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RE: When to use the whistle in training

Nieghorn — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:03:48 GMT

I've been working with adults the last few years and they hate me using the whistle in training unless it's to stop them. I normally don't even bring it, but brought it out for something (forget what now), intending one toot to get them to do X and two toots to do Y ... but they immediately complained, saying they were conditioned to play to the whistle and then get into penalty position. (At least some things I tell them stuck in their heads!)

Shouting instructions then, it has to be. Remember: diaphragm! [Tucks hands to stomach and pretends to lift from... ]

RE: When to use the whistle in training

Phil Ratcliffe — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:02:04 GMT

It's clearly age dependent: I'm constantly reminding my U12's that the whistle RESTARTS the game; that is, when the ref. blows for an infringement, the team awarded the free kick can restart immediately. Moreover, as already noted by Red & Black fan, verbal cues with kids don't necessarily work and, from my experience, have the only effect of giving the coach a sore throat. Having said that, I'm also using verbal cues, but given by the players themselves in order to improve communication; an example would be "out" or similar to signal the ball coming out of a maul or ruck for the opposition and the consequent advance of the defensive line.

RE: When to use the whistle in training

Red & Black fan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:46:49 GMT

... I know a good few SH coaching legends who'd be muttering darkly into their beers at those sentiments... I think its largely dependent on the age and ability of the players (try running a drill with U9s using verbal cues only! :w00t: ) the method of the coach and the situation at hand- some drills/ sessions lend themselves to whistles, others to verbal cues & still others to a mixture of visual & auditory...

RE: When to use the whistle in training

GourouxPete — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:33:48 GMT

Quite agree, Dan.

The whistle is a "stop" anchor in rugby and its good practice to re-inforce that anchor.

When to use the whistle in training

DanC — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:11:23 GMT

Some coaches use a whistle in training to start a drill or in the middle of a session to set off some players.

If we were being pedantic, this is not particularly game related since the whistle is used to stop the game (apart from a kick off).

Better to shout something. And that is pretty much like in the game, as players have to reacted to audio cues.