Coaching Manual

INTRODUCTION.

The structure of the manual is based on my belief that all quality play in rugby derives from quality execution of quality technique.

Insistence on quality technique, executed under the pressure of game-related practice sessions, is therefore essential if we are to achieve our goal of successful performance. This manual will give you the direction to enable you to achieve this.

An American Football coach once said, "You can't win without good players, but you can sure lose with them. This is where the good coach comes in!"

I believe that a good coach is one who has the enthusiasm, the determination and the courage to insist on quality execution of quality technique at all times. It's a Bob Dwyer quote which says, "Practice doesn't make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect." It will require all of these qualities, all of the time, to achieve perfection. Don't let your players down!

Each Practice in the manual - there are seventy-seven (77) of them - lists the Key Principles of quality technique which are essential for quality execution. These lists must become an intrinsic part of every coach's work. My advice is that you must never allow faulty technique to go uncorrected at any practice session. This will require vigilance!

As you progress through the manual, constant reference back to the ESSENTIAL LEVEL section will be required. I recommend that you design warm-up sessions which contain groupings of all of the basic elements of the game. These basic elements are the tools of trade which every player needs - properly sharpened and ready for use. Adherence to this philosophy will prove most rewarding.

Quality preparation for the game of rugby requires a number of separate elements. The most important is quality, game-related rugby practice and I am confident that this web-site will provide that. Other elements are physical preparation - fitness, strength and speed-agility-quickness (SAQ) - and mental preparation.

Detailed information can be found in LINKS - for SAQ, - and in COACHING SUPPORT/PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS - for mental preparation.

HOW TO USE THE MANUAL.

From beginning to end, the Coaching Manual is 'the perfect working rugby curriculum'. 

As is normal with a curriculum, it should be followed in sequence - as it is presented.

Later Sessions will require the knowledge and expert application of earlier sessions. Indeed, consistent revision of the 'essential basics' should form a part of every Practice. 

The Manual is divided into three (3) Sections:
Section 1. ESSENTIAL LEVEL
Section 2. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Section 3. ADVANCED LEVEL

Each Section is divided into the following sub-sections:
ATTACK - GENERAL
ATTACK - FROM SET PIECES
ATTACK - COUNTER-ATTACK
DEFENCE
KICKING

Each Section contains a number of Sessions, each of which is designed to last about 90 minutes - the length of the average coaching session.

Each Session contains a number of Practices.

Each Practice is designed to develop individual technique leading to skill application and culminating in a game-related scenario which requires the application of all the practices in this session.

For example, Session 1 begins with Practice 1: Catch and Pass, and continues through Practices 2: Straight Running and 3: Clearing Pass. This Session culminates in Practice 4: Taking the Overlap which requires the game application of Practices 1, 2 and 3 combined.

It is very important that the session ends with the game application of the acquired techniques. This gives meaning to each of the skills and their place in the 'real game'. It will give satisfaction to the players  - and do wonders for the coach's standing!

"When I analyse a game, whether it be junior, senior or international, I feel that I can attribute all so-called errors, or poor choices of option, to flaws in technique. I can see poor passing technique, poor catching technique, poor lines of support, poor re-alignment, poor tackle technique, poor kicking technique, poor communication, poor visual awareness, poor kick return, poor kick chase - these can also lead to poor discipline".

The application of our philosophy - "practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect" - will ensure that you place great emphasis on technical competence - that is, performing the techniques and skills of the game perfectly at all your coaching sessions.

Uncorrected poor technique will undoubtedly limit the development of your team and the level of your team's performance.

This will eventually frustrate both you the coach, the players and your supporters!