Training focus April - May 2017
So everyone knows what we're trying to achieve with the players and the team, from time to time we'll update the blog with our current training focus. In that way, you can help us reinforce the messages we're trying to get across to the players, and also pick up on any areas you may think your son can put in some extra work while training away from the team during the week.
Training philosophy
I've been working with players of this age group in both rugby and baseball for 8 years now. Over that time I've read a lot of information on development of children in this age group (and older), and I've been able to develop a coaching philosophy off the back of it.
In general, skill acquisition comes from maximising skill attempts during training. Also, at this age group it is important to maintain engagement by keeping the kids moving as much as possible, and minimising the amount of talking "at" the kids (a hard learned lesson, and one I still work on!).
At Under 8, the my key focuses are on skill acquisition and helping the players get comfortable in contact situations. More developed concepts like game strategy and the logistics of playing the game are secondary considerations - especially in the early season. In general, it's ambitious to expect children of this age to develop understanding of the use of space and team work as concepts. Games of U8 rugby will more often than not be decided by a small group of players with advanced athletic ability - and that more or less is not a function of coaching or player development - or by adopting tactics that are effective at U8 rugby, but are of limited effectiveness at higher grades and hinder development of more relevant skills!
April - May training focus
With that in mind, our training nights will be based around maximising skill attempts in the core rugby skills of catching, passing, cleaning out, going to ground and, of course, the tackle (on both sides of the ball ie offensively and defensively). We will have a lot of repetition of drills during April and May, adding more in as the boys get used to them and allowing us to increase skill attempts.
While important, the logistical side of the game ie set phase, defensive patterns and offensive strategies are secondary at this early stage. We will look to address these areas during pre game warm ups (so please be on time for warm ups!!!). As the season progresses, we'll start to work on the logistics more and more, but skill acquisition will always take precedence!
If you have any questions about the training philosophy, or our early season focus or any other matter, please don't hesitate to give me a call, or grab me after training or games. Preferably over a beer.
Paul.
Training philosophy
I've been working with players of this age group in both rugby and baseball for 8 years now. Over that time I've read a lot of information on development of children in this age group (and older), and I've been able to develop a coaching philosophy off the back of it.
In general, skill acquisition comes from maximising skill attempts during training. Also, at this age group it is important to maintain engagement by keeping the kids moving as much as possible, and minimising the amount of talking "at" the kids (a hard learned lesson, and one I still work on!).
At Under 8, the my key focuses are on skill acquisition and helping the players get comfortable in contact situations. More developed concepts like game strategy and the logistics of playing the game are secondary considerations - especially in the early season. In general, it's ambitious to expect children of this age to develop understanding of the use of space and team work as concepts. Games of U8 rugby will more often than not be decided by a small group of players with advanced athletic ability - and that more or less is not a function of coaching or player development - or by adopting tactics that are effective at U8 rugby, but are of limited effectiveness at higher grades and hinder development of more relevant skills!
April - May training focus
With that in mind, our training nights will be based around maximising skill attempts in the core rugby skills of catching, passing, cleaning out, going to ground and, of course, the tackle (on both sides of the ball ie offensively and defensively). We will have a lot of repetition of drills during April and May, adding more in as the boys get used to them and allowing us to increase skill attempts.
While important, the logistical side of the game ie set phase, defensive patterns and offensive strategies are secondary at this early stage. We will look to address these areas during pre game warm ups (so please be on time for warm ups!!!). As the season progresses, we'll start to work on the logistics more and more, but skill acquisition will always take precedence!
If you have any questions about the training philosophy, or our early season focus or any other matter, please don't hesitate to give me a call, or grab me after training or games. Preferably over a beer.
Paul.
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