1. Tony O’Brien MSc, MSc, BA (Hons), Cert Ed

2.  The course content is not definitive; it provides a
structured approach to coaching and building the
game of rugby. It will provide information to
develop individual and unit skills, playing
philosophy, game plans and team tactics. This will
be achieved through understanding the game and
player selection using a combination of group
discussion, video analysis/feedback and practical
coaching sessions.

3.  What skills do I coach?•
 What skills do we need?•
 How do I engage the players?•
 Which players do I select?

4. Individual Skill
Unit Development
Team Development

5. Individual Skills Team Development
 Passing oGame Structure
 Tackling oD System
 Kicking oWidth
 Lifting
oFlow Shape
 Footwork
Units Skills
 Lineout
 Scrums
 Buddy System

6.  A framework to coach rugby.
 Player selection•
 The individual skills and drills•
 The unit skills and drills•
 Team attack & defence•
 Themed games•
 Game/ player analysis

7. Team/ Squad selection
 Play Maker
 Finisher
 Ball Winner
 Ball Carrier

8. Controller and communicator•
 Team coordinator•
 Ability to see and play space•
 Implementation of attacking plays•
 Create space•
 Play in the runners•
 Positional flexibility•
 Team Defensive role – retains & controls shape.

9.  One v one attacking skills•
 Tackle line penetration•
 Accelerate into space/ gaps•
 Retain team width•
 Control depth and shape•
 Positive attacking options•
 Correct running line•
 Try scorer•
 Team Defensive role – control wide defence.

10.  Tackle/ “bounce” skills•
 Offensive tackles•
 Ground skills – jackal, win space•
 Ball support player•
 Retention of depth off ball carrier•
 Tackle assists•
 Team Defensive role–lead defensive line speed

11.  Positive ball carrier to defensive line•
 Ball retention in contact•
 Pull 2/3 defenders•
 Run the space•
 Correct running lines/ pull in defenders• Create
momentum•
 Leg drive•
 Team Defensive roles-lead defensive line speed.

12.  Passing- individual/ unit/ team•
 Team width and flow•
 Skill sets•
 Ball presentation – prone/ long present• Attacking
Contact area – buddy system•
 Tackle – 1 on 1, go dance go!•
 Tackle/ bounce•
 Defensive contact area – win the space, jackal•
 Defensive shape•
 Set Piece – Kick off, lineout, scrum•
 Teams games

13. Skill Sets, Width and Flow
 Passing and support techniques•
 Backs Skill Sets – smile, A, X, Dummy X• Attacking
Unit Development
 Passing flow and technique –
 Pass support
 Skill set development
Team Width and Flow video

14. Contact Area and Ball Presentation•
 Control the tackler – foot work•
 Work on the floor•
 The long present•
Buddy system – supporting the ball carrier
 system 1 - “seal”
 system 2 – “free”Unit

15. Bounce and Contact Area
 Individual Tackle Technique – 1 on 1
 Tackle/ bounce
Defensive contact area
 win the space
 jackal

16. Systems, Units & Sweeper
 Systems
 Defensive Unit Development
 The Role of the Sweeper

17. Kick-off attack
 kicking technique & area
 structure
Kick-off receipt
 centre, set, frame, fingers –
 one man lift
 structure

18. Lineout
 speed, set, lift, throw
 player roles
Scrum
 Profile, hit, feed
 Player positioning

19.  4v4, 5v5, 7v2•
 Touch/ touch grab•
 Off load game•
 Space game – 5v2, 6v2, 4v1•
 Tackle bag/suit games•
 Full contact grids and games

20.  Set Piece Video
 Small Game Video
 Types of Analysis