Lineouts: Both BC and Army used 5 man line out a lot. BC used the lift and drive technique (lifters binding in gut vs rebinding) to get a great 10-12 meter drive. Sadly they did nothing this great drive, chosing instead to pass to the backs when the maul stalled--better options would be to try and restart drive, quick attack weak, box kick or roll ball out. Both lifted 2 pods in defense. BC's scrum half started infield on quick taps causing him to run to tap, turn around and back to fly half wasting 3-4 steps and vital fractions of a second. When ball got to backs it was often always a turnover or really bad ball.
Penalties: Army tried some crazy penalty play and never tried to quick tap. Play took several seconds to setup and of the three I saw2 were turnovers, and one was a try from the 5 meter line. This might have been the best option as the Army offensive scrum sucked ,lineouts were iffy, and BC shut down quick-tap opportunities also Army was down 17-0 most of the match and needed tries not 3 pointers.
Kickoffs: both teams played purposefully on kickoffs. BC lost the game on three consecutive kickoffs to start the second half. They didn't pressure Army enough, let Army play their pattern and lost the game on three kickoffs. BC did try to pressure, but on one the deep kick did not have enough hang time, on another they kicked short (which is useless against a good team) and on the last Army got possession, hit a mid field ruck and busted a 30 yard run. At high levels of rugby slight lapses on kickoffs will lose games.
Scrums: Neither side won clean possession on offensive scrums. Wow offensive scrums nearly impossible to win. You need to work hard to do quick hooks and attack quick. Both teams had their 8 man pulling the second rows back by their waist bands to let the scrums launch into each other a very new techniques.
Tackling: Elite teams never tackle one on one. Defenses always hit the ball carrier two on one. Usually both defenders hitting high and smothering the ball. Tackling drills need to emphasize this technique.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Observations from Boston College Army Game
I watched Boston College play Army. BC is a solid division 1 team and Army is routinely one of the top programs in America, perennially in the final fours and producing numerous all Americans each year.
They both played good college rugby. Neither played a spectacular game. What was spectacular was that both teams had equal rugby skills, both were athletically similar and both were fundamentally sound because they had great coaching staffs.
The game was a spectacular event Army marched onto the field in step, in form fitting black gold uniforms, BC in maroon and gold. They played on a superb pitch with several hundred fans cheering on. Each had a coaching staff of about 5. The A-side played at 1, with cside opening at 11 and bsides closing the rugby day at 3. With subs and starters each side played about 60 players on the day. Army had 2 more games scheduled on Sunday against Hofstra for their D and E sides. There were trainers, water at each breakdown, and positive comments from players, fans and coaches on both sides. Minus the hugh stadium and thousands of fans this game could have been a top college football game. Had the game been at Army they would have played in their new stadium.
The coaches are paid BC pays their coaches a few grand a season (5-10K) (Harvard pays about 50K a season for its staff for 4 sides) Army's head coach is 'director of rugby' whose sole job is to coach rugby, he probably makes $60K-$90K a year.
Both schools have and explicit mission of character development, and screen their coaches and monitor their players accordingly. Army builds officers to lead soldier, BC is a Jesuit run school, building future Catholic leaders. Check out their websites BC, Army. Both are well funded by their alumni, all players have sharp uniforms, warmups, travel by bus to games and often get hotels before games even for short away trips. Post match events usually have a meal at a school dining hall or catered in their club house. There are lots of moms and dads and family on the side lines.
The most important part of this game is that it had meaning, the BC kids I know worked every single day of the off season to win this match, the players were fit, strong and explosive, the coaches had worked hard creating game plan and techniques to win this game. BC lead 17-0 at the half. For these players, coaches and fans this was the best rugby experience of their lives. This is the rugby experience I would prefer for Miami. Having talked to players and coaches this year I think this is what they want too.
For both programs attaining this level of professionalism, and tremendous player experience it is 100% alumni driven. Sure they have great players and have found great coaches but the constant is the alumni who keep funding, keep interested, and keep coming back for alumni weekend.
At Miami we are 1000 miles away from this rugby experience, but we are approaching it. We the alumni are seeking out coaches, improving the game plan, getting equipment, seeking a field and mentoring presidents and coaches. The current players are taking steps personally to advance their game, they stay in Friday nights, they attend organized off day workouts, they have high school experience. The current players want a competitive rugby experience-to play in meaningful games, have a shot at play-offs, and to perhaps make and all star team.
We have $60K in the bank BC probably has $600K Army probably has $6M. Lets keep trying to not just keep rugby at Miami, lets make it the best rugby experience we can.
Toby
They both played good college rugby. Neither played a spectacular game. What was spectacular was that both teams had equal rugby skills, both were athletically similar and both were fundamentally sound because they had great coaching staffs.
The game was a spectacular event Army marched onto the field in step, in form fitting black gold uniforms, BC in maroon and gold. They played on a superb pitch with several hundred fans cheering on. Each had a coaching staff of about 5. The A-side played at 1, with cside opening at 11 and bsides closing the rugby day at 3. With subs and starters each side played about 60 players on the day. Army had 2 more games scheduled on Sunday against Hofstra for their D and E sides. There were trainers, water at each breakdown, and positive comments from players, fans and coaches on both sides. Minus the hugh stadium and thousands of fans this game could have been a top college football game. Had the game been at Army they would have played in their new stadium.
The coaches are paid BC pays their coaches a few grand a season (5-10K) (Harvard pays about 50K a season for its staff for 4 sides) Army's head coach is 'director of rugby' whose sole job is to coach rugby, he probably makes $60K-$90K a year.
Both schools have and explicit mission of character development, and screen their coaches and monitor their players accordingly. Army builds officers to lead soldier, BC is a Jesuit run school, building future Catholic leaders. Check out their websites BC, Army. Both are well funded by their alumni, all players have sharp uniforms, warmups, travel by bus to games and often get hotels before games even for short away trips. Post match events usually have a meal at a school dining hall or catered in their club house. There are lots of moms and dads and family on the side lines.
The most important part of this game is that it had meaning, the BC kids I know worked every single day of the off season to win this match, the players were fit, strong and explosive, the coaches had worked hard creating game plan and techniques to win this game. BC lead 17-0 at the half. For these players, coaches and fans this was the best rugby experience of their lives. This is the rugby experience I would prefer for Miami. Having talked to players and coaches this year I think this is what they want too.
For both programs attaining this level of professionalism, and tremendous player experience it is 100% alumni driven. Sure they have great players and have found great coaches but the constant is the alumni who keep funding, keep interested, and keep coming back for alumni weekend.
At Miami we are 1000 miles away from this rugby experience, but we are approaching it. We the alumni are seeking out coaches, improving the game plan, getting equipment, seeking a field and mentoring presidents and coaches. The current players are taking steps personally to advance their game, they stay in Friday nights, they attend organized off day workouts, they have high school experience. The current players want a competitive rugby experience-to play in meaningful games, have a shot at play-offs, and to perhaps make and all star team.
We have $60K in the bank BC probably has $600K Army probably has $6M. Lets keep trying to not just keep rugby at Miami, lets make it the best rugby experience we can.
Toby
Backline Plays From Dike Ajiri
Against modern defenses, the options for the offensive backline is limited. Against an average or higher defense, the offensive backline will probably never advance the ball past the gainline let alone make a long break.
That being stated I’d like to discuss the options for the backline from first phase:
Scrum Right (backline out to the left) or Scrum Left (backline out to the right) from behind our 22 meter line; Offensive options are:
1. Kick for touch
2. Kick for field position. This means kicking deep to the left wing or right wing putting the retreating wing in a position where they’ll have little time and support. This ensures a tackle for the kicking team or forces the opposition to kick out of bounds. This is achieved by reading the placement of the opposition’s deep three and responding accordingly.
3. 6 in. If the scrum is close to the sideline the wing will be coming into this area often, if the 6 in play is called or not. This forces the opposition’s opposite wing to think about defensing the run and kick.
4. 1-2 crash
5. 1-2 scissors
6. 2-3 scissors
Scrum Center from behind our 22 meter line: This is certainly debatably depending on the strengths/weaknesses of your team. If you have a solid scrum, go backs left and your offensive options are:
Right hand blind. 8 Man picks up and before contact dishes to the scrum half whom before contact passes to the flyhalf. Yes, the flyhalf. The Flyhalf did line up in backs left but AFTER the scrum half puts in the ball in the scrum the Flyhalf times it to run the right side. Options are then to run if open, pass to the wing or if even #’s defending, kick deep.
Although most people consider any running from behind your own 22 risky, with the opposition’s wings and fullback have to cover the deep kick, running opportunities are greatly enhanced.
The same options listed as the ones for Scrum Right or Left.
Scrum Right (backline out to the left) or Scrum Left (backline out to the right) from our 22-40 meter line; Offensive options are:
1. 6 in
2. 1-2 crash
3. 1-2 scissors
4. 2-3 scissors
Kick for field position. This means kicking deep to the left wing or right wing putting the retreating wing in a position where they’ll have little time and support. This ensures a tackle for the kicking team or forces the opposition to kick out of bounds. This is achieved by reading the placement of the opposition’s deep three and responding accordingly.
3. 6 in. If the scrum is close to the sideline the wing will be coming into this area often, if the 6 in play is called or not. This forces the opposition’s opposite wing to think about defensing the run and kick.
Scrum Center from behind our 22-40 meter line (Backline left). Your offensive options are:
Continue to run Right Hand Blind as described previously for Scrum Center.
The same options listed as the ones for Scrum Center.
That being stated I’d like to discuss the options for the backline from first phase:
Scrum Right (backline out to the left) or Scrum Left (backline out to the right) from behind our 22 meter line; Offensive options are:
1. Kick for touch
2. Kick for field position. This means kicking deep to the left wing or right wing putting the retreating wing in a position where they’ll have little time and support. This ensures a tackle for the kicking team or forces the opposition to kick out of bounds. This is achieved by reading the placement of the opposition’s deep three and responding accordingly.
3. 6 in. If the scrum is close to the sideline the wing will be coming into this area often, if the 6 in play is called or not. This forces the opposition’s opposite wing to think about defensing the run and kick.
4. 1-2 crash
5. 1-2 scissors
6. 2-3 scissors
Scrum Center from behind our 22 meter line: This is certainly debatably depending on the strengths/weaknesses of your team. If you have a solid scrum, go backs left and your offensive options are:
Right hand blind. 8 Man picks up and before contact dishes to the scrum half whom before contact passes to the flyhalf. Yes, the flyhalf. The Flyhalf did line up in backs left but AFTER the scrum half puts in the ball in the scrum the Flyhalf times it to run the right side. Options are then to run if open, pass to the wing or if even #’s defending, kick deep.
Although most people consider any running from behind your own 22 risky, with the opposition’s wings and fullback have to cover the deep kick, running opportunities are greatly enhanced.
The same options listed as the ones for Scrum Right or Left.
Scrum Right (backline out to the left) or Scrum Left (backline out to the right) from our 22-40 meter line; Offensive options are:
1. 6 in
2. 1-2 crash
3. 1-2 scissors
4. 2-3 scissors
Kick for field position. This means kicking deep to the left wing or right wing putting the retreating wing in a position where they’ll have little time and support. This ensures a tackle for the kicking team or forces the opposition to kick out of bounds. This is achieved by reading the placement of the opposition’s deep three and responding accordingly.
3. 6 in. If the scrum is close to the sideline the wing will be coming into this area often, if the 6 in play is called or not. This forces the opposition’s opposite wing to think about defensing the run and kick.
Scrum Center from behind our 22-40 meter line (Backline left). Your offensive options are:
Continue to run Right Hand Blind as described previously for Scrum Center.
The same options listed as the ones for Scrum Center.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Endowments.
Stanford
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2003/june/intervw.htm
Army
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2003/december/sixkfund.htm
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2003/june/intervw.htm
Army
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2003/december/sixkfund.htm
Scrum half skills
Good post on scrum half skills.
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2004/january/scrumhvs.htm
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2004/january/scrumhvs.htm
Finding A Scrumhalf Among Young Players
By Peter Kingston
Peter Kingston is coach to the England Schools’ 18 Group. He works at Gloucester Academy as well as teaching full-time at Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham. He won five caps for England as scrumhalf from 1975-1979.
When I first attended Lydney Grammar School as an eleven-year-old , the master in charge of Physical Education was Ted Parfitt. Ted knew much about scrumhalf play from a lifetime’s experience as a player. He had played scrumhalf for Cardiff and progressed as far as a final Welsh trial. He also became a fine schoolmaster coach who was well respected in rugby circles.
Find The Scrumhalf
Ted’s philosophy on organising a team was simple: find the scrumhalf then worry about the rest.
Our very first rugby lesson was attended by over forty of us. The first activity was carried out in pairs, each with a rugby ball. The dive pass was demonstrated and then we were let loose to find out who could replicate it best. The search for number 9 was on from the first session.
The scrumhalf emphasis did not end there. We did gymnastics during indoor physical education lessons but the warm-up for the main feature was always pairs running the length of the gym while passing a rugby ball.
I became his choice for the prime position but the education did not end at school. I remember walking back to school after lunch one day and Ted stopped me and gave me a bit of a telling-off for having too long a walking stride! He wanted me to take shorter steps so that I would develop fast feet. The man was obsessed with attention to detail and he would regularly find the three or four decision-makers in a year’s group and mould a team around them.
Some of his methods can assist coaches who regularly deal with newcomers to the game; coaches who can determine whether or not a young player stays in the game. The big task is finding the player who can act as a lively pivot between forwards and backs.
Sparkle
Ted Parfitt looked for sparkle, just as you would look for a bit of life if you were choosing a puppy from a litter. This may be condemned as unscientific and too reliant on a bright-eyed method of selection, but it may be as reliable as any other. I would definitely look for the lad who is eager to play, one who wants the ball and wants to get into action. It’s the type who is always kicking a stone if it is in the path, a cheeky sort – he might just be the one.
Agility And Balance
If I were coaching a group of newcomers to the game I would concentrate on small games of 3 v 3 or 4 v 4. There would be no contact and I would be looking immediately for instinctive handlers who have agility and balance. Though it might not be the most important consideration for a future scrumhalf, I’d also be aware of the player’s physical build, as a too tall, gangly player may not have the necessary speed and agility later in his career.
Passing With Either Hand
The first specialist skill that I would concentrate on would be the pass off the ground with either hand. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; the important thing is to see players passing comfortably both ways.
If a player is able, but favours one hand over the other, some very simple drills can assist in becoming two-handed. The easiest is to bounce a tennis ball against a wall and catch it with the ‘wrong’ hand. It can quickly have a positive effect on a young player’s perception of becoming two-handed.
Proper Size Ball
Whatever you do, don’t worry too much about a player’s skills being perfect in the early days. Get him a ball he can handle easily, even if it’s smaller than the one his age group should play with. Make him comfortable with the skills of the game, even if it means getting him to practise with a size three ball.
Speed Before Accuracy
There is inevitably a debate over the relative importance of accuracy and speed. I would suggest that the coach should develop quick hands rather than accuracy of pass. The over-long pass may be accurate, but it is rarely what the flyhalf wants, as it may be accompanied by an opposition defender. The quicker and shorter pass may not be as accurate but a good number 10 will turn that to his advantage, so try to find out what works for the young scrumhalf. Don’t become too technical too soon; try to develop speed of reaction and execution rather than technical precision.
Keep It Simple
Once you get into a session, keep the main points for the scrumhalf (or any other specialist position) to one or two. There is a danger that coaches can overload a young player with too much information and coaching. Stick to a couple of themes and make sure that they can be practised away from that session. Many parents will be only too willing to help – as long as they know what they are helping with.
Balance
Balance is very important in a number 9. But I would not use the word when coaching a young player, as it may confuse him to have a name for something that he produces naturally and instinctively.
A useful practice is to arrange a row of balls and get the player to run towards them. As he approaches each ball, gently tap it to either side so that he has to move his feet quickly side to side to get into a strong passing position. If this occurs naturally, keep practising and make it harder by decreasing the distance between balls. If the player struggles to get his feet placed correctly, then (and only then) should he be helped with suggestions on how best to place the feet; if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. And if it is happening naturally, try not to give it a name.
Dive Pass
The dive pass has gone out of fashion, but there is a place for it in a young player’s armoury. It is a skill that is relatively easy to produce, gives good direction and allows a scrumhalf to get out of trouble. It is also part of the game that your ‘type’ of player will enjoy. The dive pass will be very useful in wet weather and there is a type of boy who relishes getting muddy and wet. The small, lively player will get up very quickly and will have thoroughly enjoyed the pass.
Unfortunately, too many coaches play their physically bigger players in key position to win games. This is often a short-term solution and may deprive the natural 9 of exposure to the game.
Speed Of Pass Over Accuracy
Even as the scrumhalf gets older, I would still stress speed of pass over accuracy. Place six balls in a line and get the scrumhalf to pass them as quickly as he can to a receiver who is calling for the ball from no more than five metres away. Do not worry about length and try to develop a pass that does not require a look to find the target; the call from another player will be enough.
In this process you will start to develop speedy wrists and once again the trusty tennis ball can be useful. Young players can work beneficially with tennis balls that are passed to them. The frequency and speed can be adapted to suit the skill level of each player, but the outcome should be that a step (or steps) is taken when each ball is in the air to get in a strong passing position. A two-handed catch makes foot placement even more important.
Fast Feet
Getting the feet organized is vital for an aspiring scrumhalf and any ball work that develops good movement will pay dividends. The player has to be encouraged to move his feet while the ball is in the air and to get a strong passing position before he takes possession.
There used to be many natural aids to fast feet through playground and street games, but we now seem to rely on a scientific approach through SAQ (Speed, Agility and Quickness). This is important, but there are older ways.
Skipping is excellent, hopscotch used to be a playground regular and the only equipment needed was a piece of chalk. These activities are not difficult to set up and many more will be appropriate – you just have to make them up. Young players will start to develop fast feet without knowing what they are doing. Specialist Skills There’s a danger in trying to teach everybody all the skills of the game so that we have multi-skilled, multi-positional players. That process might just lose a few specialists and I see scrumhalf as one of the specialists with specialised skills. Austin Healey is an international-class player in many positions but still begs the question: is he world-class in one of them? Pace
Pace, with all the other specialist scrumhalf skills, can be devastating. The type of player I am talking about will want to get in behind defensive errors and missed tackles. Genuine speed will allow this to happen after speed of thought and a rapid weighing-up of the available options.
Kicking
Kicking is a vital skill and it can be fun. Encourage young players to practise, even before they can use the skill in matches. The player you have picked as scrumhalf is probably a very able soccer player (he’s probably good at every sport!) and you need to arm him with a wide range of skills. He will already have been told how good he is at other sports, so get him on board with skill practices at the various rugby kicks.
You can make up your own games and a version of Gaelic Football is not hard to devise. The simplest version would be touch contact, then any sequence of kicking or passing in any direction to follow the touch. You might rule that only a designated scrumhalf can pass the ball after the touch
Don’t be afraid to make it up as you go along. You’ll soon sense what is working or not working.
Whatever you do, though, make it fun
Professionalism of the game of rugby
I love this article as well. Rugby has changed. Lets be professional.
Toby
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2000/october/airforce.htm
Toby
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/2000/october/airforce.htm
Great article about modern rugby
http://www.rugbymag.com/archive/1999/October/coaching.htm
read it if you have time.
read it if you have time.
World cup rugby patterns
If you are reading this as you are watching the world cup, you are seeing video about how to play this pattern. Nearly all teams are doing the basics of this pattern.
1. Running scrum half off ruck
2. Pod running off fly half.
3. Using a wide field, and then switching directions.
4. Lift and drive lineout technique on offensive and defense.
5. Off the top lineouts with scrum half catching ball in stride.
6. Quick taps, quick lineouts.
7. Defensive pressure in scrums (which ruins most offensive scrum attack possibilities)
8. Lack of structured back moves.
9. In open play every player is a rugby player, all ruck, all run, all tackle, all pass.
10. 0 man defensive rucks.
11. Forwards pick and jamming off rucks.
What you don't see from old time rugby:
1. Forward pods running off rucks.
2. Short kickoffs to forwards.
3. Lots of defenders in ruck.
4. Complex back moves.
5. Open field mauls.
6. Lineout peels.
7. Penalty plays.
8. "Slow ball"
9. Defensive rucks.
Rugby has definitely changed. You have a game plan that is ahead of the curve in America. Watch the USA Tonga game and see the 'slow ball' tactics, the slow lineout mauls fail to get a drive, and understand just how difficult modern rugby is if you play slow.
1. Running scrum half off ruck
2. Pod running off fly half.
3. Using a wide field, and then switching directions.
4. Lift and drive lineout technique on offensive and defense.
5. Off the top lineouts with scrum half catching ball in stride.
6. Quick taps, quick lineouts.
7. Defensive pressure in scrums (which ruins most offensive scrum attack possibilities)
8. Lack of structured back moves.
9. In open play every player is a rugby player, all ruck, all run, all tackle, all pass.
10. 0 man defensive rucks.
11. Forwards pick and jamming off rucks.
What you don't see from old time rugby:
1. Forward pods running off rucks.
2. Short kickoffs to forwards.
3. Lots of defenders in ruck.
4. Complex back moves.
5. Open field mauls.
6. Lineout peels.
7. Penalty plays.
8. "Slow ball"
9. Defensive rucks.
Rugby has definitely changed. You have a game plan that is ahead of the curve in America. Watch the USA Tonga game and see the 'slow ball' tactics, the slow lineout mauls fail to get a drive, and understand just how difficult modern rugby is if you play slow.
Scrum moves
Great scrum moves come from great hooks, and quick explosive attacks from the 8 man.
Great hooks come from practice against a live scrum or a scrum machine. #9 puts in a consistent ball to hooker, on hookers hand signal. Hook is fasts, purposeful and consistent, ideally to 8 mans feet.
The best 8 man moves surprise the defense. You can surprise them three ways:
1. Very rapid move almost instantaneously from hook. Practice the mental and physical characteristics of this. Hook, explode out.
2. Rapid move with varied timing from hook. After ball is hooked 8 man calls a drive, and as the surge goes forward he picks and goes. This is very advanced but should be practiced.
3. Rapid 8 man moves both to the right and left, or 8 man passes to scrum half. Vary the moves. Make quick easy calls with scrum half--left or right, pick or run. Many teams chose not to run left because the opposition scrum half is there. I believe you must try left hand moves 1 or two times a game just to keep the opposition honest.
8 man run should be a few explosive steps to get around the scrum, then a hard cut up field. This means being an athlete, and using you explosive plyometric work to make fast moves and hard cuts.
To practice hooks use 5 balls having hooker snap back ball in quick succession. On the 5th ball 8 man makes his move and forwards follow quickly setting a quick ruck or playing dynamic rugby.
This must be worked in practices and games, to perfection.
Great hooks come from practice against a live scrum or a scrum machine. #9 puts in a consistent ball to hooker, on hookers hand signal. Hook is fasts, purposeful and consistent, ideally to 8 mans feet.
The best 8 man moves surprise the defense. You can surprise them three ways:
1. Very rapid move almost instantaneously from hook. Practice the mental and physical characteristics of this. Hook, explode out.
2. Rapid move with varied timing from hook. After ball is hooked 8 man calls a drive, and as the surge goes forward he picks and goes. This is very advanced but should be practiced.
3. Rapid 8 man moves both to the right and left, or 8 man passes to scrum half. Vary the moves. Make quick easy calls with scrum half--left or right, pick or run. Many teams chose not to run left because the opposition scrum half is there. I believe you must try left hand moves 1 or two times a game just to keep the opposition honest.
8 man run should be a few explosive steps to get around the scrum, then a hard cut up field. This means being an athlete, and using you explosive plyometric work to make fast moves and hard cuts.
To practice hooks use 5 balls having hooker snap back ball in quick succession. On the 5th ball 8 man makes his move and forwards follow quickly setting a quick ruck or playing dynamic rugby.
This must be worked in practices and games, to perfection.
Kicking off
Lots of teams will do the standard short kickoff to the opposition forwards and vainly try and regain possession. Sadly the result is usually a mass of collisions, with the opposition retaining possession. Another tactic teams try is to get tricky kicking short kicks of kicks to opposite fields. Unfortunately these moves are usually not practiced, and often result in unproductive results.
Focusing on kickoffs is the best way to establish and change momentum in a game. If you are kicking off you are either starting the game or have just been scored on. Either way you need to make a statement about your willingness to win the game.
Before going into the kickoff pattern lets look at the results we are after: a turnover, a poor possession, a kick and counter attack, or a kick to touch.
First start with a kick. In my book the best option is a high deep kick landing just in front of the 22 meter line between the 5 and 15 meters markers.
Hang time is essential your forwards must run about 28 meters, so you need 3 or 4 seconds in the air for them to get there.
The forward pattern is this 2 men on the ball catcher, 2 men beyond the ball catcher, and 4 in frin defense. The 2 on, and 4 in fringe defense are obvious. The 2 beyond need to be there as well because the kick is open play and catchers mess up kicks a lot, and even if they catch them they often tap directly back makes sense to me to take advantage of common occurrences.
Centers should be rushing on closing down space for the backs. #9 and #10 should hang back at about the opposition 10 meter line. The back three should be on the back 10 meter line depending on the strenght of the opposition kicker. Goal is to be prepared for a counter attack, or quick line out. Don't be afraid to be a good athlete.
I am not a fan of cheeky kicks of short kicks to the opposition forwards. Though I applaud aggression and creativity, the long kick to the 'dead zone' with a blanket of forwards attacking is so productive, I say perfect this pattern, and ride the easy wave to extra possessions, pressure ball, and scoring opportunities. Bottom line is in College rugby this pattern is the gift that keeps on giving. I don't mean dictate patterns, but this one needs to be paid attention to.
Pressure, dynamic attack and quick decisions.
Focusing on kickoffs is the best way to establish and change momentum in a game. If you are kicking off you are either starting the game or have just been scored on. Either way you need to make a statement about your willingness to win the game.
Before going into the kickoff pattern lets look at the results we are after: a turnover, a poor possession, a kick and counter attack, or a kick to touch.
First start with a kick. In my book the best option is a high deep kick landing just in front of the 22 meter line between the 5 and 15 meters markers.
Hang time is essential your forwards must run about 28 meters, so you need 3 or 4 seconds in the air for them to get there.
The forward pattern is this 2 men on the ball catcher, 2 men beyond the ball catcher, and 4 in frin defense. The 2 on, and 4 in fringe defense are obvious. The 2 beyond need to be there as well because the kick is open play and catchers mess up kicks a lot, and even if they catch them they often tap directly back makes sense to me to take advantage of common occurrences.
Centers should be rushing on closing down space for the backs. #9 and #10 should hang back at about the opposition 10 meter line. The back three should be on the back 10 meter line depending on the strenght of the opposition kicker. Goal is to be prepared for a counter attack, or quick line out. Don't be afraid to be a good athlete.
I am not a fan of cheeky kicks of short kicks to the opposition forwards. Though I applaud aggression and creativity, the long kick to the 'dead zone' with a blanket of forwards attacking is so productive, I say perfect this pattern, and ride the easy wave to extra possessions, pressure ball, and scoring opportunities. Bottom line is in College rugby this pattern is the gift that keeps on giving. I don't mean dictate patterns, but this one needs to be paid attention to.
Pressure, dynamic attack and quick decisions.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Recieving Kickoffs
I believe that there is not facet of the American college game as overlooked as the kickoff phases. This is regrettable because giving and receiving kickoffs offers more game opportunities for possession, dynamic play, counter-attacks and turnovers than any phase of the game. Teams that concentrate on this phase, especially in division 2 will have a competitive advantage like no other. When building the Air Force game plan adding the kicking set pieces wound up being the key ingredient, the results quickly paid off, generating turnovers, counter attacks, and quick easy scores. In the 2003 semi-final against Cal the Zoomies scored a non-contact try on a counter-attack on the opening kickoff 45 seconds into the game. They also scored the game sealing try in the second half after recieving the kickoffs. Receiving kickoffs is important because it gives you the chance to dominate and get back to back scores, to complete deflate the opposition.
This blog will deal with receiving kickoffs.
Good kickoff reception begins with a good catch.
1. First player in best position to catch screams "my ball". Best position means they are running towards the ball, not running back to catch it.
2. Catching player sprints into position, and jumps up with arms up, hands in field of view, and hips perpendicular to goal line. (a picture would be better and I will post one later.
3. Supporting players retreat behind catcher to do one of two things:
A. If defense is right on receiver, form a maul.
B. Play dynamic rugby with goal of creating a quick ruck in the center of the field.
Attacking pattern requires 15 people on the same page making and executing decisions faster than the opposition.
If the maul is formed, drive it low hard and fast. I remember first playing Cal in 2001, the recieved a kickoff, formed a maul and literally sprinted in formation 30 yards and then launched an attack. Scrum have determines attack--either a weakside break with wing/fullback in support. Or scrum half can box kick down sidelines. Or get the ball to the fly half quickly for a fast play to the wing.
If the ruck forms backs should form line to one side and forwards to the other, forcing the defense to cover all 70 yards of the field. Scrum half has the freedom to attack weak if he sees a gap. Fly half can call for the ball if he sees and overlap.
In either scenario the goal is to get quick dynamic possession, and get past mid-field in 2 phases. If something goes awry, don't be afraid to kick for territory.
This phase wins champoinships.
This blog will deal with receiving kickoffs.
Good kickoff reception begins with a good catch.
1. First player in best position to catch screams "my ball". Best position means they are running towards the ball, not running back to catch it.
2. Catching player sprints into position, and jumps up with arms up, hands in field of view, and hips perpendicular to goal line. (a picture would be better and I will post one later.
3. Supporting players retreat behind catcher to do one of two things:
A. If defense is right on receiver, form a maul.
B. Play dynamic rugby with goal of creating a quick ruck in the center of the field.
Attacking pattern requires 15 people on the same page making and executing decisions faster than the opposition.
If the maul is formed, drive it low hard and fast. I remember first playing Cal in 2001, the recieved a kickoff, formed a maul and literally sprinted in formation 30 yards and then launched an attack. Scrum have determines attack--either a weakside break with wing/fullback in support. Or scrum half can box kick down sidelines. Or get the ball to the fly half quickly for a fast play to the wing.
If the ruck forms backs should form line to one side and forwards to the other, forcing the defense to cover all 70 yards of the field. Scrum half has the freedom to attack weak if he sees a gap. Fly half can call for the ball if he sees and overlap.
In either scenario the goal is to get quick dynamic possession, and get past mid-field in 2 phases. If something goes awry, don't be afraid to kick for territory.
This phase wins champoinships.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Keys to winning division 2 national championship.
1. Fitness & fundamental. You cannot be too fit to play rugby. You cannot run, pass, tackle, catch, line out, scrum, counterattack with fundamentals that at too good. What do you see NBA players doing in warmups--360 dunks, or lay-up drills, free throws, and box out drills.
2. Lineouts. Mauling lineouts in for scores is essential for winning in division 2.
3. Bonus plays. Quick taps, kickoffs and kickoff returns give you the extra advantage in and even game practice them, prefect them, dominate.
4. 22 man roster strategies. Freshness, committment to winning, and cohesiveness win in Division 2.
5. Preparing for success. Eat, train, hydrate, mentally focus, dress, warm-up, like a champion. Team-wide commitment to details wins championships. Wear a team uniform to travel, eat a team breakfast, have a team dinner.
2. Lineouts. Mauling lineouts in for scores is essential for winning in division 2.
3. Bonus plays. Quick taps, kickoffs and kickoff returns give you the extra advantage in and even game practice them, prefect them, dominate.
4. 22 man roster strategies. Freshness, committment to winning, and cohesiveness win in Division 2.
5. Preparing for success. Eat, train, hydrate, mentally focus, dress, warm-up, like a champion. Team-wide commitment to details wins championships. Wear a team uniform to travel, eat a team breakfast, have a team dinner.
Preparing for the Playoffs
Play every weekend of your season like it was the playoff. Playoff require you to beat a good team saturday and a better one sunday.
1. You must develop team wide habits to play all 22 players in your saturday match. Pick as strategy and stick with it. Either start top side Saturday and then pull key players to rest them when you are dominating, or start weaker side and sub studs if you are losing. Whatever the strategy work on it. Share it with the players, get them on board.
2. You don't have to list your 7 subs by name on saturday, this took AFA 2 years to discover. Use your first 15 saturday, sub b-siders if you are dominating sub your studs if you are even or losing. Whatever you do play 22 players every a-side game.
3. Our AFA sub strategy way 3 player at 3o minutes, 3 players at 50 minutes, and 1 player as needed where ever. This give players a change to get in the groove before and after half time.
4. Sunday should start 5-8 fresh players. Really 5-8 players--your A-side who did not play a minute saturday.
5. Getting the team psychologically, and physically ready for playoff is essential. Psychologically they need to understand the need for subs, the need for starters and the need for a top squad of 25-35 players. Div II teams might only have 25 top player, but you need everyone to be ready to have their position substituted and to be ready to come off the bency.
6. Physically playing 2 games is brutal. Have subs sit down--standing is taxing on. Have all players take and ice bath saturday night--it reduces swelling and healing. Good diet and nutrition and sleep is required to heal between playoff game. Laying down, resting physically and mentally is the key to winning on sunday.
7. Every player and coach need to understand this strategy. Regular season is significantly different from playoff rugby.
1. You must develop team wide habits to play all 22 players in your saturday match. Pick as strategy and stick with it. Either start top side Saturday and then pull key players to rest them when you are dominating, or start weaker side and sub studs if you are losing. Whatever the strategy work on it. Share it with the players, get them on board.
2. You don't have to list your 7 subs by name on saturday, this took AFA 2 years to discover. Use your first 15 saturday, sub b-siders if you are dominating sub your studs if you are even or losing. Whatever you do play 22 players every a-side game.
3. Our AFA sub strategy way 3 player at 3o minutes, 3 players at 50 minutes, and 1 player as needed where ever. This give players a change to get in the groove before and after half time.
4. Sunday should start 5-8 fresh players. Really 5-8 players--your A-side who did not play a minute saturday.
5. Getting the team psychologically, and physically ready for playoff is essential. Psychologically they need to understand the need for subs, the need for starters and the need for a top squad of 25-35 players. Div II teams might only have 25 top player, but you need everyone to be ready to have their position substituted and to be ready to come off the bency.
6. Physically playing 2 games is brutal. Have subs sit down--standing is taxing on. Have all players take and ice bath saturday night--it reduces swelling and healing. Good diet and nutrition and sleep is required to heal between playoff game. Laying down, resting physically and mentally is the key to winning on sunday.
7. Every player and coach need to understand this strategy. Regular season is significantly different from playoff rugby.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Off the top Lineout
Off the tip lineouts require scrum half to get the ball in stride. Scrum half should stand at 5 meter line, and wait to run into the ball ass the jumper taps it down to him. This requires tons of practice. the purpose of this technique is to get to ball to the fly half as fast as possible. Typical college teams will have the scrum half standing in the middle reacting to where the ball comes. The scrum half with reach for the ball, set his feet, and then pass from a stationary position.
Lineout Mauls
The lineout maul is the most important attacking platform of the American college rugby game. Teams are either successful at lineout mauls or they are not. The modern college game demands fast hitting mauls. The old time college game focuses on brute strength. In watching a good team maul, and in practicing the maul focus on the speed of the attack, not just the power of the mauls. This patter requires speed.
To set up the maul three things need to happen at the same time:
1. The jumper must make a clean catch, this requires a good consistent throw and a sure handed catch. This requires consistent throws which require a hooker to practice dozens if not hundreds of throws a season. Get to practice early stay late if you want to throw in.
2. The lifter must practice the lift and drive technique given in the defensive lineout blog. The key difference between this technique and others you may have been taught is that the lifters pull the jumper down quickly and bind hard across the jumpers gut. Other techniques teach the lifters to reach around the jumper and rebind, this method is too slow and allows the defense to form to oppose the drive . the point of this technique is to set the drive quickly and violently.
3. The drivers must come at depth while the ball is in the air and be accelerating and ready to drive immediately.
See the picture of a perfect Cal lineout maul forming. Notice that the drivers are not binding before the drive. #4 will bind on the first lifter, and # 1 will either rip the ball or drive between the first lifter and the #4. Done correctly you will be sprinting past the opposition.
To set up the maul three things need to happen at the same time:
1. The jumper must make a clean catch, this requires a good consistent throw and a sure handed catch. This requires consistent throws which require a hooker to practice dozens if not hundreds of throws a season. Get to practice early stay late if you want to throw in.
2. The lifter must practice the lift and drive technique given in the defensive lineout blog. The key difference between this technique and others you may have been taught is that the lifters pull the jumper down quickly and bind hard across the jumpers gut. Other techniques teach the lifters to reach around the jumper and rebind, this method is too slow and allows the defense to form to oppose the drive . the point of this technique is to set the drive quickly and violently.
3. The drivers must come at depth while the ball is in the air and be accelerating and ready to drive immediately.
See the picture of a perfect Cal lineout maul forming. Notice that the drivers are not binding before the drive. #4 will bind on the first lifter, and # 1 will either rip the ball or drive between the first lifter and the #4. Done correctly you will be sprinting past the opposition.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
How to practice the pattern and get fit
Team of 15 starts at try line (if b-side is short they just play short)
Coach at mid field calls a pattern the team must set-up at mid field.
Team jogs to 22, runs 3/4 to 40 meter line, and sets up pattern at 50 meter line.
Patterns to be worked on:
-5 man offensive lineout off the top
-5 man offensive lineout maul
-Offensive scrums at various points across the field, run 8 man pick right and left, 8 man pick and pass to 9 to right and left. Make sure everyone talks about right hand blind.
-Penalty pattern (run quick tap, kick to touch and form lineout)
-Defensive lineout with team executing first phase defense, simulating second phase set-up and then simulating second phase turnover and quick attack, or coach kicks to backs for counter attack.
-Defensive scrum simualte 8 man drive, calling balls out (left or right) and froming second phase defense.
-Kickoff return pattern (setup quick ruck center, read gaps and attack, or kick for territory)
-Kickoff pattern (kick high for hang time and deep to 22, two men on, two men beyond, and 4 in fringe defense, backs ready to counter attack quickly) coach can kick to team to simulate counter attack.
-22 pattern
With everything (except 22s) team jogs, 3/4, then sprint to mid field, quickly set up pattern coach calls, runs the first phase pattern, and when they get the ball run dynamic phases across field, then attack back until the opposite goal line is reached. Use pick and jams, running scrum half, runners off the fly half, and hands to backs to get across field. Emphasis fitness, decision making, playing the pattern, and most importantly quick assembly, communication, and execution. This practice is essentially how to execute the pattern. You will wear down all division 2 teams with this pattern.
Coach at mid field calls a pattern the team must set-up at mid field.
Team jogs to 22, runs 3/4 to 40 meter line, and sets up pattern at 50 meter line.
Patterns to be worked on:
-5 man offensive lineout off the top
-5 man offensive lineout maul
-Offensive scrums at various points across the field, run 8 man pick right and left, 8 man pick and pass to 9 to right and left. Make sure everyone talks about right hand blind.
-Penalty pattern (run quick tap, kick to touch and form lineout)
-Defensive lineout with team executing first phase defense, simulating second phase set-up and then simulating second phase turnover and quick attack, or coach kicks to backs for counter attack.
-Defensive scrum simualte 8 man drive, calling balls out (left or right) and froming second phase defense.
-Kickoff return pattern (setup quick ruck center, read gaps and attack, or kick for territory)
-Kickoff pattern (kick high for hang time and deep to 22, two men on, two men beyond, and 4 in fringe defense, backs ready to counter attack quickly) coach can kick to team to simulate counter attack.
-22 pattern
With everything (except 22s) team jogs, 3/4, then sprint to mid field, quickly set up pattern coach calls, runs the first phase pattern, and when they get the ball run dynamic phases across field, then attack back until the opposite goal line is reached. Use pick and jams, running scrum half, runners off the fly half, and hands to backs to get across field. Emphasis fitness, decision making, playing the pattern, and most importantly quick assembly, communication, and execution. This practice is essentially how to execute the pattern. You will wear down all division 2 teams with this pattern.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Speeding up the offensive ruck
Perhaps the most frustrating thing for me to watch in any collegiate rugby game is how teams approach the offensive ruck. A player will go into a tackle, and struggle to get a few more yards, present the ball slowly, and hope that his teammates will bail him out by rucking over. If the ball happens to be presented the entire team will wait for the scrum half to arrive and he will wait for the forwards to get into position or for the fly half to give him a call. If the scrum half gets the ball out to a forward they will run head down full speed into an established defense. If the fly half gets it he will try and run some complex triple flip move into an established defense. The most likely result is a turnover, or another static ruck. God forbid the ball gets to the wing where the poor soul will be smothered by a pursuing defense. Trust me every American rugby team has a predisposition to break the game down into easy to practice and easy to understand static rugby moments. I hope to show you four techniques to make the game more dynamic: the presentation, forward plugs, running scrum half, and weakside attacks.
First you need to swear to give up one classic aspect of the American game the static scrum half pop passing to running forwards, the is the Maginot line of rugby.
A dynamic ruck begins with presentation. The ball carrier must decide about 5 yards away from the tackle that he is going be tackled and prepare to take the tackle on his own terms. The photo below of BYU in blue vs Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a perfect example of tacking the tacking on you own terms, BYU player has low body position, and is falling so he delivers the ball to his team even though he is double teamed. Keep you legs driving, keep you body low, maintain control of your momentum, go to ground on your terms. Don't try and pass, don't try and break the tackle. Going into a tackle is a fundamental skill every player must have.
Second key to a dynamic ruck is the forward plug. The next player into the ruck should see the ball and make and immediate decision to either ruck over or pick and plug the ball. If the ball is available, and there is a disfigured defense the first impulse should be to immediately pick the ball, run with a low body position into the path of least resistance. This should be a team wide mind set. Against a good opponent this opportunity might happen two or three times a game. If there is not space to pick and run the second player should set the ruck. This is more of a very high speed art than something I can articulate here. Below is an example of a Navy player executing the pick and plug technique in a dynamic ruck. He has a low body position, has the ball tucked in one arm and is quickly attacking a disfigured defense. In order to do this he must make a quick decision to attack.
The next key to dynamic rucks is the running scrum half. Instead of standing static dishing to forwards or back the scrum half reads the defense and runs to daylight ready to dish to forwards running at pace. Below is a prime example of Navy executing the dynamic scrum half move. He is running parallel to the goal line, and you can see the forward running at pace. this is extremely hard to defend.
The final dynamic ruck technique is the weakside attack. The idea is to keep rucking across the field with plugs, running scrum halves until you run out of field. Usually it is very hard to defend the weakside. Ideally you will attack all the way to the 5 meter line and put a man away with a few feet on the side lines. Trust me no team can keep defending the weakside all the way across the field. Below is CAL Navy 2005 game with Cal setting up the perfect weakside attack. Notice how Navy is forced to commit defenders to both sides of the ruck.
The last example is of Air Force vs Army in 2004 with AF scrum half reading the weakside attack. Army has no one defending, this is an easy long run if not a try if he just looked before automatically passing.
Keep it fast. Practice fast, think fast, be fast. Or as Coach Wooden would say "Be quick don't hurry."
First you need to swear to give up one classic aspect of the American game the static scrum half pop passing to running forwards, the is the Maginot line of rugby.
A dynamic ruck begins with presentation. The ball carrier must decide about 5 yards away from the tackle that he is going be tackled and prepare to take the tackle on his own terms. The photo below of BYU in blue vs Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a perfect example of tacking the tacking on you own terms, BYU player has low body position, and is falling so he delivers the ball to his team even though he is double teamed. Keep you legs driving, keep you body low, maintain control of your momentum, go to ground on your terms. Don't try and pass, don't try and break the tackle. Going into a tackle is a fundamental skill every player must have.
Second key to a dynamic ruck is the forward plug. The next player into the ruck should see the ball and make and immediate decision to either ruck over or pick and plug the ball. If the ball is available, and there is a disfigured defense the first impulse should be to immediately pick the ball, run with a low body position into the path of least resistance. This should be a team wide mind set. Against a good opponent this opportunity might happen two or three times a game. If there is not space to pick and run the second player should set the ruck. This is more of a very high speed art than something I can articulate here. Below is an example of a Navy player executing the pick and plug technique in a dynamic ruck. He has a low body position, has the ball tucked in one arm and is quickly attacking a disfigured defense. In order to do this he must make a quick decision to attack.
The next key to dynamic rucks is the running scrum half. Instead of standing static dishing to forwards or back the scrum half reads the defense and runs to daylight ready to dish to forwards running at pace. Below is a prime example of Navy executing the dynamic scrum half move. He is running parallel to the goal line, and you can see the forward running at pace. this is extremely hard to defend.
The final dynamic ruck technique is the weakside attack. The idea is to keep rucking across the field with plugs, running scrum halves until you run out of field. Usually it is very hard to defend the weakside. Ideally you will attack all the way to the 5 meter line and put a man away with a few feet on the side lines. Trust me no team can keep defending the weakside all the way across the field. Below is CAL Navy 2005 game with Cal setting up the perfect weakside attack. Notice how Navy is forced to commit defenders to both sides of the ruck.
The last example is of Air Force vs Army in 2004 with AF scrum half reading the weakside attack. Army has no one defending, this is an easy long run if not a try if he just looked before automatically passing.
Keep it fast. Practice fast, think fast, be fast. Or as Coach Wooden would say "Be quick don't hurry."
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