RIAM RUGBY CLUB

Kenya Rugby Union
National Sevens Circuit

The 2015 National Sevens Series returns from August 1, running all the way to September 6. Be sure not to miss this exciting spectacle of sevens rugby that will not only unearth the next generation of Kenya Sevens stats but will also see the overall winner being crowned the Kenyan club sevens champions.

Round 1: Christie Sevens, Nairobi 1-2 August
Round 2: Dala Sevens, Kisumu 8-9 August
Round 3: Driftwood Sevens, Mombasa 22-23 August
Round 4: Prinsloo Sevens, Nakuru 29-30 August
Round 5: Kabeberi Sevens,Nairobi 5-6 September

Following on from our guide to The inside centre's role, this article looks at more skills and tips for your number 12.

Strike kicker or back up kicker

The inside centre (12) may also need to be able to kick the ball instead of the fly half (10):

Because it can relieve the pressure from the fly half. A good defence will target the fly half, probably attacking their kicking foot. A pass to the inside centre can gain some more time.

A pass before a kick will bring the defence up, therefore leaving more space for the centre to exploit with the kick.

The inside centre will often have a better angle from which to clear the ball. Here the ball will normally clear away from where the pass comes from. This is known as a "wiper kick".
12 wiper kick
Skills to practise: Most 12 kicks will be long, not high. They will also be at an angle. The inside centre will need to stand a little deeper than normal, so as to run forward to kick. They will also need to turn their shoulders in the direction of the kick before they receive the ball. This will probably mean they are moving away from the pass.

The centre will need to be wary of where the opposition wingers are lying, so they don't plant the ball down their throats. So, they should be lying deeper to receive pass with their shoulders away from pass and their head up to see gaps, and then head down to kick long for space.

Tactical kicker

Some teams employ the inside centre as the "tactical kicker". The difference between a strike kicker and a tactical kicker is that the first is a predetermined move, the second is "off the cuff".

Here the centre takes on a more dominant role in the backline. The fly half is more likely to kick only in defence, whereas the inside centre will be placing the ball over the defence to probe the corners or pressurize the full back (15).

It is very difficult to play both fly half and inside centre as tactical kickers, so one must assume the role. The centre has the advantage of a little more time to see the spaces and will receive a more sympathetic pass than the fly half.

The second fly half

If the centre is an experienced player, they can act as the player who releases the strike runners. Here the emphasis of attack moves further away from the pack, perhaps creating more space or gaps for runners. It also means that if the fly half ends up in the ruck or maul, then there is someone to take on the responsibility to make a quick decision. The advantages of this tactic are especially useful if there are two good fly halves in the squad.

The pivot player

The fly half can use the inside centre as a pivot player. Passing the ball to the centre and then running around them to receive it back, creates a number of options. First, it stops the defence momentarily, as they focus on the centre. Second, it allows the fly half a chance to pass the ball further infield, with a better view of the runners. Third, if the defence moves with the fly half, the centre may have an option to run through the gap.

Move caller

Like acting as the second fly half, it may be better for the inside centre to call the backs moves and allow the fly half to concentrate on receiving the ball and executing the move. The other advantage is that the centre is more likely to be able to see the wider picture from a bit further out. Second phase as well as first phase moves could be called.

This article is taken from the Better Rugby Coaching e-newsletter. Click here to sign up and get free rugby drills, tips and skills twice a week.

- See more at: http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/Article-157-75-Rugby-Coaching-Drills-to-Improve-Rugby-Player-Skil-More-coaching-tips-for-the-inside-centre-role .lzks9XLJ.dpuf

Better Rugby Coaching | More coaching tips for the inside centre role | Rugby Co Following on from our guide to The inside centre's role, this article looks at more skills and tips for your number 12.

Rugby drills using tackle bags


This man-sized tube provides you with a chance to improve your players' tackling skills. Follow these tips and drills to make sure you're getting the most out of your tackle bags.

1. Tackling drills

Don't let your players dive into the bags. Make sure they have at least one foot, two feet preferably, on the ground when they hit the bag. Your players also should change shoulders when hitting consecutive bags.

Use the whole of the bag to hit. Get the players to drive in at different heights. Some bags will come with the manufacturer's name printed down the tube. Use the letters to indicate the heights (e.g. the "N" in RHINO).

2. Carry the bag tackling

One player carries the bag forward and the second player then drives into it. This makes the tackle more dynamic. Carrying the bag means that the tackler has a moving target and has to adjust their tackle accordingly.

3. Plyometrics at the tackling session

Bags can be used as part of a plyometric drill session. Placed on their sides they become wide hurdles. Players can use them to bounce over using one or two feet. A hurdle course can also be made with several bags.

4. Step over

Used to simulate a tackled body which needs to be stepped over to drive. Having defenders on the other side of the bag, perhaps with tackle shields will promote better body positions. An idea is to get the player to graze their backside over the back, making them drive up from the bag in a stronger position.

5. Ball on top

Tackle bags can be used to simulate a turnover ball from a good tackle. The ball is placed on top of the bag. When the bag is tackled, the player or players need to recover the ball as quickly as possible and move with the ball to another drill.

Equipment care tips

Tackle bags are expensive pieces of equipment (but you know that already). Do not drag them along the floor to take to and from training sessions. This damages the seams at the bottom of the tube. This leads to a situation where the foam becomes exposed and eventually gets worn away.

Click on the banner for great value tackle bags from ramrugby.com.
6. Narrow vertical channel

By placing two tackle bags held up by players close together, a narrow channel is produced for a ball carrier to go through. This will encourage a good body position especially, with shoulders turning sideways to get through the gap - the "shoulder turn". This drill coaches the skills to enable players to offload the ball after taking a hit.

Shoulder turn tip

The shoulder turn
Use tackle bags to create the two defenders, D1 and D2. When a player reaches the defenders (fig. 1), they turn their body so their shoulders become a thinner obstruction (fig. 2). This will help them to ease through the gap, as well as leaving them better balanced and in a better position to offload the ball.

7. Bounce drill

Place the tackle bag on its side. Players approach the bag from its bottom end with a ball. They then dive on top of the bag. They will need to react quickly to where they land, either to hand the ball off to another player or recovering to carry on themselves.

8. Ball on the deck

Players put the ball next to a bag on its side and then another player has to reach over and pick the ball up. Encourage players to put one foot over the bag to provide a stronger base and also not to lean on the back. Pressure can be applied by making other players compete for the ball.

9. Hidden players

Tackle bags standing up make a good screen for attacking players when setting up a defensive drill. The attackers come from behind the bags, through different gaps and at different angles. Defenders then have to react to where the ball carrier is.

10. Carry bags for a warm up drill

A fun and hard-working warm up drill could include relay races which involve carrying a tackle bag. A two player or even three player drill. But remember, don't let them drag the bags.

11. A tackle drill with one bag

Set up three cones placed 1, 2 and 3 metres away from the tackle bag. Player 1 holds the bag. Player 2 hits the bag then retires to the first cone, and hits it again, before retiring to the second cone and so on, up and down the cones for three repetitions. The hard work comes from hitting the bag, getting up, repositioning and then hitting again.

- See more at: http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/Article-102-75-Rugby-Coaching-Drills-to-Improve-Rugby-Player-Skil-Rugby-drills-using-tackle-bags .BTqa3r2Q.dpuf

Better Rugby Coaching | Rugby drills using tackle bags | Rugby Coaching Drills t This man-sized tube provides you with a chance to improve your players' tackling skills. Follow these tips and drills to make sure you're getting the most out of your tackle bags.

Dispelling the myth of tackling

"All players should be able to tackle hard." This is not true. Tackling has an important role to play, but you cannot win games by just tackling and therefore you may need to have players who may not be as defensively "hard" as others. Johnny Wilkinson is unusual in the number 10 channel at international rugby. In fact, most international sides will have a less defensively strong
fly half.

Tackling is not just about bringing a player to ground. It is a multifaceted action which requires different techniques in different situations with different players. Hence rugby tackling drills and training practices need to have as much variety as passing drills.

Physical strength is not the key to tackling. Good tackling requires a balance of mental strength, technique and physical ability. There are naturally some better tacklers, but, like most things in life, better tackling can be taught. It takes patience and good understanding of how to create the right circumstances for all the players.

Rugby drills need not be a chore

Creating the right atmosphere in training helps make tackling drills seem less like a chore. Rugby drills and practices need to be set up in such a way that weaker tacklers are not in a situation where they may be embarrassed. It may seem perverse not to put them under pressure. After all, how are they supposed to make the big tackle in the game if they are not exposed to similar circumstances in the game?

However, I like to draw an analogy with goal kickers with a poor run of kicking form, because we all know how easy it is to knock a player who is not kicking well. Poor confidence tightens the mind and body, further reducing the likelihood of achieving success, the kick. The same is true for a weak tackler. Build their confidence, don’t destroy it.

Phil Larder, the former England defence coach, talks about the positive attitude defenders must have. Terms such as "fear" and "injury" do not help develop the right frame of mind. Health and safety are important to emphasise, but it is better to say "a good head position will ensure you land on top of the player", than "if you put your head here, you might get knocked out".

Better Rugby Coaching tackling guide

This guide puts players into the category that most suits them. The aim is to move the players into the "hard, terrific tackler" category.

The "hard" tackling player

Bad technique = terrifying tackler

Flies into tackles without fear.

Little understanding of what needs to be done to achieve a good tackle.

Can be effective, but also dangerous. Likely to be involved in injuries - theirs and others.

Can miss tackles because of poor technique, but not lack of effort.
Good technique = terrific tackler

The best sort of tackler.

Uses the right technique to maximum effect. Looks to make tackles happen.

Imposes themselves physically in the tackle.

Rarely misses tackles.
The "soft" tackling player

Bad technique = terrified tackler

Timid and avoids tackles.

When has to make a tackle, has little or no concept of what to do.

A danger to themselves.

Can miss tackles because of poor technique, but not lack of effort.
Good technique = tactical tackler

Does not have a bad technique.

Is not keen on making tackles.

Will only make a tackle as a last resort.

Can sometimes be fired up in a big game, however.
A key rugby coaching tip is to split the groups to enhance their individual needs, rather than lump them all together. Recognising where players are in the guide will enable you to differentiate your training drills more effectively. "TERRIFYING" tacklers could usefully spend more time on their technique, "TACTICALS" on their confidence and "TERRIFIEDS" on their remedial work.

Rugby drill tips for remedial tacklers

Here are some rugby coaching drill tips to give the "TERRIFIEDS" some confidence.

The ball carrier runs backwards. The tackler has to chase and put them on the ground. Develop this by making the ball carrier walk backwards and stand still. Then with the ball carrier moving forward.

In the same rugby drill, move from tackle shield standing, to tackle shield moving, to ball carrier standing, to ball carrier moving.

Put a piece of tape on the shoulder of the tackler. This is what they need to focus on when hitting the target. Then put a piece of tape on the shorts of the ball carrier. This is the target. This might be difficult in wet weather when the tape can fall off, but the pressure of putting the tape onto the hitting point works in the mind of the tackler.

It's a good rugby coaching tip to make sure the player tackles with both shoulders during a practice drill. A common-sense statement, but something often overlooked.
- See more at: http://www.betterrugbycoaching.com/Article-128-75-Rugby-Coaching-Drills-to-Improve-Rugby-Player-Skil-Coaching-tips-to-get-your-rugby-players-tackling-more-effectively .1EMDfPrl.dpuf

Better Rugby Coaching | Coaching tips to get your rugby players tackling more ef Work out your players' tackling mindsets so that rugby training drills and practice sessions can be directed more strategically at their weak points.