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RE: Pods at U16

BigRog — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:43:52 GMT

Pods at 16, if not 16 then when?!

I think it helps players to get some structure on their game. Especialy if they are not too experienced.

Even if they are, it helps them to have an idea of where to go next and also to give them the idea that just because they have won a lineout their job is not finished.

it should be seamless though. pods should come together easily and you should be able to get the players, through coaching, to form a pod on-the-fly as it were.

So, from lineouts especially, you should include your next ruck as part of the lineout practice. How often do you see lineout practice where they finish with a ruck in midfield with a pod standing out?

Also as I said you want players to be able to think on their feet about grabbing another player and making themselves available for the scrum half, during open play. This also maeans that they will be thinking about where on the pitch they need to be to be of advantage to the attacking play.

RE: Pods at U16

Ruckoff — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:43:38 GMT

Our team has used a 2 pod system for forwards when attacking since Under 13s (now under 16s).

The 2 pod system (Backrow+Lock, Frontrow+Lock) is very effective for maintaining possession through phase play.

It does require all the players to buy in to the system and when when first implemented can feel restrictive for the forwards. Our players now actually prefer this system.

The thing that makes it work is obviously keeping the 2 pods together. We practice this in training on a full pitch with the backs as well, running through all the gameplan attacking moves. We have pod captains, whos role is to keep the pods organised at all times and in the correct place for the next phase.

When the forwards train as a group, we play in pods and it does become second nature for them and they enjoy the competitive element we have introduced of being the best pod.

You also need a scrumhalf who is fully aware of the system and able to direct the pods as needed. Our S/H and F/H make the calls as to what is going to happen at the next phase and they know that 1 pod will secure the ball and the other pod will be available to either pick and go, receive the ball from the S/H or F/H or get in the correct position to support the backs.

Our backline have found that the support from the forwards has greatly improved using this system.

It is not all plain sailing though. You will find that the difference in fitness levels will mean that you have members of a pod who can become passengers or go missing completely, but these are the usually the players that avoid the hard work in a game if you weren't using this system. It is actually easier to track a players involvement in a game using pods.

You will also find that the pod system can breakdown completely in the heat of battle and a back up plan for when this occurs is needed.

It is now standard practice for our team and any new players adapt to the system quickly because of this. I would recommend coaches try it but it is obviously not for all teams.

Despite what a lot of coaching courses now overly preach regarding avoidance and space, rugby is a full on collision sport and as such contact is inevitable and you should plan, coach and train for it.

Just because you use a pod system doesn't mean that the forwards can't play heads up rugby and only become crash ball merchants, the opposite can be true because the players know that 3 of their mates are right on their shoulder which gives them alot of options, such as passing before contact, offloading, creating mini mauls, popping from the floor and of course generating quick ball from rucks.

RE: Pods at U16

didds — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:07:08 GMT

[quote][b]MrP (03/09/2010)[/b][hr]Biggest point is how you coach the "pods". If we spend time coaching younger (and let's face it older!) players how to go into contact and then deliver a quick ruck there's always the danger that they'll become pre-conditioned to go and find a defender to run into.

Obviously contact occurs but let's not forget that the game, in its purest form, is about contact avoidance. Support (pods or otherwise) for continuity in the first instance, securing the ball in contact in the second.[/quote]

I would be the first to agree in general, but there are times when deliberate contact is the tactic in order to achieve a perceived advantage e.g. removing the opposition back row from subsequent immediate defensive capabilities. That's not to say that players should not still be alert to other possibilities SHOULD they arise, and should make the tactical contact as difficult as possible for the opposition to defend e.g. do not just flop over in front of the oppo #7!

didds

RE: Pods at U16

MrP — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:32:18 GMT

Biggest point is how you coach the "pods". If we spend time coaching younger (and let's face it older!) players how to go into contact and then deliver a quick ruck there's always the danger that they'll become pre-conditioned to go and find a defender to run into.

Obviously contact occurs but let's not forget that the game, in its purest form, is about contact avoidance. Support (pods or otherwise) for continuity in the first instance, securing the ball in contact in the second.

RE: Pods at U16

Kallie — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:55:14 GMT

The pod system is a different name for the old sprinters and strollers of the expert Danie Craven of SA. I find it very effective as players get to know their job and get to read the situation in front of them., eg join ruck or not.At U-16 stick to 2 pods as 3 pods is not so easy to introduce.

RE: Pods at U16

DanC — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:58:08 GMT

I think for inexperienced players, the idea of where to run from the first phase is excellent. Gives them the idea that the job is not done - "keep in the game", "get two touches on the ball"...

RE: Pods at U16

d4zzler — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:54:19 GMT

Oh ok so you are looking at simple structures:

off scrum

Pod 1) Back row and Lock nearest the side to the direction of play compete at 1st breakdown
Pod 2) Lock and front row provide support/runners at depth for the next play/phase

Full Lineout (assuming that you have movement in the lineout you won't be able to define exactly who is in each pod)

Pod 1) Non-lifting/jumping pod, plus 7or2 to add support depending where you have thrown to - support/hit 1st phase
Pod 2) Lifting Pod, plus 2or7 - to support 2nd phase

I have some more structures if needed....

RE: Pods at U16

d4zzler — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:24:17 GMT

Didds - unfortunatly no... sorry

Have you a copy?

RE: Pods at U16

JBUS_rugby — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:55:23 GMT

My idea was to give the boys (who are pretty inexperienced) some sort of structure.For example, by telling front row payers not to rush to the first breakdown after a scrum, but get ready to support the second.

I wanted to take some of the decision making away from them to make things a bit easier for them to know where they should be after set pieces...

RE: Pods at U16

didds — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:54:12 GMT

[quote][b]d4zzler (31/07/2010)[/b]

Just my view....[/quote]

And an exceptionally good one I may add.

You must have read my article Dazzler ;-)

didds

RE: Pods at U16

d4zzler — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:46:38 GMT

Personally at this age, unless you are looking at represntative levels, I'd only look use formal pods off of certain set moves or plays (i.e. lineouts, scrums etc).

Generally players struggle to make the correct decisions or have the capacity to execute every skill needed, so after a certain period of time/phases they breakdown. The it has been known that a higher level of blame is laid at players if complicated systems fail - where actually it may well be the coaches fault due to making elaborate systems, and not understanding players/teams strengths and weaknesses.

If the players are good enough expirement, but allow them also to play what they see... all too often seen teams use pods and set the phases/stages for the next play when if they took half a chance they would have got in behind the opposition and who know what may have happened then....?

Just my view....

RE: Pods at U16

didds — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:06:38 GMT

I wrote about exactly this area in Rugby Coach Weekly issue 113, page 3.

In essence though pods will ONLY work if

●The players must all be fit enough to fulfil their pod duties.
Players who are unable to make the next breakdown
weaken their pod and impact on the other pod’s players.
● The players still need to be able to make good decisions,
like whether to join a breakdown or help out the other pod
in times of danger.
● Contact skills must be excellent. The reduced numbers in
each pod mean that each pod member must be able to
make a significant contribution to any breakdown.

If any of these areas breaks down or fails -or isn't in place initially - then the system WILL fail.

didds

Pods at U16

JBUS_rugby — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:16:45 GMT

Are pods useful at this age, or just an extra comlication thats more trouble than it's worth??