as this has the propensity to rip a chunk out of the team. It would appear that boys and parents from one of the local private schools are behind this. Of course that's me making 2+2=5.

I believe Age Grade Regulation 15.1.4.2b states that U16 and U17 may play up 2 age grades.

I think my club is stuck with these regulations , unless someone can enlighten me, how to get out of this. Or is it just up to my club to say, as there are 2 U16 teams (A & B)these boys aren't permitted by' internal' rules to go up.

The thing is , a lot of us don't want father and son back. The peace that we've had for the last 6 weeks is unbelieveable. We are as coaches actually enjoying being out on the paddock again.

However we are living in times where discrimination of any sort can lead to court.

My feeling is if father and son came back and were subject to disciplinary measures for threatening a coach, and father was subject to disciplinary measures for his outbursts, maybe they'd think twice about coming back. Is this a feasible line or too weak?? Has anyone any experience of seeing bans being put in place for something similar. If so how long were these bans.?

I am in England , if that makes giving advice any easier.

thanks in advance

Player moving Wales to England - Registration???

Number7 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:22:41 GMT

I coach an U13 team in Wales, our star number 10 is moving with his family to England, do I have to do anything about his Welsh Rugby registration in order for him to play in England?

Are they separate?

He says that he will be back to stay with extended family in school holidays. Will he be allowed to play when in Wales?

Sorry - Questions, Questions, Questions!

Anyone with any similar experiences?

Thanks

Encouraging passing in our U9's

OGPirate — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:24:12 GMT

I am becoming very frustrated with our U9 group; for whom I am the lead coach. We have tried everything we can think of to get them to pass. The are learning the contact game well, they tackle, ruck and maul well, and they all love to run with the ball but the pass is the weapon of last resort!

We have tried all sorts of drills, and they go reasonably well, but into the game and hardly any passing.

Is it this age group? I would love some thoughts and ideas from you on how to get U9's to pass (more) :)

Minis free pass practice game

OGPirate — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:28:21 GMT

I coach U9's and we need to smarten up our free pass restarts. They are too static, flat and vulnerable to tacklers, we have discussed this with the team and they understand; can anyone help with an idea of a practice game to turn this into a skill?

maul, channel ball in the scrum

Billy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:53:23 GMT

Would anyone be able to help with my below 2 questions

1 The ball is channeled in the scrum to the 8. What I mean is one the hooker hooks the ball how it goes through the second row to the back of the scrum, and how to channel the ball to 3 different channels at the back of scrum.

2 Detailed explanation of forming a maul from start to finish.

Video footage will be great

Playing with local rules...

smumpfump — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:50:35 GMT

My son's U13 team played a league match at the weekend where they were continually pinged by the ref for handing off albeit at chest height as they have been coached. We spoke to the ref at half time who said his team's coach had not taught his players hand-offs yet as they are outlawed at U13 level. And besides, the team they played in their first league match felt the same way so they played the match without them. The ref would not listen to reason so our players had to try and run without handing off after waiting years for the chance to do so. Worse was to follow later when our winger dropped a ball behind him but fly-hacked it down the line and behind their winger. The opposing coach bellowed "Fly hacks aren't allowed at U13" and demanded a penalty. We eventually won the game (just) so felt we could raise these points with the ref and their coaches after the game. What bothers me is there are coaches who don't know the laws of the game sufficiently trying to teach players the right way to play. Surely this club must have access to a continuum that shows updated age groups rules and regs. More worrying is that the coach and ref still refused to believe U13s has hand-offs and fly-hacks and will attempt to impose local rules on the next side that plays there.

Child welfare

spike — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:02:41 GMT

This query is born from personal experience and one which is driving me insane. As a game we seem to have got ourselves in a massive muddle with regards to either child welfare or more likely the litigation society we currently live in.

For example my club seems to be getting qualified CWO at a rate which out paces the development of any new coaches, equally there are more CWO courses in our CB then there are rugby ready courses.

We are given chapter and verse about what is considered best practise, most of which is common sense but some is just plain stupidity (see post about playing adult rugby form).

To counter this approach I look at kickboxing, the other contact sport my 14 year old son does. He is 1st Kyu in this (one down from black belt). His training is twice a week for the best part of 2 hours a session. One of which will include a number of rounds of contact sparring. He will fight other matial artists of a similar grade to him. Age and size is not taken into account it is based on ability. He loves this.

However, this type of approach would NEVER be allowed on a rugby pitch at the minute (regardless of ability) yet they must be subject to the same welfare and litigation rules as we are.

Is it our game's approach to this, is it a wish to remove contact elements from the game or is it (as I believe) that we have some over zealot people applying their view of rules?

Thoughts?

scrum machine instructions

JDink — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:53:57 GMT

I'm an assistant coach for a men's club in the USA. We've got a Rhino scrum machine that I believe is grossly underused. Trouble is, no one knows how to make use of all (any?) of its features. I understand we've had it for about 8 or 10 years, but most of the pads are still in the original wrapper. Does anyone know how to make use of this machine?

It's a roller (two "in front", one swiveling in the back) with pads attached to "pistons" on the front and elastic bands for both horizontal and vertical control. We scrum down against that side in ones, threes, fives, and eights.

But the other end of the machine has elements that reportedly help mauling and lineouts. We've never used that at all and have no idea how to.

Any tips?

Thanks,
JD

Player Proficiency Awards (England)

didds — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:13:03 GMT

Its seal of approval time... there is a section on SoA wrt "Player Proficiency Awards" ... historically we've not done them because of lack of time for coaches to implement/mark/judge/whatever each stage on top of the myriad of other things coaches do, and the potential expense.

Is anyone else implementing them - what is your approach and experiences?

And for those that are not implementing them... what do your clubs do about the SoA section for this?

cheers

didds

line out lift - 1 leg or 2 leg

Aby — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:24:41 GMT

Could anyone advise which line out they prefer. The single leg lift or the double leg lift.

And what are the pros and cons of both type of lifts?

Is it me?

spike — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:35:27 GMT

As some of you will know I coach U17s and am in the process of seeing some of these lads move into senior rugby at age 17. In order to do this the senior coaches (which includes me) watch the Colts or U17s playing and training and we assess the players on their ablity to step up to senior training. If we believe that they are able and ready then we will sign the RFU's playing adult rugby form.

I have done two such forms recently. On Wednesday evening we had a development match which we fielded a team of these lads and some new recruits with a few old heads added against a local RAF base squad. Great game but not the point of the post....

I had sorted the RFU forms out and printed them off. I had re-formated the spacing on the form to allow to print on one page and added our club logo in the header of the document to denote it as a club document to be kept in line with the regulation 15.

However at the match the club CWO wanted to see the forms and due to the presence of the header on the print out stated the form was invalid and the player could not play.

My question is, Is it me or has the world gone mad? The words are the same, there is no branding on the template which is downloadable from the RFU site and it is a poorly formatted document in terms of spacing.

Thankfully we managed to get someone to run home, print a new form and get back before the player was needed on the pitch although it did mess his warmup up some what.

As for his performance in his first senior game....One outstanding try, a number of fine tackles and praise from the lads around him.

Paying coaches

HullFC — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:27:20 GMT

Paying Coaches. Level 7 club. Level 2 coach. How much?

Coaching a player to run into another player

DanC — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:56:34 GMT

Just a quick dig a ruck pads...

They have their place, but again and again and again I see them being used as something to run into in training.

Not a good idea.

Being a B team coach...

smumpfump — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:02:01 GMT

Whether you call your teams Blue and Red, Lions and Tigers or Moons and Suns, everyone knows it's A and B. Am I the only B team coach who is happy to let my players go to the A team or should I insist on a set in stone squad? Surely a B team is for development and better players will always move on?

Sideline fury

Little fix — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:48:23 GMT

I started coaching last year and this year I am thinking of giving up. Thats why I am posting on here. Can anyone tell me how to deal with some parents who will not shut up during the game, constantly calling out to their kids or other kids to play better or stop making mistakes. I have tried to tell them, but it is very difficult to do without seemingly like a teacher. We are all adults but it is so hard to have a sensible conversation. I hate matches and going to them. It is really embarassing overall.

Scrumage machine

cheeks1987 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:18:36 GMT

Hi guys

ive started coaching a senior team thats only just formed and were in need of a scrummage machine, but due to only just forming we have very little funds to buy one, are there any clubs out there that have one that they do not need any more or have got one for sale,

cheers

Checking for understanding

nige1980 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:58:27 GMT

Had probably the most frustrating coaching session I've experienced last night. Were doing a drill based around drift defence and trusting the inside shoulder.

Explained the drill, got a group to run a demo as we explined again, asked group for key points etc and finally asked if everyone was happy with what we were trying to do and they everyone understood.

Yes I know that last two are closed questions etc but with the mixed ability group I coach they are essential questions. Anyhow, group all nodded that they were happy, first group who had been used in the demo ran it perfectly, second group clearly had no idea and completely messed it up.

This was a theme that was repeated most of the session with players saying that they understand what they are doing when they clearly do not. Would appreciate some ideas on how to get the players to engage more with us as coaches and with each other.

Calcutta Cup renewal

lloydo — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:20:33 GMT

Last year England overcame a brave Scotland side, which led to a Six Nations triumph for the English and this year the match-up is one of the first fixtures for us all to feast upon.

Here are the highlights of that match which ended 22-16 at Twickenham.

Top tries of 2011

lloydo — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:34:33 GMT

These are the best tries of last year as voted for by a panel of judges on French TV network Canal+.

Not surprisingly there are quite a few from the Top 14 French league and one of my favourites is at number 5 in the list - scored by Biarritz and USA wing Takudzwa Ngwenya. The series of one-handed offloads on the way to the try line is faultless.

Enjoy!

Quins cracker

smumpfump — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:16:24 GMT

Two particular tackles executed by Quins during their Heineken Cup wn in Toulouse were incredible. Servat being stopped in goal and that Clerc tackle a yard from the line stood out. What's the greatest tackle you have ever seen?

So what's with the attitude??

No8smate — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:22:29 GMT

I am currently one of a four coach strong teamworking with an Under 13 team who benefit from a depth of talent, experience and skill in our squad (currently 29 players), strong parental support and a good level of success - we shared the county championship last season and 4 of our team are now attending the county school of rugby. Our sessions are focussed on everyone having fun - above everything else and we generate a good level of camaraderie and commitment amongst the lads.

So, what's the problem, I hear you cry? Well each of the 4 coaches has a son, three of which we would currently rate amongst our 'top 10 performers'. The problem is that one of them (although he has good hands and a good rugby mind) has a major attitude. Just to mention at this point he is built like a prop, runs like a prop and plays like a prop but has the view that his perfect position is inside centre or full back (for which he has neither the game awareness or energy). This week after a very enjoyable game against tough opposition, he was sitting with myself and another coach (not his Dad) and we were gently coaching him to a realisation that maybe a career in the pack might suit him better when he came out with ' My Dad said that I can play where I want to play - I'm not going to play as a prop'. I was left speechless - no-one else in the team dictates where they play and, although I understand that respect has to be earned by coaches and players alike - I came away thinking that the coaching team is being bullied!!!

Now, up to this point we have been using the softly softly approach with him and his Dad, hoping that they'd both see what a great front row he'd make and encouraging them both into the 'obvious' decision. So, should we continue with this approach - on the basis that he's only 13 and it's better to have him playing than not even though he isn't performing to his ability for himself or the team - OR is it time to confront his Dad and hit him with some home truths???

What is 'leaching'?

OGPirate — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:52:05 GMT

I just read about 'leaching' in the contest of rucking and mauling, has anyone else heard of it? What is it?

Two questions...

MarkL — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:22:41 GMT

...on a point of law please:

1. Is calling the mark permitted at U13 level?

2. If a scrum half drops the ball forward while waiting to put the ball in at a scrum once the 'engage' has been called, is it a knock-on?