InstantForum.NET v4.1.4Better Rugby Coachinghttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/forum@betterrugbycoaching.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 09:34:25 GMT20http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxI agree there were a lot of technical/ skill errors, but dd you SEE the intensity of those games?! I was on the touch line for the 2nd test &amp; it was SCARY!:w00t:Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:18:23 GMTRed & Black fanhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspx'Watching the recent Tri Nations games (SA v NZ in particular), I was appalled at the low level of skill on offer. <P>Best 2 sides in the world????................'</P><P>Define 'Best'? England werent very entertaining (have they EVER been?) in the build up to OR their 2003 RWC success, but they WERE the best team in the world... ditto the ABs &amp; Boks...Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:17:07 GMTRed & Black fanhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspx[quote][b]Ianthesmudger (26/07/2009)[/b][hr]I would say that it is even more important for players who don't get their hands on the ball in a game to still be comfortable and, more importantly, effective with the ball in hand. We coach too many forwards to think that their game outside of the lineout and scrum is to set up rucks and mauls. What if we coached them to think about getting the ball into space rather than boshing it up into contact every time?[/quote]</P><P>I completely agree.</P><P>Get the balls out as often as possible, and coach ALL players to make decisions with the ball. Watching the recent Tri Nations games (SA v NZ in particular), I was appalled at the low level of skill on offer. </P><P>Best 2 sides in the world????................Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:39:30 GMTChunky Charvishttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxI would say that it is even more important for players who don't get their hands on the ball in a game to still be comfortable and, more importantly, effective with the ball in hand. We coach too many forwards to think that their game outside of the lineout and scrum is to set up rucks and mauls. What if we coached them to think about getting the ball into space rather than boshing it up into contact every time?Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:37:27 GMTIanthesmudgerhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxThere is a theory that you keep players hungry for the ball. Give them too much rugby and they burn out.</P><P>Also some players never touch the ball in the game let alone in pre season.</P><P>Just food for thought...Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:23:40 GMTDanChttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxI agree with GourouxPete. More balls the better. I use tennis balls, footballs, deflated footballs (try and spin one of them!) and beanbags. We even had fun with eggs the other week.</P><P>I think it's simple, there's two options.</P><P>1- fitness. players end up running 2/3/4 miles in a session and walk home calling you all the names going.</P><P>2- Ball skills. Player do a range of ball work and drills, end up running 2/3/4 miles and enjoy it!</P><P>SlimadeyFri, 24 Jul 2009 13:22:09 GMTslimadeyhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxR&B is spot on.<br><br>My biggest bug bear with senior training, at least at amateur levels, is players say they don't want "fitness" at practice (which I heartily endorse because our time is limited and can be made better use of) but then do stuff all about getting any outside of club practice.<br><br>If aged 46 years, ex prop, I can run 12 miles a week minimum people half my age can!!<br><br>didds<br><br>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:17:12 GMTdiddshttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxA man after my own heart! ;-)Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:57:46 GMTRed & Black fanhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxTotal agreement! Use the balls from pre-season session #1 and the players will stay interested. Use different types of ball as well, as its good proprioception for hand-eye work. (Tennis balls work well for this). </P><P>Plan your programme over say 8 weeks and split into 2x4 week sets, with different emphasis each week. For mine probably sessions 3 and 6 will be the most intense in fitness terms. Rugby is a stop/start game - so use Tabatas and other interval work and be as creative as you like. You can do a full tabata in four minutes and incorporate ball work within it, and it will be very effective.</P><P>Pre-season is a re-awakening of fitness, strength, individual skills, team skills. More individual skills work in weeks 1-4, team stuff in the second half. Hide the fitness work (which is the least interesting) inside the other activities and the players will thank you.Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:51:31 GMTGourouxPetehttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxPre-season = BALLS OUT of the sack &amp; in the hand at EVERY opportunity! :D If ppl wanted to get 'fit' they'd join the gym or go to bootcamp classes! Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:23:07 GMTRed & Black fanhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxThere is a school of thought that pre-season training is to get the players fitness to an acceptable standard before the season starts. Sometimes the focus on fitness detracts from what pre-season really should be, and that is preparing players for the coming season - that means ball-handling, decision making, improving communication skills and individual and unit skills. I would suggest that the challenge for any coach is to develop sessions that encompass all these and also develops fitness. Conditioned games that adhere to the coaching principles of Active, Purposeful, Enjoyable &amp; Safe will ensure that the players will enjoy the sessions and be back next week. Thrashing people with various fitness drills that have little or no relation to the actual game we play will just mean numbers will dwindle. Get the ball in their hands, get them active, get them thinking, get them making decisions....the fitness is "hidden" and the benefits to the players, individually and collectively are massive.Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:49:25 GMTIanthesmudgerhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxI would say it depends on what level you are playing at and what type of game you are going to play. However at any level you need to consider what players are (or if you persuade them, can) do on their own, so training can complement this. As a final thought, I think the most important aspect of any training is motivation, so, whatever you decide, make sure the playes buy into it and enjoy coming to traning.Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:57:37 GMTiolohttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxI guess it depends on factors like the level of your team and how much time you have ... but for me, players can never have too much ball contact. They need to develop that instinctive "feel" for the ball and its characteristics, so the more ball-in-hand time the better IMO.</P><P>I don't know about any other schools of thought. There are always lots of opinions going around. What matters is what you think is right for your team. I think your schedule is fine.</P><P>And I share your wishes for Saturday!</P><P>Cheers - FerretThu, 02 Jul 2009 13:16:46 GMTFerrethttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2037-4-1.aspxIn short , I will be responsible for a pre season my first official one,:w00t: for the seniors of the club, now I am for as much ball handling or ball familarisation as possible but there seems to be a school of thought of almost 6 weeks there should be no ball contact , which for me would seem a waste , I planned 2 weeks fitness then drills with fitness using a ball for the rest, so my question is , is there a wrong or right to not use rugby balls in pre season.</P><P>Lets look forward to a good hard CLEAN game on Saturday.</P><P>SaludosWed, 01 Jul 2009 18:01:44 GMTstacyduv