InstantForum.NET v4.1.4Better Rugby Coachinghttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/forum@betterrugbycoaching.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 09:23:19 GMT20http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2496-4-1.aspxpods... *sucks teeth and blows out*<br><br>great if you have 8 fit forwards - that is players who can actually fulfill the pod system for a whole game.<br><br>The reality that I see is that in a full pack four of the players are capable of that, two can manage it for less than a half and the other two can;t do it in the first minute. End result is that very quickly the pod structure breaks down completely either because players that should be there haven;t yet made it, or players aren't there because they had to cover for players in the OTHER pod at the previous breakdown (who hadn't made it etc). In the second half it has to be abandoned if its even made it that far.<br><br>diddsFri, 12 Feb 2010 14:43:44 GMTdiddshttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2496-4-1.aspxWholeheartedly agree on the 'over coaching' bit. I've heard people at amateur level trying to use pods for years, but while wasting a lot of time getting the kids to use it in games, they only managed to run about like headless chickens looking for their pod when they could have just scanned, reacted, listened, communicated and did as much was needed to move and secure the ball efficiently.<br><br>It's not a hard sport to do well with those qualities, a brain and a sense of efficiency and aggression.Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:24:26 GMTNieghornhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2496-4-1.aspxit's not only about the forwards and thier pod's - it also about how the backs interact/link with each pod/direction of play.Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:53:14 GMTd4zzlerhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2496-4-1.aspxJust speaking to a fellow coach. from a set piece on the left hand side of the pitch the 3 pods from left to right would be - 1,6,5 2,3,4 7,8Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:46:49 GMTyossarianhttp://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/rugbyforum/Topic2496-4-1.aspxAt Joe Worsley's recent testimonial dinner I spent some time talking to one of the England squad. He described to me a 3 pod system called 'arrow' which was employed against Aus and Argentina. This system was dropped for the NZ game with arguably positive consequences.</P><P>The exact details of the system are not entirely clear to me, as in who goes where and when - to be honest they didnt seem to be clear to the player, which may have been one of the reasons why it was deemed unsuccessful. However I imagine that from a shortened lineout for example you would play wide initially with a set of fwds supporting wide. I imagine you would work a couple of front rowers with a decent ball carrying lock into the middle of the field leaving the balance of the fwds forming the remaining pod where the lineout occured. It is not as clear to me at this stage what would happen at a scrum as the front row would be initally less mobile. If anyone knows of the variations I would greatly appreciate some more colour?</P><P>The player also alluded to the fact that it was pretty obvious what England were doing and therefore it was easy to defend - overcoaching and too much structure rearing its ugly head again. Dropping the system for the NZ game clearly led to the team playing more heads up and they reverted to a standard 2 pod - default 'same way' style.</P><P>I think there are valuable lessons to be learnt here - especially in light of Dallaglio's criticsm of the current management regime i.e. players being in awe of / afraid of Jono. It is in complete contrast to the joue joue approach of the French and it will be very interesting to see which style succeeds over the coming months and ultimately the world cup.</P><P>I personally think as coaches we should be giving the players the freedom to play what they see and not restrict them with a formulaic / complicated approach - however again if anyone knows more of the system I would love to hear?</P><P>I believe that a similar approach was adopted by Gloucester a few years back called 'day and night' and again would be interested if any fellow coaches could shed some more specific light on the structure.</P><P>CheersThu, 04 Feb 2010 14:28:20 GMTyossarian