The 6 Nations and Super Rugby competitions are upon us.
With over 30 years of coaching experience I now sit and watch games (this time at 3-45 am) and let individual and team performances wash over me. When something jumps out at me, I scribble it down.
Maybe I can convert it into a coaching theme?
I’ve moved on from drills and don’t even use the word. I’m more focused on themes of work and continuity.
The Ireland v England game was a game of high quality and intensity. The other two sparked with glimpses of quality, with the French turning back the clock, albeit for the first half only. Still the place to coach I reckon.
By the end of the first round of games, my coaching themes list contained the following themes:
• Acceleration into space
• Attack the drift
• Footwork to create off-load
• Attack against line-speed
• Timed perfect starts
• Fast feet into contact
• Quick ball pass and chase
• Anticipation of turn-over
There is a mountain of creative coaching in each theme, vital if we want to develop a coaching and playing program that emphasises spontaneity and instinctive play.
Try looking at coaching themes as opposed to drills. The more you create, the more effective you become. Coaching within the theme still allows you to correct poor technique.
If, as head coach, you have coaches in your group who don’t correct poor technique…ask them politely to move on.
Mike Penistone
www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com







When most people hear the word “Peloton” they think of an expensive black bike with shiny red buttons and that controversial commercial where the husband gifted his wife a Peloton for Christmas.
If the app interests you, Peloton is currently offering a 30 day FREE TRIAL, so why not give it a try? Check it out 

This article would not be complete, however, if we did not acknowledge some of the delivery issues that have been plaguing Peloton over the last year. Most of the delivery issues seem to affect U.S. deliveries, however, the UK deliveries have been affected as well.






