Teach players basic skills, not to score tries

Anyone who has read any of my posts on this and other sites might like to go straight to the last paragraph because, unfortunately, it is the same as usual. The problem is with the coaches, of which I am one.

However, I do not coach like most other coaches.

I have never coached a team to score tries. It is always about the skills required to understand the game, individual and unit skills and the fitness to compete at their competition level.

How often have you seen an U16 coach trying to get the team to play like the Brumbies ETC?

After watching the Scots play tackle for 80 minutes, it just confirmed my views, sadly. Almost without exception, the individuals that play in my countries’ peak rugby team can’t play rugby.

If they had, say, some passing skills, balance in contact, continuity in contact, foot control, and an understanding of the game to make decisions in the best interest of the team. How about simply controlling and maintaining your feet until adequate support arrives before diving to ground at the slightest contact?

It appears to me that even these simple skills and techniques are outside the Wallabies‘ ability at present. Almost all the plays we see from them that result in points are rehearsed moves, preplanned events that more often than not fail anyway.

Every now and then they get lucky.

So where to now? O’Neill has made a public announcement that Deans’ job is safe. We all know what that means.

Deans can do the job, but he needs to shed the player power, and do it his way. Go back to basics and do not allow:

1. Cut passes
2. Outside shoulder running lines
3. No draw and pass
4. Inability to run straight
5. No support lines
6. inconsistent Rucking and Mauling
7. No continuity in contact
8. no physically dominate contact positions in possession
9. No clear, effective and constant communications
10. An incomprehensible line out
11. forward that are not physical, intimidating and relentless
12. Assist coaches that can’t coach skills

The list goes on and on and …

Stop coaching the team to score tries, coach the players the skills to score tries at the level they compete at!

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