Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops

TEXAS REVIVAL TOUR

MIKE and BOB’S TOUR DIARY.
Wednesday September 7th.
Bob and I flew from Sydney on the new Qantas route, direct to Dallas. As part of our Qantas sponsorship we gratefully flew Premium economy. The plane was full and the flight lasted over 15 hours!! Great food on the flight and we arrived on schedule.
We had coaching assignments in Dallas, Austin and Houston. Our Qantas banners fluttered proudly at all our venues.
Due to crossing the date line we arrived in Dallas almost the same time as we left Sydney, on the same day!!
On arrival we were met by Qantas executive Milton La Paz and a member of the Dallas Rugby Union club, Geoff Crawley. We collected our hire car, a huge Chrysler 300 sedan and set off to our hotel, Fairfield Inn, part of the Marriot group. Fortunately it had a pool!! The outside temperature had reached 95 F. The previous week it was 105F.
Day one is always meet and great and outlining the work to be covered. Our first session was on Thursday evening at Dallas RFC.
Wednesday night Bob and I had steak and an early night. One piece of advice you might find useful in Texas, is to remember Texas is a big state and so are the steaks!!
 
THURSDAY.
We planned our evening session and met more of the Dallas rugby club members. We were keen to impose our style and philosophy about playing the game, so the session centred on support play, continuity and no static play.
We planned the session before lunch having consulted the Dallas coaching staff. Over 50 players turned up for the session which pleased us, as the pre season was still 2 weeks away. We had the session written on a white board so players could study it on arrival.
Session.
  • Warm up. Lateral passing in 4s, then against a retreating defensive 4, followed by attacking the space when the defensive 4 interchanged position. This is a great warm up practice, and includes agility and fast footwork. ( see SAQ on BDRW website)
  • Support play. Groups of 6. 5 plus a support runner who must stay inside the ball as he tracks it across the back line. Last receiver passes it back inside or outside to the support runner. (Additional support runners can be added).
  • Tackle contest options. Groups of 5 working across the field. 3 options considered. a) Drive the ball carrier on, b) Rip the ball from ball carrier and run on, c) rip the ball and offload to a support runner.
  • Players were working really hard at this point.
  • Finally we linked the tackle contest options to the support play and produced some good quality continuous play.
As many clubs in America don’t have their own club houses, we dispersed to a local bar for drinks, burgers and rugby talk. The players had worked really hard and the hospitality was first class.
 
FRIDAY
It was important for us to spend the early morning planning the two day programme for Saturday and Sunday. Both were full days 9am to 5pm in blistering heat. Once completed we met Dallas official Chris Chefchis for lunch in downtown Dallas. On route we stopped at the site of John F Kennedy’s assassination. Almost “spooky” to be on the spot of one of history’s most dramatic events.
One thing you can do in Texas is eat well. We decided to avoid another burger and have fish at a very exclusive Oyster bar. We both had snapper lightly grilled…fantastic, and not expensive.
After lunch we visited the Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. A state of the art stadium, 30 minutes drive out of town. Quite simply the most stunning stadium I’ve ever seen, absolutely immaculate, with a capacity of up to 100,000 all seated. Various tours are available. Because of time constraints we had a self guided $ 17 ticket which allowed us on to the pitch and into the locker rooms.
Suspended from the roof is a 50 yard wide 4 sided TV screen, showing all the action live. It has to be seen to be believed! Have a look on www.CowboysStadiumTours.com
America has fantastic sports arenas. This is arguably the best! Evening meet and greet with more officials and players before heading off for a night’s sleep, if that’s what you can call jet lagged sleep?
 
SATURDAY
We begin our 2 full day programme, open for players and coaches from all parts of Dallas and Texas. Over 60 players and coaches turned up with a 50/50 split. Some coaches had flown in from St Louis and Little Rock, Arkansas.
Our plan was to work through our BDRW coaching manual. We had certain outcomes we hoped to achieve in the two days.
  • Have a better understanding of a different way to play the game.
  • Understand the benefits of not always going to ground.
  • Appreciate the importance of quality technique.
  • The value of support play, quick ball and realignment
SESSION
  • Catch and pass in 3s, straight running in 5s, clearing pass in 3s and taking the overlap in 5s against man on man defence using 3 defenders.
  • Break for drinks. ( very hot 90 F )
  • Dummy pass 4 v 1.
  • Straight running. 4 v 1 v 1 v 1 down a 15 meter channel.
  • Unders run 5 v 4
  • Circle/loop ball 5 v 4
  • LUNCH and break for drinks ( now seriously hot ).
  • Tackle contest options, ball into contact, drive, rip and run, rip and off load.
  • Continuous play and realignment.
  • All practices led to a game scenario finish.
  • End of a very satisfying day in high temperatures.
 
SUNDAY
With temperatures predicted to rise above 105F, we decided to work through until lunch and assess the situation then.
SESSION
  • Game related warm up which included 3 ways to attack around the corner, using the ½ back and forwards, ½ back and fly half and ½ back and inside centre. All with forwards in support.
  • Defence. We covered footwork and positioning the attacker. Tackle technique, combination tackling and cover defending. All actions focused on producing turn over ball through effective tackle technique.
  • Phase play defence. Who goes where, who runs where and why? In this part of the session the coaches were actively involved in discussing positioning off slow and quick ball. The temperature was now over 105F and we decided to finish the day with some less active instructional walk through practices. These were centered on ruck and counter ruck techniques. The heat was now unbearable.
The temperature at 1 pm had reached 105F.
We all decided that the best course of action would be to continue a theory session down at the pub and then watch Ireland v USA.
What a great way to end a very enjoyable two days of coaching. In the evening Bob and I found a nice little Italian joint for a meal and some Chianti, well earned I must say.
 
MONDAY
After a late breakfast we set off for Austin, some 200 miles south of Dallas. One of the great joys of being in America is driving on a 5 lane freeway in a big sedan car. It’s a bit like taking your lounge room for a drive, so comfortable.
Although hot, Dallas was hugely impressive. A very clean city with buildings to match.
The journey south was really cool, just cruising along. We stopped just past Waco for a sandwich and drink. (Do you remember The Waco Kid?) Good for us he was out of town!
Four hours later we arrive in Austin.
No respite in the heat. 104 F when we arrived at 3pm. Once again we stayed at a Fairfield Hotel and very quickly after check in, we’re in the pool!
Alan Sharpley, Austin Blacks Club President, picked us up at 7pm and we had dinner at Ironworks, a barbeque restaurant which cooked really tasty ribs. Lone Star was the bottled beer of choice. Various members of the Austin Blacks club popped in to say hello, including Austin All Blacks, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bill Taute.
 
TUESDAY
Bob and I deal with some BDRW website issues and then begin planning the evening session. Our time in Dallas generated some interest in Austin, so we anticipate an increase in playing numbers.
As we are holding 3 sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, we decide our theme of work should be….
 
Creating space and using it.
SESSION
  • Warm up. Passing, footwork and movement skills.
  • Tackle contest options. ( all players)
  • Split forwards and backs.
  • Backs, support play and re alignment.
  • Forwards. Tackle contest options and close support.
  • Continuous play. A fusion of the two previous practices. ( all players) + Defenders.
Post session, De brief for all inside the club house.
Did I say we anticipated substantial numbers? Well we had 94 on the field!!
The warm up was like an audition for dancing with the stars. Great fun!
Working with large groups is challenging and you have to insist on certain protocols for the session. Tiring the group out in the warm up is one way of ensuring some listening takes place.
The session lasted for over 90 minutes and we got a lot from the players. However, much work needs to be done on basic techniques. Incidentally the women’s team who also took part, the Valkeries, coached by Wendy Young, were very competent and quick learners.
 
WEDNESDAY
What a special day. We were given a guided tour of Austin in a 1935 Rolls Royce owned by Chris Brugge, an exiled English businessman, attached to both the Austin Blacks and Austin Huns rugby clubs. Austin has a very fashionable bar and restaurant area called sixth street. We drew some attention when we drove down 6th street.
The State parliament is in Austin and it is a very impressive building. Well worth visiting.
After lunch with Chris we finalised our coaching session for the evening.
SESSION
  • Warm up to include revision of Tuesdays work.
  • Catch- pass in 4s.
  • Clearing pass in 5s.
  • 5 v 3 man on man defence. Taking the overlap.
  • Dummy pass 5 v 1
  • 4 v 1 v 1 v 1 attack.
The players worked quickly and efficiently through all sections and then we split the group into forwards and backs.
Forwards.
  • The walking maul. Constructing a driving maul.
  • Attacking from the driving maul.
  • Clearing out if forced to ground.
  • Clearing out under pressure and close support.
Backs.
  • Support play and re alignment
  • Clear out when forced into contact
Continuous Play
  • 5 forwards, 7 backs and 5 defenders with shields.
  • Support play from a scrum.
  • All forwards following the ball.
  • Narrow driving and support going forward.
  • Defenders with shields offering contact and staying on side.
  • Ball released to backs, and forwards chase the ball again.
  • Full length of the pitch used.
In the clubhouse afterwards we showed video clips of aspects of play relating to the work we had done.
Another very satisfying evening’s work. The players (80 +) are working really hard in tough temperatures. The coaches are running on high octane adrenalin, so no problems there!
Our evening work was lengthy so it was room service back at the hotel.
 
THURSDAY
Early morning swim in the hotel pool. Coaching in dry dusty hot conditions takes its toll so it’s good to relax and look after the body, especially the feet!! This is our last session with the players and we are keen to fuse Tuesday and Wednesdays work together and concentrate more on game scenarios.
SESSION
  • We decide to split into backs and forwards and do the respective warm ups with each.
  • Forwards did a close ¼ contact and offload warm up.
  • Backs did accurate passing skills and support.
  • Forwards went on to do progressive tackle contest work, with the ball being kept off the ground and support around the outside.
  • Backs looked at attack from set piece and individual roles.
  • Finally we all came together for attack from set pieces and continuity against defenders with shields.
There are moments in coaching which you cannot plan for. Injuries, late arrivals, bad weather, etc
HOWEVER. In all my years of coaching I have never had to stop a session because of the arrival of an ARMADILLO!!
During the forwards session he suddenly ran out of the bushes onto the pitch! He was like a miniature decommissioned tank chugging around in the in goal area. Now, I’m not the world’s leading authority on the behavioural habits of Armadillo’s. My concern was that if he had escaped from the local zoo, who had escaped with him?
After much hilarity and reassurance from the players, I watched as he returned to the nearby woods. Just as well as he hadn’t got his kit with him!! The evening ended with some presentations in the clubhouse.We gave full membership of our site to Allison Lee and Keith Handley, two worthy recipients. Bob and I received a certificate and a Texas flag, which was flown at the Capitol of the Sovereign State of Texas. Quite an amazing gift from a very proud group of Texans. Dinner took place downtown. Thursday was all you can eat for $12 night. Needless to say the guys ripped in to some enormous plate full’s, and then more!!
 
FRIDAY
We leave Austin and set off on a 4 hour drive to Houston. On route we pass burnt out houses and cars from the recent wild fires, which had swept through parts of the state. Very sad to see such desolation.
HOUSTON
One of the top 5 populated cities in America. Fortunately our hotel was on the North entry side to Houston, so we didn’t have to cross the city.
We checked in and we’re picked up and driven down town for a meet and greet with Houston rugby officials. Dave McPhail was our host and his selection of a British Pub for food and drinks was spot on. Fish and chips the order of the day. Boddingtons the pint of the day.
Our venue for Saturdays work was at the very picturesque Woodlands rugby club and only 2 miles from our hotel. Our second weekend programme partly mirrored our first. We were a little more aware of skill levels.
SESSION
  • Catch and pass in 3s, straight running in 5s, clearing pass in 3s and taking the overlap in 5s against man on man defence using 3 defenders..
  • Break for drinks. ( very hot 90 F )
  • Dummy pass 4 v 1.
  • Straight running. 4 v 1 v 1 v 1 down a 15 meter channel.
  • Unders run 5 v 4
  • Circle/loop ball 5 v 4
  • LUNCH and break for drinks ( now seriously hot )
  • Tackle contest options, ball into contact, drive, rip and run, rip and off load.
  • Continuous play and realignment.
  • All practices led to a game scenario finish.
  • End of a very satisfying day in high temperatures.
The split for this group was about 50/50 coaches and players and the coaches were a very enthusiastic group. Because of the split we were able to have discussions with the coaches as the players rested.
 
SATURDAY
We had dinner at a restaurant close to an inland waterway, some 20 ks outside Houston, in the Woodlands area, and watched Wales’s v Samoa via the internet, linked to the hotel TV. Coverage of the RWC has been poor on American TV and RWC TV packages have been expensive. This is sad as the Rugby enthusiasts deserve better, BUT NFL football is huge and dominates the TV screens.
 
SUNDAY
Session
  • Game related warm up which included 3 ways to attack around the corner, using the ½ back and forwards, ½ back and fly half and ½ back and inside centre. All with forwards in support.
  • We looked in more detail at 5 v 3 attacks with 3 supporting forwards.
  • Defence. We covered footwork and positioning the attacker. Tackle technique, combination tackling and cover defending. All actions focused on producing turn over ball through effective tackle technique.
  • Phase play defence. Who goes where, who runs where and why? In this part of the session the coaches were actively involved in discussing positioning off slow and quick ball.
  • We introduced 2 conditioned games. Our numbers had grown with the arrival of some high school players.
  • 1st receiver game and combination game featuring the scrum half and fly half.
In conclusion we discussed our outcomes for the 2 days with the coaches and players and then sat for an hour drinking beer and relaxing with the coaches. You meet terrific people on these coaching consultancies, and it’s good to talk.
I said in an earlier comment to the coaches, “always set out to enjoy every session you take”. You never know where rugby will take you?
The Texas Coaching Revival has been a huge success. We have generated considerable interest and had good attendance at all our venues. There is no substitute in life for enthusiasm and everywhere we went we were met with this in abundance. Texas is a very proud state and Texans very proud people. They have the potential to become the leading rugby playing state in America.
Our hosts now have to consider how we can develop this momentum and improve the quality of rugby played throughout Texas.
At all the venues we sold the BDRW coaching manual and this will be the rugby curriculum for many coaches in Texas. Continued application of the manuals key principles will go a long way to improving the quality of rugby being played in Texas.
We are keen to help through our website www.bobdwyerrugby.com
Our thanks are extended to many people.
In particular our sponsors Qantas. Smooth flight and great in flight service. ( Qantas executive in Texas, Milton De La Paz, big thanks)
Fairfield Hotels. Top service and consistent at our 3 venues AND thanks for having a pool!!
Mitre. (Australia, New Zealand) for once again sponsoring the coaches clothing).
Club officials.
Alan Sharpley, Ron Watson, Geoff Crawley, Dave McPhail, Bill Taute, Chris Brugge, Doug Corrigan, Chris Chefkis, Rhys Ball, Lachlan Ferguson.
( I hope I’ve not left anyone out).
For those young players around the world who would like to broaden their rugby experience then Texas is a great option. Sincere passionate people with heaps of enthusiasm.
 
Y’all come back
Mike /Bob
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