Get your questions in for Issue 8 of Coach's Corner

Agree with this, there should be no excuse for any professional player, back or otherwise, not to be able to do this at will. I remember granddad telling me I shouldn't expect to get a run until I had my ball skills down, that meant passing accurately with both hands and kicking with both feet (back in the glory days when I was skinny enough to be a fullback). This would have been under 12s or 14s I think.

Not sure — it might be more about body position than whether a hand touches turf. Putting your hands on the ground and dragging them back to scoop up the ball is supposedly not allowed and being policed by the refs. They want to see hands on the ball and a clean lifting motion — at least, that’s my understanding. Of course, it’s not always that clear-cut in a game!

Just for fun, a Waratahs question for that time "after the coach has gone": just how high does a dead cat bounce? And how long for? :)

That was how I saw it too. Looked like hands on the ground, supporting the body weight. There's something here about whether the hands can touch the ground on the other side of the ball before reaching for the ball. Can your hands lightly touch the turf, with no weight transfer? Or is a turf touch forbidden? If the latter, how does the poor ref judge "weight transfer" a.k.a. not supporting the body weight through the legs?

No. But I’ve gained some poundage over the years

:laughing:

Hi Nick I suspect that Dave Alred's presence at the Reds is bearing fruit. I heard he has actually been on site this season too. Seems like kicking from the hand has improved in distance by James O'Connor, Jock Campbell, Jordan P and even fringe squad players. Mac Grealy unleashed a huge punt for Uni of Qld last Saturday which surprised me. James has also been good off the tee. Have you noticed any difference?

If its not too late nick: 1) Brumbies have a habit of being quick out the gates. How can the reds counter this and why is it that the brumbies seem to fade? Do the reds now have the better depth/bench? 2) Linked to above, I'd love to see a breakdown of the reds kicking/exit strategy and how the brumbies back 3 fields kicks. Who is winning the chocolates here? What strengths/weaknesses do you see and how would you change how the reds do things or exploit the brumbies back field defence? The reds did this well creating tries in midfield, but struggled to exit their 22 for the first 20 mins of the game.

I prefer Teri Garr "would you like to roll in the hay" from Young Frankenstein. Not skillful enough to put the youtube thingy here.

I'll agree he can get rattled. But he has gotten the best of the ABs and Aaron Smith on a number of occasions. He is not so good at the next step up.

Have you ever had a foot massage.

Hey Nick, can you please explain why the skill level of Australian Rugby players is so poor. I can’t think of a player who can throw a decent left to right spiral pass, JOC can’t do it, To’omua struggles to throw a decent spiral pass off either hand as does Lolesio and they are most peoples picks to play 10 for the wallabies. It’s an easy skill to learn and can be practiced anywhere. In my opinion all backline players should be able to throw a flat, long spiral pass off either hand. The half-backs can do it, why can’t the players outside them? Is it a skill that just isn’t practiced anymore or is it being coached out of the game??

I believe I have the answer too, Piru. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt7WHdYOtso The refs have been watching Dick van Dyke.

Do you agree the advantage law is becoming a momentum killer in the game? Or at least in some games - an obvious issue being the inconsistency in application between referees. I also question the value of returning for a scrum following a knock-on after several subsequent phases of play - surely possession is the advantage in itself - regardless of how you use it?

I do recall when I began playing the receiver of a high ball could mark the ball in his own 25 metre area.. Initially both feet had to be on the ground, later changed to a simple clean take. This then became a free kick to the defending team… Under correction but the intention was to reduce the attacking sides going to to the high ball as an option.. Not saying it should be brought back but just a bit of useless information as I don’t have any questions to ask of Nick today.

It's still a 505/50 game in the final - see tomorrow's article!

This question will prob be answered in tomorrow morning's article Peter,in which the Suncorp scrums will about half of it... I don't have any problem with Tupou's angle either, providing he can get enough forward traction with it. I did have an issue with the Reds' scrum wheeling, but that seems to have stopped rather mysteriously - again see the article.

Why on earth not? They're so annoying! :silly:

Hi Nick, One of the many frustrating elements of Australian Rugby in recent years has been the inability to manage a game in the dying stages - be it protecting a lead or chasing a win. For many years the Wallabies have struggled as have most Australian Super teams with perhaps the Brumbies as an exception. This year, however, the Reds have discovered the composure or the 'skill' - which, as a Reds fan, is great (especially after many close losses over many years!) So to the question - how do teams develop this ability? Is it simply about talent and having a leader such as JOC to steer the ship? Or is it coachable? Or is it simply about experience? Would love to get your insight...

Ah I was searching for a way to reduce those aimless bombs by thinking it's easier to catch. Recalling the 2011 bomb defusal squad for nz.