What are we Coaching….and why?
Recent newspaper reports are critical of the skill base of professional rugby players in Australia. There is no doubt that the players of today are fitter and stronger, but are they more skilful? One could suggest that the influx of computer games has taken junior players off sports field, away from physical activity, and into bedrooms to play the latest game.
If that is the case, what challenges are there for the coach of young players today? If we look at the long term player development pathway, there are a number of areas that are pre-requisite to skill learning. For example, the basics of agility, balance and co-ordination underpin all movement patterns. Players must be in control of their own body before they can learn intricate rugby plays. They must know where they are in space so that they can manoeuvre themselves into stable and balanced positions.
Coaches who coach the modified games of Walla, Mini or Midi should be focusing on player special awareness, fitness, balance, co-ordination and basic skills required to play the game. This will include catch-pass-support, contact skills with the ball, evasion skills, and when appropriate tackling skills. Too often coaches of these teams try to mimic professional rugby. Every session should be full of physical activity (that changes every 5-7 minutes), competition, learning and fun. Too often coaches are group managing and dealing with poor behaviour. Poor behaviour is a symptom of non-activity.
Coaches of junior teams (U13-U18) will progress through a number of game elements that need to be mastered. When a coach looks at what has to be practiced, and how little time they have then they have to be well planned so that learning time is maximized. The game elements will include – kick off, scrum, lineout, ruck, maul, backline play, general play attack, defence, tackling, kicking, evasion and support. The there are tactical issues, but these will not be addressed in this article.
For players to be competent in executing the elements within the game they must first of all have a sound base of balance, stability, agility and flexibility. A lack of core strength will only hinder their development and should the player move through to professional levels without these (compulsory) pre-requisites then they will be found wanting. In short, they will never reach their potential.
To produce the next generation of Wallaby players our coaches must concentrate on the physical competencies of their players first. Skills can be taught once the physical competencies are embedded into them. The elements of Rugby can be taught in a number of ways and ultimately players will have to make decisions on the field. Therefore, the order that a coach could pursue may look like the following:
a) Determination of coaching philosophy for their team, based on the players age and skill set.
b) Identification and development of physical competencies.
c) Development of technique of elements through massed training
d) Development of tactical awareness through games/competition.
What we coach and how we coach it should be supported by logic. If we are coaching as we were coached then we should ask the question, why? Time has moved on and society has changed. Every coaching session should have stated aims and goals, and it should be planned so that we challenge our players and they develop. How we get there is always up for debate, as there is no preferred way. What is important is that the players who move on are better players after you have coached them, more skilful players and better decision makers.
Australia does not have a large playing base when compared to some of our immediate competitors. What we must do is develop a “smart” playing population – players who can adapt to the conditions and opposition. This is made easier when players have developed their physical competencies and are able to use tactical nous to beat the opposition.
Warren Robilliard
Coach Education Manager
