U14 training was pretty good - I got to stand back and watch Dom and Tony take to boys through a run and stretches before Dom led them through an excellent hit drill. The defenders stand in a line holding shields and an equal number of attacker lie face down on the ground 10 metres away. "One-two-three" calls the first attacker then all the attackers jump up and drive the defenders before running back onto their stomachs. This is repeated four or five times before the ball is kicked long - like multiple ruck phases before kicking for a line out - and the attackers run the ball forward. When touched by a defender the ball carrier goes to ground as if they were tackled, a second attacker cleans out the defender-shield holder so the half back, anyone else, can pick up the ball and either run it or pass to the receiver for another phase. Plently of calling for the ball, must clean up to make space for the half back, repeat to exhaustion.
I stood aside partly because the WA Junior Rugby Super 10 has been postponed so walking through scrums and lineouts as I had planned was no longer a clear priority over perfecting the ruck. It will be good to practice these and kicks over a few weeks to get them down pat and in particular so the boys can learn where they should stand and what they should do as the ball is returned into play. Scrums usually lead to multiple phases of play as rucks are taken along one side of the field, or the first receiver runs and drives to make distance over the advantage line, and lineouts can do the same or lead to a maul forming. Skills and drills are vital to the development of the young players and I am pleased to say that Dom and others seem to have fabulous experience and good rapport with the boys in this area - far beyond my own knowledge.
For myself, my ribs are feeling better every day and after two sessions of (painful) physiotherapy, with another on Monday, throwing the ball, running and bending with a full range of movement is still not an option. It is hard to coach if you cannot demonstrate properly and participate so having the others to assist with coaching drills or to take over is a plus. As as example of good timing, a received a reply from Anthony at Rugby WA about refereeing and I plan to go prepare for Level 1 Accreditation. It is a natural path to progress from playing to refereeing in seniors and I will consider my own pathways as a coach and referee as my development progresses in both areas over the next few months.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Rugby Trial
What a week. Training the u14s went well followed by a good seniors sessions that included the 4th grade senior players becoming cannon fodder for the u19s - I must say, they show a lot of promise. The u14s will be competing in the Super 10s comp - playing two games on Saturday morning for two weeks from next weekend. So the training schedule I prepared needs to be accelerated. I played in a preseason trial match against Wests and found it hard going. Now I have two black eyes and a badly bruised rib.
The u14s worked hard as we train to a plan - mirroring the need to play to a plan if we are to be successful this season. In juniors it is traditional to tackle and run however as the boys and their opposition get bigger and stronger the ruck cannot be ignored. So, following on from the tackle last week, we introduced the tackle zone and how a ruck forms - when two players from opposing teams bind over the ball. Then players must enter the ruck from the gate, the narrow area on the players side that defines the extent of the tackle zone. The offside line runs parallel to the goal line through the feet of the rearmost player in the ruck. The first point to make is that the ball carrier must release or play the ball immediately - when the tackler rolls away - generally by stretching as far back towards his own goal line to place the ball. The second point is this requires great support from his team mates who must join the ruck to clear out opposing players and give time for the scrum half - or half back - to pickup the ball out of the ruck and deliver it to the first receiver, usually the fly half - also called 5/8. The plan for next week was for the scrum, review the basics, then practice two-phase play onto a ruck. This minimal plan has been thwarted by the impending 10-a-side competition so, having two assistant coaches, the next training will include scrums and lineouts continuing onto ruck and clearing out into open play, including a bit of kicking for starts, restarts, dropouts, free kicks and penalties. A lot for one training but it promises to be a busy and satisfying one.
The seniors training was timely in also being preparation for the weekend trial matches including scrums from basics, and lineouts. After the tackle and ruck drills to exhaustion with two sore ankles and other bruising I limped away as the guys continued onto lineout practice. In a game, the only time I will join a lineout is to make up number in any case since I am a bit too short (5'7) to be a strong contender for the ball. Before my last retirement I shifted to loose forward or wing instead of the hooker position that I played in juniors and colts. As usual, we are short of front rowers so I have again been drafted into the hooker position. I am almost ideally sized for the position, I must admit, being solid and strong - 85kg, used to play between 72-75kg about 12-15 years ago (sigh) - able to play as a loose forward in open play, and a bit shorter than the props.
The trials match yesterday was hard going in the mid-30s heat and a bruising physical encounter. Even with uncontested scrums I got wiped out and hammered several times when cleaned out of rucks by Wests players. I barely suspect that my bruised left eye was a fist or elbow intended to intimidate me - I could not get up for a moment and then had to recover my bearings - second black eye to match the right one acquired in training. My right ribs are badly bruised from a heavy take down, his full body weight on my ribs, that was surely dangerous and if not deliberate than indicative of poor skills and coaching, the full body weight through elbow or knee into my side. Maybe both of these incidents were random, unrelated and it will get better week-on-week from here. Otherwise my playing career will be over before the season has started because I cannot continue to take this sort of beating and to continuously be carrying injuries on the field and at work.
UPDATE: Undergoing physiotherapy for badly bruised ribs and intercostal muscles. Cannot train for at least 10-14 days. Will remain painful while taking deep breaths (eg. while running) and to the touch for many weeks.
The u14s worked hard as we train to a plan - mirroring the need to play to a plan if we are to be successful this season. In juniors it is traditional to tackle and run however as the boys and their opposition get bigger and stronger the ruck cannot be ignored. So, following on from the tackle last week, we introduced the tackle zone and how a ruck forms - when two players from opposing teams bind over the ball. Then players must enter the ruck from the gate, the narrow area on the players side that defines the extent of the tackle zone. The offside line runs parallel to the goal line through the feet of the rearmost player in the ruck. The first point to make is that the ball carrier must release or play the ball immediately - when the tackler rolls away - generally by stretching as far back towards his own goal line to place the ball. The second point is this requires great support from his team mates who must join the ruck to clear out opposing players and give time for the scrum half - or half back - to pickup the ball out of the ruck and deliver it to the first receiver, usually the fly half - also called 5/8. The plan for next week was for the scrum, review the basics, then practice two-phase play onto a ruck. This minimal plan has been thwarted by the impending 10-a-side competition so, having two assistant coaches, the next training will include scrums and lineouts continuing onto ruck and clearing out into open play, including a bit of kicking for starts, restarts, dropouts, free kicks and penalties. A lot for one training but it promises to be a busy and satisfying one.
The seniors training was timely in also being preparation for the weekend trial matches including scrums from basics, and lineouts. After the tackle and ruck drills to exhaustion with two sore ankles and other bruising I limped away as the guys continued onto lineout practice. In a game, the only time I will join a lineout is to make up number in any case since I am a bit too short (5'7) to be a strong contender for the ball. Before my last retirement I shifted to loose forward or wing instead of the hooker position that I played in juniors and colts. As usual, we are short of front rowers so I have again been drafted into the hooker position. I am almost ideally sized for the position, I must admit, being solid and strong - 85kg, used to play between 72-75kg about 12-15 years ago (sigh) - able to play as a loose forward in open play, and a bit shorter than the props.
The trials match yesterday was hard going in the mid-30s heat and a bruising physical encounter. Even with uncontested scrums I got wiped out and hammered several times when cleaned out of rucks by Wests players. I barely suspect that my bruised left eye was a fist or elbow intended to intimidate me - I could not get up for a moment and then had to recover my bearings - second black eye to match the right one acquired in training. My right ribs are badly bruised from a heavy take down, his full body weight on my ribs, that was surely dangerous and if not deliberate than indicative of poor skills and coaching, the full body weight through elbow or knee into my side. Maybe both of these incidents were random, unrelated and it will get better week-on-week from here. Otherwise my playing career will be over before the season has started because I cannot continue to take this sort of beating and to continuously be carrying injuries on the field and at work.
UPDATE: Undergoing physiotherapy for badly bruised ribs and intercostal muscles. Cannot train for at least 10-14 days. Will remain painful while taking deep breaths (eg. while running) and to the touch for many weeks.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Bruised but not Beaten
The full contact drills in seniors last night have left me bruised but not beaten. Several of us suffered the kind of lower leg injury that is common inside the tackle zone during rucks, and even mauls, when a boot slides down and across the leg or foot of another player. The bruise and blood drawn on my left ankle and a real shiner around my right eye from an elbow are typical of bruising as a direct result of physicality in the contest.
My sore shoulder, triceps and quadriceps - worse on the left side - are less typical and are probably age-related. The balanced, bent knee, semi-squatting position loads up the legs, driving into rucks and mauls, sprinting off the mark contribute to muscle soreness in the legs. Poor tackling technique on my part coupled with the speed and strength of the ball carrier led to me left arm being partially extended in a tackle, causing immediate concern at the time but only lingering soreness. Yesterday I could not lift with my left arm however today I have full range of mobility. The difference in speed of the younger fellows, 10 years or more my junior, in getting into position is quite pronounced; as is their size, often a foot taller and 20kg heavier than I am.
The mental toughness and confidence needed to fully commit to the tackle contest has been hammered into me by my own experience. The concept translates directly into the u14s I am coaching where some of boys have a natural trepidation about tackling. Next week we will explore the tackle zone, technique and laws governing the ruck but yesterday afternoon we concentrated on the tackle itself. As I was shown in the Rugby Foundations course, we decomposed the tackle into several steps, with the tackler only grabbing the ball carrier at first while concentrating on shoulder strength and head position beside the tackler. Thumb to your ear, boys, keep your shoulder strong. Then grabbing the ball carrier's leg and finally executing the tackle to bring the ball carrier to ground followed by the tackler rolling away. We had mixed success trying this out in a variation of touch rugby at 50% of full contact - gentle take downs, no elbows or knees - where the ball carrier had to allow the tackle rather than try to break through the tackler.
The basics of passing, picking and placing the ball in pairs, picking up the free ball - front hand first, then rear hand to avoid knock forward, two-handed for good ball security - makes us ready to move onto the ruck next week. To encourage joining the ruck, giving the best chance of retaining possession and allowing time for the back to get into position is the next challenge for the young players. Master the ruck, clean out and ball-receiver roles to win games with positive play - everyone has to know where to go and what to do. Forwards join the ruck through the tackle zone; backs onside and in an attacking line. Juniors can be prone to kicking away possession under pressure and that is something to be avoided.
The set pieces of scrum and lineout are next off the block after rucks, then mauls, before we address start and restart kicks, dropouts and conversions. Kicking in free play comes last reflecting that kicks are usually the last option. By all means kick for distance from your goal line in defence; but rarely use ground or chip kicks in free play. Tactical kicks are difficult to execute with a high chance of losing possession but strategic kicks, for touch or distance to make time and space to regroup, have merit only if executed properly.
My sore shoulder, triceps and quadriceps - worse on the left side - are less typical and are probably age-related. The balanced, bent knee, semi-squatting position loads up the legs, driving into rucks and mauls, sprinting off the mark contribute to muscle soreness in the legs. Poor tackling technique on my part coupled with the speed and strength of the ball carrier led to me left arm being partially extended in a tackle, causing immediate concern at the time but only lingering soreness. Yesterday I could not lift with my left arm however today I have full range of mobility. The difference in speed of the younger fellows, 10 years or more my junior, in getting into position is quite pronounced; as is their size, often a foot taller and 20kg heavier than I am.
The mental toughness and confidence needed to fully commit to the tackle contest has been hammered into me by my own experience. The concept translates directly into the u14s I am coaching where some of boys have a natural trepidation about tackling. Next week we will explore the tackle zone, technique and laws governing the ruck but yesterday afternoon we concentrated on the tackle itself. As I was shown in the Rugby Foundations course, we decomposed the tackle into several steps, with the tackler only grabbing the ball carrier at first while concentrating on shoulder strength and head position beside the tackler. Thumb to your ear, boys, keep your shoulder strong. Then grabbing the ball carrier's leg and finally executing the tackle to bring the ball carrier to ground followed by the tackler rolling away. We had mixed success trying this out in a variation of touch rugby at 50% of full contact - gentle take downs, no elbows or knees - where the ball carrier had to allow the tackle rather than try to break through the tackler.
The basics of passing, picking and placing the ball in pairs, picking up the free ball - front hand first, then rear hand to avoid knock forward, two-handed for good ball security - makes us ready to move onto the ruck next week. To encourage joining the ruck, giving the best chance of retaining possession and allowing time for the back to get into position is the next challenge for the young players. Master the ruck, clean out and ball-receiver roles to win games with positive play - everyone has to know where to go and what to do. Forwards join the ruck through the tackle zone; backs onside and in an attacking line. Juniors can be prone to kicking away possession under pressure and that is something to be avoided.
The set pieces of scrum and lineout are next off the block after rucks, then mauls, before we address start and restart kicks, dropouts and conversions. Kicking in free play comes last reflecting that kicks are usually the last option. By all means kick for distance from your goal line in defence; but rarely use ground or chip kicks in free play. Tactical kicks are difficult to execute with a high chance of losing possession but strategic kicks, for touch or distance to make time and space to regroup, have merit only if executed properly.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Twice as Hard
Being the first week of junior rugby training the turnout was less than complete, as you would expect, so u13s and u14s trained together under Chris' then Tony's experienced eye while I played the part of assistant coach. After a warmup run, stretches and a reprise of passing drills learned at the Rugby Foundations course, we moved onto a classic game of touch. Bit scrappy but fun and a great test bed for those skills that are hard won and necessary to become a competent player.
Also for the group of players to transition to being a team rather than a group of individuals. The catch and pass is so important and fundamental to the game - the boys mostly have good skills already and many a great eye, rarely does a ball get dropped - technically the intent of hands high, fingers to the sky, diamond thumbs to catch the ball, swing pass I saw reasonable adeptness, some are very, very good. Reminded to boys to use width, make space, quick and early move forward with the ball carrier, a couple of new boys shown to lower their centre of gravity. Warm down stretches and we are done.
My role as coach is to create the coaching plan for the season. During preseason training we should cover each of the skill areas and phases of the game at least twice, more for passing and tackling, focussing on techniques and safety for tackling, scrums and lineouts. The individual adeptness and team work to be comehighly effective at rucks and mauls takes a lot longer. Specialist work for kicks, start and restarts, drop outs, conversions, field goals and tactical kicking in free play. Five week basic program before the trial match before the season opener will be spent no these areas, using the same pattern every week of warmup run and stretching; running and passing; new skill description, demonstration and practice; minigame based on skill; warm down run and stretch. There is time enough during the season to refine this basic training pattern while exploring and practicing each phase and the many facets of the game. Have to learn the boys names, invite their preferences for positions and try it it, keeping horseplay in check and having plenty of fun along the way.
Hey, are those the seniors training over there? Let's join in and see how it goes. Geez, that drill looks hard. Hi there. Rick? You were club President, I should know that. Just hop on the end. But what are they doing. I will watch a bit. New guy Peter knows Tom the lock, follow him. Overs and unders. How does that work? I am over, right - go that way. Head for your man, then sharp turn right into the gap. The backs are very cerebral, especially the centres and this is a centres drill. Fast and hard, make space, drive through the gap, make a line break, cross the advantage line. My skills have eroded, my speed is fine, my autonomy is poor. Maybe I took a couple of reasonable lines but I feel like I am just pretending.
Forwards and backs in separate drills - forwards for lineouts. Ball throwers, over here. I used to throw, over a decade ago. You will do. The calls are... not for public ears. Jumpers, lift and support in the lineout. More to learn and remember. My throws have marginal accuracy, too slow, not enough spin, need more loop. Do I want to play hooker again, anyway? I had a bruising experience and a few dangerous scrums in the past. I moved to loose forward, breakaway or flank, or used my speed to run the wing. Maybe I don't have the skills, hands or feet, to exploit the ruck and be an effective flanker. The backs are fast and mobile. The hookers are solid, strong and mobile. I have been able to keep up so far with fitness from gym and running but I am out of position in almost every phase and drill.
Left-or-right , receiver passes or pick-n-place out of the ruck, from touch-to-touch, work to exhaustion. Clear, bind, only one scanner for each ruck, move to next ruck, open space, runner, take the tackle. Feels good to tackle - need to look after my weak shoulder, must keep my hand up, shoulder muscles tight not extended. Ruck and maul drills - first group of three, ball carrier to ground from man with tackle bag, next man clean out the opposition, scanner in tackle zone, then pass to new ball carrier, stay on feet for maul, bind, bind, bind. Great drill. Have to switch on to get into position quicker. Translating these basic moves into support during a game takes practice.
How much work do I have to do to be ready to play a game of rugby? How much more to be an asset to the team? I must be able to play fourth grade, surely, but could I make second grade? Questions to be answered at training next week and the week after. Ideas for my other role as coach, focus on competition in u14s versus winning in open rugby; simpler drills, same skills, smaller pieces for the boys to digest, more repetition, keep it interesting.
A day and two days later I am recovering from muscle fatigue due to running, crouching, driving, clearing, throwing like I have not done for many years. It feels good to be back.
Also for the group of players to transition to being a team rather than a group of individuals. The catch and pass is so important and fundamental to the game - the boys mostly have good skills already and many a great eye, rarely does a ball get dropped - technically the intent of hands high, fingers to the sky, diamond thumbs to catch the ball, swing pass I saw reasonable adeptness, some are very, very good. Reminded to boys to use width, make space, quick and early move forward with the ball carrier, a couple of new boys shown to lower their centre of gravity. Warm down stretches and we are done.
My role as coach is to create the coaching plan for the season. During preseason training we should cover each of the skill areas and phases of the game at least twice, more for passing and tackling, focussing on techniques and safety for tackling, scrums and lineouts. The individual adeptness and team work to be comehighly effective at rucks and mauls takes a lot longer. Specialist work for kicks, start and restarts, drop outs, conversions, field goals and tactical kicking in free play. Five week basic program before the trial match before the season opener will be spent no these areas, using the same pattern every week of warmup run and stretching; running and passing; new skill description, demonstration and practice; minigame based on skill; warm down run and stretch. There is time enough during the season to refine this basic training pattern while exploring and practicing each phase and the many facets of the game. Have to learn the boys names, invite their preferences for positions and try it it, keeping horseplay in check and having plenty of fun along the way.
Hey, are those the seniors training over there? Let's join in and see how it goes. Geez, that drill looks hard. Hi there. Rick? You were club President, I should know that. Just hop on the end. But what are they doing. I will watch a bit. New guy Peter knows Tom the lock, follow him. Overs and unders. How does that work? I am over, right - go that way. Head for your man, then sharp turn right into the gap. The backs are very cerebral, especially the centres and this is a centres drill. Fast and hard, make space, drive through the gap, make a line break, cross the advantage line. My skills have eroded, my speed is fine, my autonomy is poor. Maybe I took a couple of reasonable lines but I feel like I am just pretending.
Forwards and backs in separate drills - forwards for lineouts. Ball throwers, over here. I used to throw, over a decade ago. You will do. The calls are... not for public ears. Jumpers, lift and support in the lineout. More to learn and remember. My throws have marginal accuracy, too slow, not enough spin, need more loop. Do I want to play hooker again, anyway? I had a bruising experience and a few dangerous scrums in the past. I moved to loose forward, breakaway or flank, or used my speed to run the wing. Maybe I don't have the skills, hands or feet, to exploit the ruck and be an effective flanker. The backs are fast and mobile. The hookers are solid, strong and mobile. I have been able to keep up so far with fitness from gym and running but I am out of position in almost every phase and drill.
Left-or-right , receiver passes or pick-n-place out of the ruck, from touch-to-touch, work to exhaustion. Clear, bind, only one scanner for each ruck, move to next ruck, open space, runner, take the tackle. Feels good to tackle - need to look after my weak shoulder, must keep my hand up, shoulder muscles tight not extended. Ruck and maul drills - first group of three, ball carrier to ground from man with tackle bag, next man clean out the opposition, scanner in tackle zone, then pass to new ball carrier, stay on feet for maul, bind, bind, bind. Great drill. Have to switch on to get into position quicker. Translating these basic moves into support during a game takes practice.
How much work do I have to do to be ready to play a game of rugby? How much more to be an asset to the team? I must be able to play fourth grade, surely, but could I make second grade? Questions to be answered at training next week and the week after. Ideas for my other role as coach, focus on competition in u14s versus winning in open rugby; simpler drills, same skills, smaller pieces for the boys to digest, more repetition, keep it interesting.
A day and two days later I am recovering from muscle fatigue due to running, crouching, driving, clearing, throwing like I have not done for many years. It feels good to be back.
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