Coaching & Officiating E-News: June 06
Welcome to the latest of Coaching & Officiating E-News.
We hope the newsletter continues to provide you with information you'll find useful in your role as a Rugby coach or referee, as well as keeps you up-to-date with general Australian Rugby news.
As with previous issues, don't forget to send us your feedback on articles or make suggestions for future articles.
We hope the season's going well.
COACHING NEWS
Long Term Player Development
The ARU is embarking on a modern system of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) in an effort to assemble the best player development ideas for parents, teachers and coaches. By reviewing our current methods in light of the most up-to-date research and practice in athlete development we intend to create resources and systems that assist all concerned in developing the sport across the nation.In a nation of only 20 million people it is vital that we get LTPD right, particularly as we compete with other codes for the same young people. The plan encompasses both physical and technical development for the training stages which each player should pass through on the way to achieving their optimal performance.
The strategy sees a coordinated approach from the ARU Community Rugby and Elite Player Development departments and is unique in Australian sport.
The rationale for the plan is outlined in an article by Kelvin Giles (ARU Elite Player Development Strength and Conditioning coordinator) and can be viewed by clicking here.
SmartRugby
The annual SmartRugby rollout is almost complete with over 8,000 coaches and match officials around the nation receiving their qualification this season. State and Territory Unions have conducted approximately 250 courses since January providing all in clubs and schoolsRugbywith best practice principles for the contact elements of the game.
A heartfelt thank you to all the participants who gave up another morning, afternoon or evening in a busy season schedule.Having attended SmartRugby and implemented the recommendedpracticesto your players, you are now better equipped to meet your duty of care. In saying this, please remember that this is not an area in which we can ever become complacent. The technical program should be revisited frequently during practice sessions to continually provide for the wellbeing of your players.
At the completion of the course you will have received a take home booklet and CD. The booklet focuses on safety considerations and does not pretend to contain a comprehensive technical treatment of the topics. The CD contains specific drills and exercises that you can use to improve the skills of your players. These are both resources that should be used in conjunction with other coaching resources to assist you in preparing well organised training sessions.
Once registered in the ARU online registration/administration system, you will have received a MyRugby Card in the mail. This includes your personal MyRugby number, details of your SmartRugby qualification (valid for two years) and any other current coach and match official accreditations that you may have. You can update your contact details, if they change, using this personal number at www.rugby.com.au to ensure that you continue to receive current information aboutRugbyfrom the ARU. (If you did not receive your My Rugby Card, booklet and/or CD, contact your State or Territory Union to confirm mailing details).
As you are aware, SmartRugby is the compulsory minimum requirement for every coach and match official participating inRugbywhere there is a tackling component. For 2007, SmartRugby will be offered on-line to all those requiring re-qualification. Those requiring re-qualification are coaches and match officials who attended the face-to-face course in 2005 and whose SmartRugby expiry date is31/12/2006.
The on-line course will take 45 minutes to navigate and at its completion participants will receive re-qualification for a further two years. Further re-qualification two years down the track will require attendance at a face-to-face course, once again conducted by your State or Territory Union. If you are unsure of your expiry date, check your MyRugby Card for the relevant details, or email your enquiry to SmartRugby@Rugby.com.au.
Coaching Essentials DVD
The new Coaching Essentials DVD is your guide to mastering key elements of match play in Rugby. Experts from all the State Unions provide you, as the coach, with the secrets of success in critical areas of the game.
For further information or to purchase this DVD click here.
Half Time – The Coach's Opportunity for Change
The game plan has been working, so what does the coach do at half-time? Alternatively, the game plan has not been working and the dilemma is to make some changes.
It has often been argued that the coach cannot change too much for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the players are fatigued and incapable of taking in information. Often the information is only provided in one medium (verbal) and the player is not a good aural learner.
So what is it that can be done by the coach to maximize their players' opportunities? Firstly, there must be an agreed structure as to what will happen at half time. The amount of time at the coach's disposal will underpin what the structure is. Assuming that it's ten minutes, a typical approach could be:
a) Medical team assesses player injuries (2 minutes). In this time the coach and assistant coach should delay their arrival.
b) Break into units – forwards in one group and backs in the other for a quick discussion on what has worked well and what requires modifying. It is essential that reserve players are also included in these discussions. The coach should lead the discussion, with identified player leaders providing feedback. It is NOT a time for every player to talk. (4 minutes).
c) Second half team assembles closely together. The Head Coach re-affirms the game plan for the second half. The information should be in no more than 3-4 points. The coach may request players to re-state what the major points are. This method is to demonstrate that the player has understood what is planned for the second half. A diagram on a 'chalk board' may be a way of presenting a message to the players. Alternatively, the coach has time to demonstrate (with players) an aspect of play which can provide clarity. (3 minutes).
d) The captain may re-state the approach or provide other information. (1 minute)
The biggest single error in half-time management is that everyone wants to add something. It is often better for players to gather their thoughts, relax physically and be attuned to what is being communicated. The other major error is the management of the team – this includes where they are positioned, how they are grouped and lastly, how emotional the coach might be.
Emotion has its place inRugbybut should be used very sparingly at half-time. Affirmative action is fine, but emotion does little other than neutralise what actually has to be done. Coaches will have identified both strengths and weaknesses within their own and often the opposition team. One slight change to the game plan may determine the outcome of the match.
Essentially, for players to gain the most from half-time, they need to have a clear mind and concentrate on the major points. If there is any confusion as to what the coach's message is, then a question should be posed – this will provide clarification to the team as a whole.
Warren Robilliard
Coaching Manager
REFEREEING NEWS
Training & Accreditation
Over recent months there have been some important changes to the training and accreditation arrangements for match officials. These are explained below.
SmartRugby
From1 January 2006the ARU SmartRugby program is compulsory for all Referees and Referee Coaches. This program must be completed every two years and is a compulsory pre-requisite to obtaining an accreditation or re-accreditation. For further information click here.
Training Programs
Referees
Referee training courses have been reviewed and updated to meet the requirements of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and to reflect current practices. Following is a short outline of the new training programs. Full details can be obtained from the Officiating section of the ARU website.
For those starting out their refereeing career, training is provided through the ARU Foundation Course. The course is for both Referees and team Coaches and provides information to get you started on your refereeing pathway. The Foundation course also incorporates the SmartRugby program. At the completion of this course, participants will be provided with a certificate of attendance.
Accreditation as a Level 1 Referee can be obtained by undertaking the Competency Assessment process and a final assessment against the Level 1 Referee Competencies – see below.
Referees who wish to advance to higher (grade) levels or to gain more knowledge about refereeing attend the Intermediate Referee Training Program. Attached to this program is a separate process to gain Level 2 accreditation.
Referee Coaches
Training programs for Referee Coaches have also been reviewed and updated to reflect current practices and methodologies.
An Introductory Referee Coach Training Program replaces the old Level 1 Course and an Intermediate Referee Coach Training Program replaces the old Level 2 Referee Coach Course.
Again, these programs provide the education, whilst the accreditation process is separate, but attached, to the training program.
Touch Judges
The Touch Judge programs were revised and updated in 2004 and remain unaltered since then.
The ARU Level 3 programs for Referees and Referee Coaches assessed as having the potential to advance to the elite level of the game also remain unchanged.
Accreditation
As mentioned above, the accreditation process for Referees and Referee Coaches has been separated from the Training Programs and more closely reflects a competency based system. The process for obtaining an accreditation as a Referee or Referee Coach requires the following;
-Being SmartRugby Compliant
- Successful completion of a Law Examination (available online)
-Completion of a Competency Assessment Manual
-Successful completion of a Competency Assessment "Field Test".
In accordance with the ASC requirements, an accreditation lasts for four years, by the end of which time it must be renewed.
Previously the ARU re-accreditation policy required individuals to obtain a minimum of 500 points through a range of activities during the 4 year accreditation period. This system has been replaced with an arrangement that requires the following:
- Being SmartRugby Compliant
- Being actively involved in each of the four years
- Successful completion of a Law Examination (available online) twice during the four year period
- Attendance at an update seminar at least twice during the four year period. All states, territories and local associations conduct at least one update (pre-season) seminar each year.
- Successful completion of a Competency Assessment "Field Test" in the fourth year.
Full details of the accreditation and re-accreditation policies can also be obtained from the Officiating section of the ARU website.
Training programs, accreditation and re-accreditation arrangements are managed by state Referee Managers/ Development Officers. Contact details for each state are available here.
Referee Tips for the Lineout
If you have ever studied the Laws of the Game relating to the Lineout, you will know that there are 17 pages of Laws for this phase (even more than for the scrum where there are only 11 pages of Laws). These 17 pages provide for a myriad of offences and it would be possible to award a Penalty or Free Kick at any given Lineout. So what are some best practices that can be adopted to assist with the better management of this phase to keep the game moving (create continuity) and to avoid those unnecessary stoppages?
Here are some thoughts on the process (key factor checklist) that can be used by the Referee to better manage this phase. If you take these as a basis you will be able to develop your own checklist for the Lineout phase.
Ball into Touch
Have a clear view on how the ball was put into touch;
- If the ball was kicked, was the player inside his 22m area?
- Did the player carry the ball back into his 22m area and then kick it into touch?
- Who last touched the ball before it went into touch
- Who should throw in the ball?
Be aware of the option for a quick throw in?
- Has the ball been touched by other than the thrower?
- Has the lineout formed?
- What should the referee do if the quick throw-in is taken incorrectly?
Lineout Formation
The Referee should aim to be one of the first to the lineout – don't take this as a time to have a rest, get there early and watch the players approach the line-of-touch. This will help with:
- Determining how many players the throwing team will have in the lineout.
- Managing the numbers in the lineout, including:
o Players who approach the line-of-touch and then leave.
o Numbers for the non-throwing team.
o Determining who is the receiver (scrumhalf) for each team
- Setting up the lineout to ensure that the gap is established prior to the ball being thrown-in – the ideal place to do this is on the 5 metre line and the line-of-touch.
Throw and Post Throw
The Referee's positioning at the lineout (once it is set up) is important to enable good management.
The standard positions for a Referee at the lineout are the four corners – at an angle of about 45 degrees to the line-of-touch and 2-3 metres from the lineout.
- Early in the game and close to the goal line, the front of the lineout provides the best position to manage the players and ensure that the best outcomes are achieved
- Vary this position at other times by using the back of the lineout.
- The Zipper position (on the line-of-touch at the back of the lineout), limits what can be seen in the lineout and is not a best practice position to use.
-Always position yourself on the side of the team throwing in the ball (they are most likely to win the ball and you will be able to move with play as it moves away from the lineout).
- A good tip is to position yourself so that you can see "into" the lineout". This will help in observing illegalities as they occur
- Another important tip for the Referee is not to watch the ball, but focus your attention on the area where the ball is likely to be thrown and contested.
What are some of the actions you should be looking for at the lineout?
- The ball is thrown 5m and along the line-of-touch (between the inside shoulders of the players of each team)
- The gap being closed early by both teams (particularly the non throwing team). This has become a greater issue with the amount of movement by players prior to the ball being thrown.
- The receiver (half-back) joining the lineout – particularly the non throwing receiver
- Interference on the jumper (e.g. pulling down) by opposing players
- "Tackling" the jumper before he is back on the ground
- Taking out of the jumper's support players
- Non jumping players crossing the line-of-touch into an offside position
- Players at the back of the lineout moving inside the 15m line before the lineout is over
- Players not in the lineout advancing (and joining the maul) before the lineout is over.
Effective management of the setting up of the lineout and pro-actively dealing with potential infringements will allow for much greater continuity and a safer environment for players at this phase. With this in mind, if the Referee can break the lineout down into smaller segments it will become easier to referee.
Finally, after each game review the way in which you refereed the lineout to see how you can improve it next time around, develop your checklist, revisit this and improve as you go from game to game.
PROFILES
Mark Snow, Refereeing Manager, ACT
Refereeing Manager for the ACT, Mark Snow, is the subject of June's C&O E-News Referee Profile.
Coaching/Officiating experience. How many years have you coached/officiated?
I coached for 2 years in theUK(1st XV prep school rugby) and have been a referee since 1998.
What are your qualifications (coaching/officiating level)?
Level 2 Referee and Touch Judge, Level 1 Referee Coach. I am completing the Level 2 Coach course this year. I have also been a Referee Development Officer since 2004.
How did you get involved in coaching/referee?
When injured as a player, I stepped in when the referee did not show.I did not realise how enjoyable it can be, to be in the middle.
Your coaching/officiating career highlight?
SPC curtain raiser between NZ Barbarians and Thames Valley Police at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, NZ
Your future coaching/refereeing aspirations?
To continue to enjoy refereeing, challenge myself each season and help out other junior referees.
What attracts you most to being a State Coaching/Refereeing Manager?
Being able to put back into a sport I enjoyed so much as a player and the friends and enjoyment associated with the game.
Most difficult aspect of your coaching/officiating position?
Convincing players with an appreciation of the game to also consider refereeing so that players, especially young kids, can also enjoy the game.
Coaching/Officiating idol/role model? Why?
Andy Cole. At no stage in his elite refereeing days did he think he was bigger than the game. His communication and law knowledge was excellent. He only said things when necessary and hence, often blended into the background.
Best advice you could give a new coach/referee?
If you are a coach become more law savvy - if a referee, improve your game knowledge each season.
If you could coach/officiate a team from any era, who would it be and why?
Barbarians – they play in the spirit in which the game was intended - running Rugby.
Your favouriteRugbymoment?
Too many to mention!
Other interests aside fromRugby?
Are you allowed? Family comes first, skiing and solar power research. I have a PhD in this area and have lectured at UNSW.
Favourite Super 14 team/favourite player?
George Smith – his work around the tackle/ruck is an art form.
David Hanham, State Accreditation Manager, Queensland
State Accreditation Manager forQueensland, Dave Hanham, is the second subject of June's C&O E-News Profiles and speaks below of his experiences withinRugby.
I began full-time work with Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) in January 2002 as the Brisbane Development Manager. Previous to this my first role withinRugbywas as a Development Officer with Easts Rugby Union Club. I was in this role for 3 years and during this time the position evolved into developing programs, recruitment of players/coaches/referees and implementing Queensland Rugby programs through the community to increase player/coach/referee numbers throughSouthern Brisbane.
In 2002 I received a promotion to work within QRU as the Brisbane Development Manager. The major objective of this position was to increase the number of players, coaches and referees throughoutBrisbane. Through a network of Development Officers, based in the greaterBrisbanearea, we achieved a major increase (approx 12%) in player numbers.
In late 2005 QRU re-structured the Accreditation department and combined two positions, Coach Accreditation Manager and Referee Accreditation Manager, into a new position titled State Accreditation Manager. I was selected to this position in October 2005.
My passion for the game started when I was around 5 years of age when my dad took me down to Easts Rugby Union on a Friday night to train with my brothers in the under 7 team. I played all my juniors with Easts Rugby Union and schoolRugbywith Anglican Church Grammar.
My representativeRugbycareer started in 1997 playing Brisbane U/16's and Australian U/16's. In 1998 I played Queensland Schools then in 1999 – 2001 played seniorRugbyat Easts.
I have been coaching inRugbyfor 7 years and have had involvement with the Queensland U/16 & Schools teams as a coaching coordinator/technical assistant for the past 3 years. I am also involved with Easts Colts as a coordinator and currently co-coach Colts 1. Coaching for me is a great way to learn more about the game and enjoy the game on a different level.
Rugbyhas always had a large role in my life as a recreation sport and now as a full-time job. It is great to see people of all shapes and sizes involved in the game. I have been given a great opportunity inRugbyand I am enjoying every minute as a full-time staff member and a volunteer.
