Get them involved in linking/supporting into/with 'backs', if you become your sessions become to focused upon units - the 'forwards' will only do what they have been conditioned to do, when something breaks down in the structure of your game play no-one will be able to react. As an example rucking is for everyone - not just forwards, also forwards need to be able indentify 2or3 v 1 situations and execute drawing a player and passing!!

I'm not saying that forwards and backs shouldn't spend time on some unit practices, but where ever possible play small sided conditioned games, give all the players (forwards and backs) different game related problems to solve.

By taking players out of their comfort zone you will be able to challange individuals (in a situation) and then target things which go well and engage the players when addressing how to improve things.

Player and game centred coaching ultimately leads to players understanding how to adapt and fix certain situtations during the game.

Darren

It kind of seems like you have a checklist of what to do. Firstly, forwards do have to split from the backs because if you don't get the first phase skills right, you don't get/keep any ball! Yes, everyone has to ruck too, but 70%+ is done by the forwards, so they need to do it more! (Don't forget the maul from line-out and open play.)

My advice to you is technique, technique, technique! Explain it, discuss it, then practice it. Once understood do it in conditioned, modified games, but have a referee, referee it. Stop regularly to explain and assess situations/decisions. Take the time to do this right and don't fall in to the trap of letting things go in practice that will get you penalised in a game, or using it as aggressive fitness training. That's all great, but this is the bread and butter of the game and intelligent technique will counter stupid-brawn!

And as ever..... get them mobile and fit!

Good luck

Mark Calverley

Not as a technical skill but as team play. Try 8 v. 8 in a restricted space where the attacking team has to find the gaps, penetrate and off-load in contact (wrap-pass) to support coming thru the gap or create outside space and turn the corner.

Start with a passive defense (not full tackle) with a scrum half added to the attacking team. The attacking team retains possession even in turn-overs and has two minutes to score as many trys as poss. Teams switch ends on a try.

Move to full tackle once the players get the concept and then focus on the defense coming off the ball and making the tackle behind the gain line.

This game will test the critical skills (ball handling & support under pressure, also tackling) and will be a platform for training players to 'read & reorganize'.

If your players don't have the basic skill set (as many US U-19s won't) then revert to skill drills.

Whilst all posted reply's are must practises, Check out a book total rugby & think rugby they were a inspiration to me coaching at that level

and in the words of Ian Mcgeechan,British Lions " i didn't feel I'd started coaching properly until I'read Jim Greenwood, and I concur

Please find the info for the book ISBN 0-7136-4545-8 for Total rugby you should find out the info for think rugby as I have loaned this book out to another coach at present, from this you should be able use your inspiration for forward training.

Good Luck

Barking Rugby Club
Club Coach Co-0rdinator

I coach youth rugby and in open play my guys know what to do even if I do get a fe w who stutter first rather than simply join a ruck or maul.

Good luck.

Paul

Guildford U14s 2010/11