How to build a rugby skill
1. Explain why we need basic skills
Too often a player will question a coach as to why exactly they need to learn a new rugby skill. Whether it’s body position going into contact, head positioning in the tackle or a simple swerve and side-step, players must now constantly be learning for improvement, but also safety above all else. I had a 13 year old Winger approach me and say because he stands out wide, he doesn’t need to learn breakdown technique. You can imagine my response. I quietly took him to the side and answered his question in a very direct yet approachable manner. I asked him: “What if the ball comes to your side, your teammate gets tackled in front of you, and you’re the closest teammate there. What would you do?” He quickly answered: “I would help him.” Exactly right, so in order to help him, we need to learn how to effectively and safely. By taking those two minutes aside with this player, he understood exactly why it’s important we teach him this particular skill.
2. Set up the learning area and mentally engage players
You will require plenty of colourful coaching equipment that could include cones, poles, hit shields and perhaps bibs. What can be useful is attributing a certain reaction in relation to the colour of that piece of equipment. For example, if a player sees two yellow poles in front of them, they must swerve through or a red cone could mean they must side step. Having a well set-up learning area allows you, the Coach, to control the scenario, move easily between areas and offer constructive criticism and feedback. Players react positively when they know the boundaries of the exercise and the key learning outcomes. Player engagement is a huge learning factor. If players aren’t mentally switched on throughout an Explanation, then when it comes to the Demonstration they might have no idea. What I tend to do is frequently ask a player to repeat what I explained. If it’s not accurate we simply ask them to do 5x pushups. A very small but effective “punishment” in the softest sense of the word.
3. Demonstration
Having explained why we need a particular rugby skill, set up the learning area and explained the scenario to a mentally-engaged crowd; give a demonstration of exactly how and why the skill works. For example, here’s how we would teach a side step: a) Explain when and why a sidestep is useful. The sidestep can be used to wrong foot a defender, draw a defender, beat a defender or any other use you might have. b) How to do it. Hold the ball in two hands and look to move the defender’s shoulders and hips one way and/or plant his feet, then rapidly change direction. We can achieve this by using short steps, diverting our eyes, keeping our feet underneath us and promoting our body one way before sharply stepping off an outside foot to change direction. c) Give a demonstration. In the learning area, have your cones or poles set up so we can practise side stepping through them. Arrange the players around this area and give a 50% (speed) demonstration, then at 80-90% (speed) to show how to do it at pace. If there’s someone who is confident at this rugby skill, give them the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to the group.