Coach The Coaches at Medway RFC

Read more from Dave Larham about our coach education visit to Kent

On Wednesday 4th November Community Rugby Manager Dave Larham and Community Rugby Coach Dai Fussell were the guest presenters at the Medway RFC Coach The Coaches Evening. The session was organised by Stuart Clark and Mark Marriott to give 30 coaches from Medway RFC an opportunity to develop new ideas and understanding from two experienced coach educators; working with 20 players from the Medway RFC Development Group (U17s & U18s) on rucking and attacking options.

Warren Fury passes during a London Wasps training session

Fast feet and hand-off (warm-up)

Ground work (warm-up)

Ball presentation (warm-up)

Running from depth and changing running line to beat defenders

Turnover technique; focusing on a low body position to contest for possession post-tackle

Clear-out technique

Tackle technique; focusing on using the shoulder instead of hands

Ball presentation; focusing on the ‘jack-knife’ position and ground work

Decision-making from the breakdown; focusing on playing outside of the second defender

Games for understanding; using a narrow pitch to emphasise the need to retain possession

Games for understanding; using a wide pitch to emphasise the need to identify and attack space

Coaching Points for Rucking:

1.Drive beyond the ball:

When a player hits a ruck, they should aim to drive beyond the ball. They should be on their feet, moving forward two or three metres beyond the ball; preventing the danger of too many bodies over the ball. Too often players rest on the ruck or just lean over, adding to the traffic, legs and feet getting the way of the scrum half trying to pass the ball.
2.Inside foot over the ball:
Players arriving should put their inside foot over the ball. This promotes:

Driving through and out, so clearing players more effectively

Stronger body position through the centre of the ruck

Less chance of feet hitting the ball
3.Spine in line:

The spine needs to be in line with the direction of the play to gain maximum power through the contact area.
4.Driving position:

Players' shoulders and hips should be lower than their shoulders, and the hips of the players in front of them. If players can touch their finger tips on the ground just before the contact, it will promote a body position that has the hips lower than the shoulders therefore allowing the major muscle groups in the legs to add to the drive.
5.Leave the ball alone

If players look to pick and drive, or even try to secure the ball by picking it up, then the momentum of the drive is lost and it just slows the quality of the ball. Picking up the ball can lead to players being unbalanced and knock-on the ball. Players need to be coached decision-making at the breakdown; when to clear out, when to pick and drive, when to secure the ball.

Key Words for Rucking:

Safety + Low + Bind + Drive

Common Errors:

Players joining from the side

Poor placement by the ball carrier

Poor position of the ball carrier on the ground

Players arriving too late

Support players not understanding options

Players falling over because of unstable leg and feet positions and not binding with teammates

Players diving in to the ruck

Players attempting to pick up the ball while it is still in the ruck

After the session, Dave Larham told wasps.co.uk, "I would like to thank Medway RFC for the opportunity to guest present at their Coach Education event. We were given a group of talented players that worked very hard on all the practices we provided and demonstrated massive improvements throughout the 90-minutes; both in terms of the skill acquisition and their understanding."

Stuart Clark from Medway RFC was full of praise after the session, "I want to say thanks on behalf of the club for both of you taking the time out to come to Medway RFC last night. Attendance was good and feedback post the training was very positive."

London Wasps training session action

Our next Coach The Coaches sessions will be:

23rd November at Maidenhead RFC
7.30pm to 9pm

Turnover technique

Slow ball & quick ball options

Running lines in attack from the turnover

7th December at Tring RUFC
7.30pm to 9pm

Scrum

Rucking

Sessions are aimed at Tag Rugby, Level 1 & Level 2 coaches and school teachers who want to gain ideas and game understanding to help promote an improved level of rugby delivery to their young players. The sessions are hosted by our Community Partner Rugby Clubs and delivered by experienced Coach Educators from within our Community Team; with an open invitation extended to local school teachers and neighbouring rugby club coaches. This is an ideal opportunity for coaches and teachers to exchange ideas, network and establish new partnerships. The session format will be for our host club to provide players for our Coach Educators to coach during practical sessions, while we provide ongoing dialogue with the observing coaches and teachers on the processes being used and answer questions throughout.

For more details about our Coach The Coaches Program please contact Dave Larham or telephone 01494 531122

www.wasps.co.uk

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