Focus on each key factor at a time
Observe action several times from different positions
Compare observation with correct template to find matches and mismatches
Decide on your action: Build on strengths, correct error or do nothing to see if any issues can be self corrected
The coaching course is designed to assist coaches to be better at coaching and does not focus on increasing rugby knowledge
There will be several opportunities to coach and receive feedback from the session review
Every review is an opportunity for the coach to learn. Even when participating as a player for someone else, the coach should be considering the process and how it affects their performance and understanding of the task
Positive and honest feedback within the coaching group is a valuable method in which to help each other become better coaches
The coaching process is based on:
Instruction and explanation
Demonstration
Observation and feedback
Listening
Summary
The approach and style of coaching is changing and this clip provides some indicators of how some of our academy coaches have altered how they teach players
There is clearly a handling error in the midfield, but from where might this orignate?
There are significant changes in the approach to "How best to coach" with regards your coaching style and delivery skills. Here are some examples from some of the Premierships top coaches
This clip reveals a startling lack of understanding from some pro players. Quins scrum half Danny Care has also identified a weakness which he exploits, rugby is not just about grunt!
What is the role of the coach. In this clip some of the top 7's coaches give some thoughts on what they do and how they see themselves in the make up of the modern 7's squad
Do you understand the significance of 'Rapport" and how this can influence how good a coach you are. Elite coaches, experts and pundits provide a clear view of how important this is
Mike Ford changed his coaching style, it's a brave thing to admit you were not coaching the right way. How do you coach?
The challenge of using games to coach contact is a tricky one for many coaches. This clip shows the Leeds carnegie academy coach explaining how to integrate games into his coaching and the different styles of delivery
How to coach - The coach uses questioning as his main coaching style. The players identify the technical points with the coach providing prompts and reinforcement
Using games to coach can be a challenge for junior coaches. In this clip the Sale sharks community coach delivers a session to develop contact skills at the breakdown by using games, questioning and challenging the players. This can be used for all Junior age groups
Where will coaching be in five years time, being able to adapt and change is a key skill for all modern coaches
The coach uses a combination of drills & games to deliver a session on making decisions at the breakdown. There are some technical points and observations on the coach using classic "Tell & Yell" instructions
This video provides some detailed coaching points that the Saracens community coaches would recommend age groups coaches focus on in their sessions
Valuable coaching insights into developing your own coaching style, confirming player understanding and learning from experience
This clip explains how to create coaching plans and share them with other people
Sir Ian Mcgeechan gives his thoughts on a coaches ambitions and how coaches can achieve success
This clip provides a summary of how coaches at Oaklands college - Saracens academy partners - approach training and provide some examples of both "What to coach" and "How to coach"
Academy coaches use conditioned games with strict rules around the tackle / touch activity to teach the skills required for contact and clearing defenders away. Questioning is used as the main style of coaching
Coaching the correct head position for tackling is one of the most important skills for a coach, this clip shows a few examples that can be used with progressions
Elite coaches outline the key fundamentals that they look for in young players and what club coaches could potentially focus on
Every 4 years the UK talks about changing the way we coach to develop players for the long term. It never happens however here are some insights into why you might want to change that
Psychology expert John Neal discusses how important it is for a coach to ask effective questions.
Performance psychologist John Neal explores the importance of curiosity for effective coaching.
The England coach talks about why a philosophy is important and what his views are
Conor O Shea - Harlequins DoR talks about the benefits and satisfaction of starting to coach
British Lions Analyst Andy Keast provides some tips on how to use match footage to gain a coaching edge. In this clip we look at line out possession
Academy coach provides some insight into some ideas on community coaches and parents of players
How to coach - Tigers coach Tosh Askew outlines some fundamental principles such as being positive and including all of your players in all of your activities.
Premiership Rugby coaches talk about the signs they look for in assessing a team or unit and translating this into practical coaching points and plans. Log in to see more.
The coaches use a variety of conditions for both the attackers and defenders to reinforce the coaching points. Small sided games enable players to learn in a live environment similar to actual match conditions
London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith, on why coaching is about being a great communicator.
Conor O Shea gives his thoughts on what makes an effective rugby coach
Saracens' Paul Gustard gives some words of wisdom to new coaches.
Harlequins coaches talk through their coaching philosophy and what it means to their players
Coaches often request ideas to help them plan sessions. Here are some examples of the conditions that coaches can apply to make training more challenging and enjoyable
Coaching tackle technique never stops. As players get older, the challenges become more complex and coaches need to provide more detail to improve the finer skill sets. This video provides some expert tips that may help you improve tackle technique and the first phase of the ruck / breakdown.
We have plenty of coaching examples and ideas from the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership Champions, Northampton Saints. Log in to see more senior, academy and youth coaching.
Were the Lions coaches ahead of the game. The 1997 coaches discuss tackle techniques that are only being implemented now
Coaching defence starts with some warm up games and progresses to specific skills and the coach then builds upon these basics. A system of defence is then introduced and practised in a conditioned game
Dean Ryan talks through some of the main motivations for becoming a rugby coach.
Elite coaches use conditioned games to teach the basic skills and change the conditions for progressions and increase the intensity
No coach knows it all. Even the top professionals go out and look for inspiration and advice from their peers, and from other sports.
Sir Ian discusses the benefits of getting involved in coaching and the main responsibilities
Saracens and South Africa scrum-half Neil de Kock highlights rapport as the key to being a good coach.
This clip outlines some of the fundamental techniques required to become a good passer of the ball from the ground, an essential skill for scrum half's. Simple and easy instructions for both coaches and players to benefit from
A touch game conditioned to develop the drift defence. Worcester Warriors Community Coach Tamara Taylor explains the objectives of the conditions, gives feedback and adjusts them when necessary.
Head coach Dickon Edwards talks through the theory behind their approach to contact and why that approach is important in understanding how you want to play
Very clever yet simple use of "Silence" in coaching players. This clip shows how you can draw knowledge from players and engage them in creating skills games
Paul Hull explains that sometimes former players can make great coaches, but they need to combine their technical knowledge and experience with the right communication skills.
Paul Hull describes the key elements of his coaching philosophy: - Find different ways of getting the best out of individuals - Find the best way of getting the message across - Keep things fun
Psychologist John Neal highlights the importance of listening intently to coach more effectively.
Sir Ian McGeechan on the role of a coach
Follow these steps to create and share a coaching plan.
What you need to know to coach the switch
Paul Gustards 'top tip' for coaches, new and old.
Sevens expert Russell Earnshaw talks through his coaching philosophy and approach to drills, exercises and games
Ex England Sevens coach Russell Earnshaw talks through the importance of depth and keeping "Connected". He uses a simple exercise to work on various techniques and makes it competitive to keep the intensity high
The introduction of the scrum for both mini players and coaches can be confusing. This clip explains the the reasoning behind the 3 man scrum and the technical points that ned to be taught
The ability to move from 1 to 1 tackling exercises into unit & group skills can be tricky. Here are some tips that you could use
How much say do your players have in how you train and prepare? Premiership Rugby stars share their experiences.
Women's - Clips of coaches
An brief summary of coaching the new scrum engage sequence. Always include a good upper body warm up and highlight the importance of a strong core with your players. Check the 'Body Position and Technique' section for full videos including hooking technique.
What is it that elite coaches look for in players
Conor O Shea - explores why coaches should never stop learning
What are the key coaching points
Performance Analysis - Scrum 8 use
Notice how these players do not naturally set up rucks. Both teams try to keep the ball away from breakdown situations.
What would these games look like if the coaches stepped in and insisted on rucking?
The battle for the breakdown can decide matches. There are many elements that make up a solid breakdown, including ball presentation, speed of support and effective rucking technique. Log in to RugbyCoachingDrills to see video tutorials from top coaches and players.
Saracens academy coach Rory Teague explains the basic principles of the spin pass including the exercises and progressions that can be used to help players improve their techniques and accuracy
Total Control Under Pressure - When teams performances unfold late on in matches and players seem to struggle to make the right decisions its usually to do with fatigue and pressure. How can coaches help players to improve in this area
The Wasps academy manager uses games as the central learning principe for coaching defence and the systems he wants to introduce to his players
Richard Wigglesworth highlights an ability to interact with players as the trademark of a good coach.
Making sure that defenders put their head on the correct side is the most important aspect of tackling, coaches can improve confidence by using contact shields and surprise tactics to help train players improve their technique
Former British & Irish Lions Jason Robinson, Gavin Hastings and former Wales international Jonathan Davies commenting on the appointment of Warren Gatland as Head Coach of the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia.
Basic principles for the coach to focus on
A brief overview of the importance of strong defensive structure and some basic exercises to build it.
Use equipment or players to force players to take smaller steps prior to the tackle, as attackers get better at late movement defenders need to practise in more demanding positions
To develop and progress the loop pass
To develop the Miss Pass
To review handling Key factors
To be a dominant tackler you need to practise the core skills regularly. The tackle has many factors to it and here are some tips from New Zealand
Where do you get your inspiration from to add new things into your game and why change is good
Some of the latest ideas around tackle technique and what defenders are trying to achieve. This session provides the technical progressions needed to teach the choke / catch tackle
As possession is king, gaining possession from a kick off is vital for effective 7s. Especially considering that the team that scores takes the kick off.
Looking at fundamental breakdown skills to manage the contact area. Log in to see the full session
An example of a basic 1v1 exercise to practice the leg tackle.
Key Factors are the building blocks to a technique
Use questions to assess the understanding of the players
Focus on just 1 - 2 key factors at a time
Use demonstration again to highlight any key points
Remember a technique can only become a skill, if it can be performed to the same level when under pressure
Plan what to say before you speak and stand where all can see and hear
Gain their attention before you start
Keep the message simple
Invite questions and check for understanding
Ask questions to generate self-feedback
Limit information to 1 – 2 key points
Give specific and simple information
Keep feedback positive
In Defence:
Stay alert, keep on toes, specific communication, react, work hard
Defend what is happening – not what you think is going to happen
Trust the defence system, trust your team mates – trust yourself
The objective for the kicking team is to back their defence and force a turnover ball
Also utilised the long kick if you do not have an accurate and consistent kicker
If you are the receiving team, have four players up near the 10m line
Sir Ian provides an insight into the famous British Lions tour in 1997 and how important it is to have a clear philosophy. This ground breaking tour still has fundamentals that apply today