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COVID-19 Risks and Solutions for Rugby

It is extremely easy in this time of global pandemic to focus on the many negatives affecting the entire rugby family globally.

I set out below the key issues and risks that are currently affecting players, coaches and rugby clubs (and likely to affect in the near future) as well as a list of solutions and recommended approaches to these issues and risks.

Issues

COVID-19 AFTER EFFECTS

• Players may lose interest in playing rugby.
• Schools will cancel fixtures.
• Core technique at training suffers.
• Less technically competent players join rugby clubs.
• New enthusiastic coaches are lost to the game.
• Overall playing standard deteriorates.
• The rugby product is seen as boring.

LAW MAKERS AND LAWS OF THE GAME

• The emerging threat of concussion and mounting legal action is threatening future of the game.
• Law makers will be looking at the on-field product because ratings matter to sponsors.
• Improving the product is more about attitude than law changes (all those in favour say aye!).
• The Kiwi competition prior to COVID-19 had some outstanding clashes, which demonstrates that the game can be exciting whilst complying with the laws of the game.

WHAT WE ARE WATCHING IS VERY AVERAGE

• Big men running into each other.
• Lack of variety in attack.
• No courage to run and support.
• Tedious on field /on TV, high level strategies (e.g. manipulation of the ball by the half back at the ruck and the subsequent box kick. This infection has now spread to the fly-half who now prefers the spiral bomb to running the ball).
• The home of creativity, Australia, can’t get the basics right, let alone be creative.

Solutions

THE ANSWER MAINLY LIES WITH THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER.

• Arsene Wenger’s book, “My Life in Red and White”, page 62 offers a framework (great read).
• In summary, produce players with an instinct to demonstrate their skill.
• How? Through greater TEAM MOBILITY TRAINING on club coaching nights.

Ask the question…Are my players all running at any one time in support or to re-claim the ball? Do they have the instinct and can they do it again and again?

• How much of this do we do in our sessions on club night through game scenario coaching?
• If you want to give them a rest, demonstrate a technique until they stop gasping. Then go again.
• Players turn up at training wanting to run around, not listen to monologues.
• The talented players will set the tempo, the rest will strive to stay with them. Your support will be vital.
BORING PRACTICES PRODUCE LACKLUSTRE PERFORMANCES.

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

• Would banning the side in possession of the ball from kicking it between their 22 and the halfway line improve the game?
• Would limiting the number of punts from hand each 40-minute half improve the game, say 5 punts only per team?
• There are many more…

RUGBY CLUB SURVIVAL

• Many clubs will find it hard to recover from COVID-19.
• Those with the courage to change the training field program will win the players!
• Forget about results. The buzz must come from training and playing.
• Saturday will take care of itself.
• If you said to me, where have you seen the best say, 10 – 20 years old coaching sessions in the last 10 years, I would say Italy. They have really got their act together at junior level and U20 international, across all clubs.

COACHING

• Your future will be determined by your attitude to the product.
• You will be in demand if you can create, “The buzz in players for training and playing”
• Players win you games.
• TEAM MOBILTY DETERMINES BY HOW MUCH.

Check out Mike’s other articles here.

www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com


About Mike Penistone

Mike has coached at all levels of the game, from under-7's through to elite international players at the highest level, in both the northern and southern hemispheres. A few notable positions include serving as Head Coach for Great Britain Students (Rugby League), Head Coach at Nottingham RUFC and Head of Elite Player Development at Leicester Tigers Academy. Mike also served as the U21's Coach at the NSW Warratahs and Director of Coaching at Eastern Suburbs Sydney. He continues to coach across the globe running his consultancy. Check out his website: here. View all posts by Mike Penistone

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