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.