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* Your team numbers are 12 now, so my advice is you need a minimum squad of 14-15 for 1 team, 28-30 for 2 teams etc.

** Your matches will be played across half an adult full sized pitch, so if you have 2 teams you need access each weekend you play at home to 1 adult pitch, 1.5 for 3 teams etc.  See end of this email for layout.

The provisional timelines are on or before:

11 Sept - Head Coach returns the necessary data to me, if unsure give me your best estimate

18 Sept - First draft of League Fixtures issued by me

25 Sept - Clubs contact me with any issues or changes

26 Sept - Final list of League Fixtures issued by me

2 Oct - First fixtures take place, assumes clubs have started back on or before 5 Sept****

When I've run the league in the past I've had some private requests from clubs not to play certain clubs or to twin up with other clubs due to low numbers etc.  I am happy to facilitate reasonable requests pre-setting the fixtures but not afterwards, so if you have a special request please let me know before Sept 11.

Once I set the fixtures I expect the home team to contact the away team not less than one week beforehand to confirm times, exact location etc.

Here is a link to the rules set by the IRFU: https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/age-grade/aviva-minis/what-is-aviva-mini-rugby/. Always use the link and not hard copies as the Branch are known to make changes mid-season!  If anyone feels that a club is playing to a certain rule that goes against those contained in the link, then please call me on the morning and I will sort it out, we want to avoid any unsightly discussions in front of kids.

Therefore I want to bring to everyone's attention some key rules this year:

1. Tackle Height: At or below the Waist, as per U11.

2. High tackles are penalised immediately by the referee, no advantage is allowed. (The IRFU are very strong on this to highlight the issue of high tackles to kids)

3. Pitch: it seems weird but the pitch direction changes so we play with the full width and half-pitch, see below.  The IRFU want the kids to start to use width in advance of youth rugby next year.  When setting your matches up please ensure you have the requisite space to facilitate this.

4. Player Registration: All mini players in the club should be registered with the new Sportsmanager (Sportslomo) system.

5. Correct Age:  All your kids must be born in the year 2011, under no circumstances can you play a child born in 2010 or earlier.  The only situation where you can play a child born in 2012 is where you are struggling to make a team for U12 with 2011 players and need to supplement with players one year younger. However, if this is the case you cannot play to the Stage 4 U12 rules and must play to the Stage 3 U11 rules and you need to apply to the Branch for permission, please discuss this with your Metro rep. If you currently have players playing outside the eligibility criteria please address this now at the start of the season, it is harder to do it as the season goes on.

6. Team: you are now up to 12 players, 6 forwards and 6 backs, this affects the numbers in lineouts, rucks etc.

7. Handoffs are now allowed, shoulder or below, not at the face.

8. No ripping of the balls, if the ball carrier is tackled and is lying on the ground the defender can take the ball but never when the player is upright with ball in hand.

9. No counter rucking allowed, 5 second use it or lose rule in rucks

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New Tackle & Contact Technique & Breakdown Rules

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New Tackle & Contact Technique & Breakdown Rules

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Having been on the Leinster Course this Summer for the next age grade... there are a couple of changes to the tackle and contact techniques. With a shift in focus on both being dominant.

I will run through a group wide session at the start of Sunday's session on the new focus points.

A little bit of light contact work... we are not to be throwing lads into each other for a few weeks!!!

Thanks,

Jono.

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Coaches move with your own groups through the stations. Warmup should include light contact... tackling from the knees, and escalate.

10 minutes per drill.

Matches at the end. Small, conditioned matches to focus on 1 key area from the session e.g. 3 passes before score, 3 phases before score, points for tackles not tries.

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Continuous Lateral Passing – Groups of 3/4/5 passing the ball in lateral direction. Last person in group 1 passes to first person in next group and drill continues.

Escalation:
Add loops / switches / miss passes / trail runners etc. Depending on ability/experience of group switches etc may need to be broken down into individual drills before being applied to continuous lateral passing drill.

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in Passing & Handling, Return to play, Rugby drills

Hone a better passing technique for your players with this coach-fed exercise which starts with a focus on one player at a time and their handling ability. Develop good habits for your players by encouraging them to turn their shoulders and hips to deliver short passes to team mates running onto the ball.

in Attack, Email Newsletters, Rugby drills

If our players communicated more effectively, then the ball carrier would know when to pass or when to take contact. Create more opportunities for this to happen by making it matter. The best exercises provide chances for players to see the value in calling for the ball. Here are four good activities to use.

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While our priority will be re-engaging players with games, we will still need to mix in "skill zones". This is another name for a more intense focus on a particular skill or technique. Have a bank of skill zones ready to drop into your sessions. Here let's focus on passing.

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in Passing & Handling, Return to play, Rugby drills

Hone a better passing technique for your players with this coach-fed exercise which starts with a focus on one player at a time and their handling ability. Develop good habits for your players by encouraging them to turn their shoulders and hips to deliver short passes to team mates running onto the ball.

in Attack, Email Newsletters, Rugby drills

If our players communicated more effectively, then the ball carrier would know when to pass or when to take contact. Create more opportunities for this to happen by making it matter. The best exercises provide chances for players to see the value in calling for the ball. Here are four good activities to use.

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While our priority will be re-engaging players with games, we will still need to mix in "skill zones". This is another name for a more intense focus on a particular skill or technique. Have a bank of skill zones ready to drop into your sessions. Here let's focus on passing.

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Ball Familiarisation – 1 ball per 3/4 kids in grids eg 7/8 grids with 3/4 kids with 1 ball per group. Any direction passing at chest height. Hands up with clear call. Add lots of variations eg 1 handed pass, ball in air, roll ball, score try and next player pick and pop etc.

Key Point: Pass & Move, Player on their toes!

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Tackle Technique Part 2

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Back

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Game 4: Table Rugby | Coaching Through The Game

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Game 7: Back To Base | Coaching Through The Game

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Game 7: Back To Base | Coaching Through The Game

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Game 6: The River Game | Coaching Through The Game

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Game 6: The River Game | Coaching Through The Game

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Tackling (Front / Rear / Side)

-           Falling In the Tackle (Knee, Hip, Shoulder). Players in a grid, when coach blows whistle players fall as if tackle has been made (Technique before actual contact)

-           Working in pairs A+B, player A jogs at player B (who may be down on 1 knee) and front tackle is made (same process for side and rear tackle). Focus is on technique. Build up momentum as players technique improves.

-           Circle tackle – Players form a circle and are given a number. Tackler stands in the middle and coach calls a number. When number called the player must run towards tackler and be tackled. Change tackler every so often.

-           Tackle bags / hit shields can be used to improve technique using various drills.

-           Tackling in grids – players stand opposite each other. When coach blows whistle ball carrier runs to one side of the grid and defender runs to the other side. Defender must stop the ball carrier from scoring a try.

-           Reduced / controlled contact game eg 6v6, 7v7, 8v8 to allow players to practice tackling in match situation.

Continuity (Before / During / After Tackle)

-           Ball presentation –  Groups of 4/5. Ball carrier drives into pad maintaining leg drive, hips square and protecting ball from defender. Player should fall to the ground using correct technique and ball should be placed on the ground at least an arms length away. Can be built up so 4 players are holding hit shields in a channel and ball carrier either places the ball or offloads the ball.

-           In groups of 4 or 5, working in channels ball carrier runs with the ball and then falls (knee, hip, shoulder) deciding weather or not to place the ball or pop the ball to a support player who must react to what the ball carrier does( give ball carrier option to place / pop / roll the ball). Drill should be worked up and down channels with enough time between each group.

-           In groups of 3 with 1 defender and 2 attacking players, the ball carrier tries to beat the defender without going outside the grid. If the defender successfully tackles the ball carrier then the ball carrier must try and off load the ball to the support player. Encourage ball carrier to use evasion skills to beat defender and try and stay on feet, staying square with strong leg drive protecting the ball at all times in 2 hands.  Roles should be reversed within the group.

-           Offload Touch – 6v6, 7v7, 8v8 etc. when ball carrier is touched the ball should be offloaded immediately to a support player within 2 meters. Ball carrier should be encouraged to pass and support.

-           Controlled game – 6v6, 7v7, 8v8. If player is tackled and goes to ground with the ball then it’s a turnover and the other team start with a tap off. Aim is to keep the ball alive.

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Introduce the Scrum

-           Individual body position – Feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, lift hips and open chest, 10 sets for 10 seconds working on good scrummage position.

-           Knee Slaps – Start by facing your partner and placing your right hand on each others shoulder. While maintaining a strong body position attempt to slap the back of your partner’s right knee. Change slapping arm.

-           1v1 scrummaging – With a partner (may want to start on your knees) work on the engage (must be in a controlled way) from a safe distance. Ensure a good body position and work on head position (look up) in the scrum. Work on bind between the players.

-           Once technique is sound players may take the pressure and apply the pressure(in a safe manner)

-           2v1 scrummaging – Ease into engagement, assume strong body position and bind on to opposition player(s). Involve movement, sideways, forward and backwards.

-           3v3 scrummaging – Eventually build up to 3v3 scrum. Emphasis is on good technique and all players should be allowed to try all positions in the 3v3 scrum (may need to be uncontested and push should be limited).

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Introduce the Lineout

-           Individual lineout skills – Jumper should have correct feet position, jump correctly and land correctly (all key factors outlined).

-           Throwing the Ball – In pairs start close together on knees, gradually increase distance with players back on feet.

-           Build up to 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 contests.

-           Introduce catch and drive principles.

-           Game of touch Rugby with scrums / lineouts introduced into the game.

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https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/rugby-drills-and-skills/rucking-mauling/rugby-drill-to-coach-safe-rucking/

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Safe rucking equals good rucking. This rugby drill session helps players get the idea that arriving at the ruck with a good body position will give them more power at the contact and will keep them on their feet. This low to high movement is like a plane taking off.

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https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/rugby-drills-and-skills/rucking-mauling/scramble-rucks/

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in Rucking & Mauling

Quick ball placement allows for quick rucks and chances to attack when the defence is at its most vulnerable. Use this activity to build up the essential skills.

in Rucking & Mauling

Use this counter ruck drill to help steal poorly protected ball and launch attacks.

in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills

The maul is a dynamic contact situation which occurs mostly from lineouts. There are lots of "coach" theories on how to set up and drive forward from a maul, some of which you might use. Now add the science to help you work out what works best for you.

in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills

Use this series of exercises to build up simple skills for rucking. It starts with low impact techniques before upping the level of contact in a breakdown contest. Contact needs careful management. Skills should be honed before they are put into bone-on-bone situations.

in Contact, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills

Plan for decision-making at rucks. First three sessions for technical, then a four-week planner and then four specific decision-making ruck attack sessions.

in Contact, Rucking & Mauling

Though you want to avoid defenders, sometimes you will have to take contact. Develop ways to retain possession at the ruck and after by keeping the ball carrier active in the tackle. Defences will aim to force turnovers if the ball carrier can't release a pass. If the ball carrier works hard to twist, turn and spin during the tackle, they will become less of a target.

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Even when your players run predictable lines, there are still going to be occasions when they need to support the tackled player when they least expect it. This session works on this part of the game. If the ball carrier is momentarily isolated, support players need to react quickly to secure the ball.

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in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills

A good catch starts the whole movement for a better pass. It creates time on the ball, which means the ball carrier can pass more accurately and, if necessary, more quickly. Here's a individual training idea you can encourage your players to use away from your sessions.

in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games

Turnover ball in a match is a pleasant surprise. But in training, it's difficult to replicate that quick change in possession. Here's how you can maintain the art of suspense to help players react appropriately. We know we should try to replicate game-like scenarios in training. Some are easier than others. But one I always...

in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games

It is an oft-used mantra to 'play what you see'. With this in mind, here's a fun way to ask your players to read a defence and react in a manner that brings success.

in Rugby drills

Practising like you want to play is a good way to prepare for matches. However, you need to make sure you get the balance right so that skills are not compromised in the pursuit of intensity.

This session builds on the tactic of clearing the ball from the danger area with two passes. The final game adds in the key factor of not knowing exactly when the turnover is going to occur.

in Rugby drills, Tackling

Even the top teams recognise they don't practise side-on tackling enough. Use this session to work on quick-to-ground tackling, against a dynamic attacker.

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Make sure your players focus on their roles. They need to know what they will do once the set piece has finished or a ruck has been won and lost. Improve your team's continuity of possession and defence by helping them to think ahead.

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We use I.D.E.A. as a template for coaching each game & activity.

Introduce the skill/activity/game – place it in context tell the players why
they are doing this.

Demonstrate the skill/activity/game - create an ‘image of the skill’ in the mind of the child. Don’t demonstrate what not to do.

Experience – let the children experience it and give them time before providing feedback.

Assist improvement – provide feedback during practice, but be specific, constructive and immediate, you DO NOT need to stop the activity to provide this feedback, use questioning to provide feedback. Adjust the constraints to the level of the players, keep the challenge appropriate.

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BS4 Deon Davids Safe and effective Tackle technique progressions 480p

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Intercept Tackle / 6 o'clock / 3 O'clock / 9 O'clock

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Intercept Tackle / 6 o'clock / 3 O'clock / 9 O'clock

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Begin with tackling from directly behind. Focus on technique (head placement, arm wrap, sliding down) Escalate by increasing the angle the tackler approaches from by adding an additional cone down the touch line (side on tackle). Changing the head position and shoulder... decision making in the tackle. Swap sides and ensure they use the opposite shoulder.

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This activity works on the ball carrier sprinting for the line while the defender tries to intercept him. Getting to the tackle can be as important as making it. This session is mainly working on chasing tackles, so is quite low impact.

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Split the Team, match up the Players with relevant partner.First to the ball attacks... Avoid sidesteps, aim is to have the defender win, encourage their teammates to support them.

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in Rugby drills

Dropped balls or loose kicks mean that the ball is on the ground and needs recovering. Use this session to work on the skills and decision-making around this situation. It's not a natural action to fall on the ball. Help the players understand how to develop this technique as smoothly as they can.

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Back pocket session: Tackle ball gauntlet

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in Rugby drills Dropped balls or loose kicks mean that the ball is on the ground and needs recovering. Use this session to work on the skills and decision-making around this situation. It's not a natural action to fall on the ball. Help the players understand how to develop this technique as smoothly as they can.

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https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/rugby-drills-and-skills/rucking-mauling/scramble-rucks/

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in Rucking & Mauling

Quick ball placement allows for quick rucks and chances to attack when the defence is at its most vulnerable. Use this activity to build up the essential skills.

in Rucking & Mauling

Use this counter ruck drill to help steal poorly protected ball and launch attacks.

in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills

The maul is a dynamic contact situation which occurs mostly from lineouts. There are lots of "coach" theories on how to set up and drive forward from a maul, some of which you might use. Now add the science to help you work out what works best for you.

in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills

Use this series of exercises to build up simple skills for rucking. It starts with low impact techniques before upping the level of contact in a breakdown contest. Contact needs careful management. Skills should be honed before they are put into bone-on-bone situations.

in Contact, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills

Plan for decision-making at rucks. First three sessions for technical, then a four-week planner and then four specific decision-making ruck attack sessions.

in Contact, Rucking & Mauling

Though you want to avoid defenders, sometimes you will have to take contact. Develop ways to retain possession at the ruck and after by keeping the ball carrier active in the tackle. Defences will aim to force turnovers if the ball carrier can't release a pass. If the ball carrier works hard to twist, turn and spin during the tackle, they will become less of a target.

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Even when your players run predictable lines, there are still going to be occasions when they need to support the tackled player when they least expect it. This session works on this part of the game. If the ball carrier is momentarily isolated, support players need to react quickly to secure the ball.

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Passing chaos

Develop your players’ ability to pass with their heads up to see what’s coming. Help them pass in corridors of traffic but with limited chances of collisions.

Avoiding collisions means looking ahead, but still looking to take a pass. Expect mistakes as players don’t focus on what’s in front of them enough.

ACTIVITY

1. Put three players at one end of the box on one set of coloured cones and three players at the opposite end on another set of coloured cones.

2. They run down the box, receiving a pass from a feeder at the edge and moving the ball along the line to other feeder.

3. They turn and repeat.

4. They should do one “there and back” before changing positions.

5. Restart if there is a dropped ball.

DEVELOPMENT

1. Have the players run back at an angle on the return leg.

2. The run at one coloured coned. Receive and pass the ball.

1. At the other end, they turn and run to the other coloured cone, now running at a slight angle.

2. Change the dimensions of the box.

3. Try using different types of ball: soccer, tennis or netball.

TECHNIQUE

Run straight, look up and pass when the receiver is in space.

Keep the ball above hip height when you pass.

Look ahead and then look at the receiver.

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Broncos - 10 mins
Tackling drill above 👆 15 mins
Rucking drill  15 mins so three stations with three pads and calling 1,2,3 named stations they run support runners must follow bag holders getting mixed in.

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Pitch layout for Sunday's technical session.

-Forwards can only play in the hexagon
-Wingers can only play in red zone
-Only wingers can score
-Fullbacks can only play outside the hexagon, but not in the red zone.
-Forwards can't score
-Blue boxes are for restarts
-Black boxes are for scrums (mainly for backline setup, attack / defence)
-Forwards can only secure possession
-Single phase in the forwards

Most of this is tactical positioning for the set piece etc. We will use further cones to help the shape of the backline. We have put half a season into the forwards... it's time now to invest in the backs!!!

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Pinched from SAR... key piece I took from the wider document was to look at positional specific warmups... no point in running the legs off the Second Rows, and focus on speed, and agility for the outside backs.

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Centre Switch

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Animated rugby moves, strategies and patterns to get you to the next level

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Inside Crash Ball

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Animated rugby moves, strategies and patterns to get you to the next level

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Blindside Wing Pitch & Switch

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Rugby Slate - Pitch to 9 - Switch with Winger

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Animated rugby moves, strategies and patterns to get you to the next level

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Full Back Switch & Crash

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Animated rugby moves, strategies and patterns to get you to the next level

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Subject to change for next season. These were the u13's regs from the 22-23 season