The development of basic rugby skills is paramount to the overall ability of a player because these can make the difference between being mediocre and being great. There are a tonne of documents and videos addressing rugby skills; some are great, some not so much. How can we determine how to teach a rugby skill and how can we measure it? Put simply, I just finished coaching a 3-day rugby skills camp with Under 10′s to U15′s players. Some of whom had some exposure to our great game and others who had never even held a rugby ball before let alone watch a game of rugby. Needless to say, their understanding of the Laws came into question (which meant constantly educating them on these) but also simple motor function skills, hand-eye coordination and ability to grasp new rugby skills meant we needed to demonstrate patience. In this article, we are going to look at how to coach basic rugby skills to a new player or another who needs more fundamental development.
4. Recap, reinforcement and questions
Ask the playing group whether they understand the rugby skill and the learning outcomes. I like to single out random players and ask them questions relating directly to what we have just covered. For example: a) “Hugo, why is a sidestep useful?” b) “Flynn, when is a good time to use a sidestep?” c) “Chris, what are we trying to do to a defender?” d) “Harry, what should our running stride do when preparing to sidestep?” e) “Junior, where should we be holding the ball?” f) “Sam, is this how I should hold the ball?” Then once we have recapped and reinforced the learning outcomes, ask whether there are any questions relating to the exercise or the rugby skill? Answer in turn then move players into the learning area.
5. Progression and/or Games for reinforcement
Once we have literally built a rugby skill from scratch, the players understand it’s use and purpose and we have practised said skill, introduce a Progression or related game. What is a progression? In its most simple form it is progressing a rugby skill by introducing an advancement to the learning area. For example and using the same sidestep scenario from earlier: Once we have practised sidestepping left at a blue cone and right at a red cone or through some poles, and the players are comfortable with this, we can advance it. What this could mean is removing the cones and introducing a defender into the learning area. Perhaps re-arrange the grid, place one or two defenders at separate tiers and ask the players to try and step a real life defender now, instead of a cones. Continue the positive reinforcement and give constant feedback to a player as they progress.
Conclusion:
While some may overlook the introduction and development of basic rugby skills, these are very important for a player looking to improve. All too often we either run out of time or focus on team patterns etc, but this is just as, if not more important. It will take some time to understand how to coach individual and group rugby skills, but if done properly, your team patterns and general play will be that much more effective and accurate. Hopefully this article will aid you in implementing rugby skill sessions. This 5 step process to building a new rugby skill should aid in your ability to coach them. It’s all well and good to teach someone to sidestep a cone and then progress to a real-life defender, but try not to let them have too much freedom when progressing. Asking them questions about their performance because this helps them identify where they are going well and where they need to improve. Above all else, questioning and recap reinforces the learnings and the outcomes.
If you’re in need of any new skills to teach your players, simply visit our Video Library here -
http://globalrugby.com.au/academy/#skillvideos