Rugby Coach Weekly

Send us Fan Mail Refereeing age-grade rugby is rarely straightforward, particularly when you are also the coach. Dan Cottrell is joined by Advantage Over podcast host and laws expert Keith Lewis to explore how coaches with a whistle can create a safer, fairer and more enjoyable game. They discuss managing players, coaches and parents, applying the laws in context, finding the right position at the breakdown and knowing when to communicate or let the game flow. A practical conversation for anyone refereeing rugby from tag through to the teenage years. Five key takeaways Help the game happen Use clear communication to guide players, but avoid turning every decision into a coaching intervention. Prepare for the age group Check the regulations before the game, particularly when moving between different age groups. Referee the situation, not a script Consistency means treating similar situations similarly. It does not mean applying exactly the same response to every tackle or breakdown. Get close enough to influence Good positioning helps you see the contest, communicate clearly and make better decisions. Prioritise safety at contact Be firm about tackle height, players staying on their feet and keeping heads out of dangerous spaces. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks to Martin McTaggart, RFU Playing Pathways Manager, about the EDGE framework, a way of helping coaches, selectors and pathway volunteers think more clearly about potential in young players. Martin explains why current performance can be a poor guide to future potential, especially when players arrive with very different rugby backgrounds, sporting experiences and levels of opportunity. A player who has had ten years of coaching is not the same as a player who has only been in the game for a year, so why should we assess them as if they are starting from the same place? The conversation explores the four parts of EDGE: Explore, Decision-making, Growth and Effort. These can help coaches look beyond the obvious. Rather than simply asking who is the strongest, fastest or most polished on the day, Martin challenges us to think about what players might become with the right support. Dan and Martin also dig into the problems with one-off trials, the dangers of bias, the limits of “coachability”, and why better assessment needs “many eyes, many times, many environments”. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan Cottrell speaks to Mark Williams, head coach of North Division U18s, lead rugby coach at Birkenhead School, a forward's coach with Lymm in National Two, and Liverpool John Moores University director of rugby, The conversation starts with the value of coaching relationships, especially the importance of having trusted people around you who will challenge lazy planning, sharpen your thinking, and keep you honest. Mark reflects on working with Sarah Jones, a highly respected Level 3 coach, and how her calm, detailed approach has influenced the way he prepares and delivers sessions. The discussion then moves deep into the scrum, from the difference between loosehead and tighthead roles to how coaches can introduce scrummaging safely with younger players. Mark explains why safety, body position, foot placement, and stability matter before anything more tactical is added. The second half explores Mark’s key coaching qualities: honesty, respect, detail, clarity, and organisation. He explains how honest feedback changes depending on the environment, from Year 7 rugby to National Two selection conversations, and why players need to trust that feedback is given to help them improve. You can find more of Mark's insights on his TikTok page: @ MWRugbyCoaching . And his Instagram page: @ mwrugbycoaching To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail Pads, tackle shields and crash mats can be some of the most useful kit in a rugby session, but only when coaches know exactly why they are using them. In this 50:22 episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James discuss the role of contact equipment in training. They explore how pads can reduce impact, build confidence, develop body shape and allow players to enjoy physicality, while also warning against the false habits they can create if players hit them in ways they would never use in a game. The key message is simple: Equipment is a tool, not a solution. Coaches need to know when pads help learning, when they simply create activity, and when it is time to take them away. For any coach working on tackle, ruck or contact confidence, this episode offers a practical reminder: It does not have to be perfect, but it does have to be intentional. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail One in five players may be neurodivergent, and rugby is often a sport that attracts players who think, learn and experience the world differently. The good news? The coaching adjustments that help neurodivergent players often make coaching better for everyone. In this episode, Dan Cottrell and Stuart James explore practical ways coaches can create more inclusive environments without overcomplicating their sessions. The discussion covers the importance of language, understanding individual needs, and recognising that most neurodivergent players simply want to be treated like everyone else while having the right support available when needed. A key theme is clarity. Clear instructions, predictable structures, and simple explanations reduce uncertainty and help all players engage more effectively. The pair also discuss the importance of managing transitions between activities, often the most challenging moments in a session, and how giving players clear roles and responsibilities can maintain focus and engagement. The episode highlights an important principle: design your coaching with inclusion in mind, and everybody benefits. Just as accessible design improves everyday life for everyone, inclusive coaching creates better learning environments for all players, not just those who are neurodivergent. Finally, Dan and Stu reflect on the need to coach the group in front of you rather than the session plan in your pocket. Understanding your players, managing group energy, and being prepared to adapt remain at the heart of effective coaching. Key takeaway: Better coaching for neurodivergent players is usually just better coaching. Be clear, be consistent, be intentional, and focus on creating an environment where every player can thrive. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail Fault correction sits at the heart of coaching, but done poorly it kills flow, confidence and learning. In this episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James break down how to intervene with purpose , so players improve without feeling overwhelmed or criticised. They explore how coaches often chase a “perfect” technical model that doesn’t match the player in front of them, and why understanding stage of development is critical before stepping in. From knowing when to leave players to self-organise, to using “hot feedback” at the right moment, this conversation is about timing, judgement and intent. You will hear practical ways to correct faults without defaulting to constant instruction. That includes using demonstration, questioning, peer learning and even handing responsibility to assistant coaches or parents. There is also a powerful idea around asking permission to be critical, helping players receive feedback in a more constructive way. This episode challenges the idea that fault correction is simply telling players what to do. Instead, it reframes it as helping players feel, understand and own the solution. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest thing holding your players back is not skill but belief? In this episode, Dan Cottrell, head coach at Rugby Coach Weekly and S tuart James, coach developer at Guildford RFC, unpack one of the most overlooked areas in coaching. While most sessions are built around skills and rules, belief is often left untouched, yet it may be the very thing that unlocks performance. They explore why belief is not just mindset or empty praise, but a player’s identity, built around three powerful statements. I can do this. I belong here. I make a difference. When these are in place, everything else changes. The conversation dives into how coaches can actively build belief through session design, challenge, and, most importantly, noticing players. From small, intentional moments before a game to reinforcing effort over outcome, this episode shows how belief is grown over time, not delivered in a single speech. 💡 Key insight: The players who struggle most often do not lack ability, they lack belief. And that is something you can coach. If you want players who take ownership, step forward, and perform under pressure, this episode gives you practical ways to start. 👉 Because great coaching is not just about what players do, it is about what they believe they can do. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What really wins rugby matches — instinct or insight? In this episode, Dan Cottrell sits down with rugby analyst, journalist, and coach Sam Larner to unpack the growing influence of data in the modern game — and what it actually means for coaches on the pitch. From Six Nations trends to grassroots realities, Sam brings clarity to the numbers behind performance. Together, they explore why territory often matters more than possession, how 22 entries shape outcomes, and why some of rugby’s most quoted stats might be misleading. The conversation goes beyond the spreadsheets. Sam challenges the idea that the game can be “solved” by data alone, arguing for a balance between analysis and feel — and offering practical ways coaches can use simple metrics to improve decision-making without overcomplicating their sessions. You’ll also hear: Why kicking is often the right decision — even when it frustrates fans The truth about penalties and discipline How to use data effectively at grassroots level Which stats actually matter — and which ones to ignore Click here to buy the book. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks to coach and former professional player Sam Mace about the journey from playing to coaching and the lessons that shaped his philosophy. Sam played professionally in Major League Rugby with the Toronto Arrows , before concussion injuries forced him to retire early. That experience changed the direction of his career and sparked a passion for coaching that is now reaching thousands of players and coaches online through his SMPerformance platform. In this conversation, Sam explains what truly energises him about coaching. For him, the biggest influence was the feeling of being supported by great coaches and the opposite experience of feeling small or unwanted. That contrast shaped his commitment to creating environments where players feel belief, ownership and agency over their own development. Dan and Sam explore how honest conversations build trust, why players improve more when they understand why they are not selected, and how coaches can balance challenge with care. They also dive into coaching contact skills, discussing the technical side of tackling, the importance of control rather than aggression, and why the best defenders focus on precision and positioning rather than simply hitting harder. Along the way, Sam reflects on social media coaching, the limits of short-form content, and why great coaching is always about the human connection behind the technique. Key themes Building belief and agency in players Honest feedback and player ownership Coaching confidence after mistakes Teaching tackling through precision and technique The difference between social media coaching and real coaching If you want to connect with Sam, you can find his coaching content at SMPerformance on Instagram . To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does sustainable performance actually look like in elite sport and leadership? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan speaks with Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin , a high-performance coach and leadership specialist who has worked across rugby, wrestling, artistic swimming, ballet and Olympic systems worldwide. Lúcás helps leaders build performance “one brick at a time” through social learning, psychological safety and deliberate coaching design. From coaching in Russia and Kazakhstan to supporting Olympic programmes and even ballet companies, he shares powerful lessons about: • Why psychological safety is misunderstood • The balance between accountability and freedom • How culture shapes coaching effectiveness • Why framing matters more than motivation • How small check-in rituals can transform team dynamics This conversation goes beyond theory. It explores what it really means to be the adult in the room — to create clarity, set standards and invite contribution without losing performance edge. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be the adult in the room? In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Tara Lynn , transformational coach and trusted adviser to high performers who have reached the edge of what got them here. We explore how leaders and coaches can regulate themselves under pressure, avoid slipping into “parent” or “child” reactions, and communicate with clarity instead of ego. Tara shares her A.D.U.L.T framework, breaks down the difference between training and coaching, and explains why language, timing and self-awareness determine whether challenge feels like growth or threat. We also unpack: How to stay calm when others are not Why attachment to outcomes undermines leadership The fine line between coaching and rescuing How men can communicate with women without patronising When to engage… and when to walk away To find out more about Tara and get in contact with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taralynncoaching/ www.taralynncoaching.com To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan Cottrell is joined once again by skill acquisition specialist Job Fransen , Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University and Managing Director of SkillACQ. Together they explore what really matters in coaching practice design, feedback, and player development. Job shares why elite coaches rarely need “disrupting,” why most coaches intervene too quickly, and why sometimes the best coaching decision is to step back and let players solve the problem. They dig into: Coaching through mistakes rather than stopping at phase three When feedback helps learning… and when it creates dependency Why prescriptive feedback should be used sparingly How confidence and competence are not the same thing The controversial place for drills in developing short-term performance Why skill acquisition science cannot prescribe one “best” method 🔑 Key Takeaways Players often detect and correct errors themselves. Coaches may be over-intervening. Feedback is powerful. Use it deliberately, not habitually. Prescriptive feedback can create dependency if overused. Letting play continue through errors can enhance collective learning. Not all improvement is conscious. Players do not need to verbalise change to learn. Drills can build short-term confidence, but they do not equal long-term learning. The best coaches are obsessive about craft, but open to nudges, not disruption. There is no universal “best practice.” Context and coach intuition matter. Find out more here: www.skillacq.com www.skillacq.com/pathways/build To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What actually happens on a Saturday night when the final whistle blows and rugby stories still need to be told? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan is joined by Ben Jaycock, assistant editor at The Rugby Paper, to explore how parts of a national rugby newspaper are produced under extreme time pressure. While much of The Rugby Paper is planned days in advance, Ben explains how key match reports, ratings, and analysis are written live as games unfold and filed within minutes of full time, ready for a Sunday morning readership that already knows the score. The conversation lifts the lid on writing for readers who have watched the game, not those discovering the result, why creativity matters more than formula, and how editors balance honesty, criticism, and respect for players, coaches, and referees. They also discuss the importance of grassroots coverage, why The Rugby Paper resists clickbait, and what excites Ben about the modern game despite its financial challenges. A thoughtful insight into rugby journalism, storytelling, and why good reporting still matters to the health of the sport. Reach Ben on X Subscribe to The Rugby Paper Get weekly rugby union coverage from internationals to grassroots at therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development at England Rugby, for an open and thoughtful conversation about the state of the community game. They explore how rugby is changing at grassroots level, from schools and clubs to coach education, workforce models, and the rise of T1 Rugby. Steve shares what has stayed stubbornly the same over decades, what has genuinely evolved since 2011, and where the biggest tensions now sit between tradition, participation, and sustainability. This is a wide-ranging discussion about systems, people, and trade-offs, grounded in the realities of Sunday mornings, volunteer coaches, and the long-term health of the game. Essential listening for anyone involved in coaching, club leadership, or rugby development. Five key takeaways Participation and sustainability matter as much as performance pathways in shaping the future of rugby. Community rugby thrives on resilience, not reliance, with clubs supported to solve problems locally. T1 Rugby is designed to reflect the core logic and values of rugby union, not just offer a non-contact alternative. Coach development is moving toward mentoring, peer learning, and flexible digital access rather than courses alone. The best future experience for young players will prioritise enjoyment, belonging, and learning over rigid tradition. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to align dozens of volunteer coaches, hundreds of players, and a whole club around one clear development pathway? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Charlie Farrell , Age Grade Rugby Director at Banbridge RFC, to unpack the thinking behind the club’s new Coaches Playbook. Designed to guide player development from first contact to First XV, the Playbook goes far beyond drills and session plans. Charlie explains why Banbridge needed a shared framework, how the five pillars (Technical, Tactical, Mental, Lifestyle, Physical) were shaped by lived coaching experience, and the very real challenges of rolling out change in a large, multi-sport community club. The conversation explores volunteer buy-in, consistency versus creativity, session planning, player behaviour, and what “success” actually looks like in age-grade rugby. Key takeaways A shared Coaches Playbook improves consistency and clarity in rugby coaching across all age groups. Effective player development combines technical skills with mental, physical, and lifestyle habits. Volunteer coaches need support, mentoring, and simple frameworks rather than rigid rules. Organised, game-based training sessions create better experiences for players and parents. Long-term development and retention are more important than short-term wins in youth rugby. Topics covered Rugby coaching frameworks Player development pathways Grassroots rugby coaching Supporting volunteer coaches Coach education and mentoring Age-grade rugby systems Building club culture through coaching To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by performance coach Nash Cohen to explore what it really means to coach with conviction. From defining winning beyond the scoreboard to building trust under pressure, the conversation digs into principles, skill detail, and creating environments where players think, adapt, and grow. Nash is the Head of Player & Performance Development Jamaica UK and Programme Director Elite Rugby Academy. You can find out more about the work he does at: eliterugbyacademy.co.uk To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does real toughness look like in rugby? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Jack Heald , Director of Rugby at Barnes RFC and rugby professional at Felsted School, to unpack what toughness truly means in modern coaching environments. Drawing on over 15 years of experience across school, club, and national league rugby, Jack challenges the idea that toughness is about bravado or confrontation. Instead, he reframes it as consistency, resilience, and the ability to turn up and perform week after week, often while balancing full-time work, study, and life pressures. The conversation explores how tough, competitive training environments are created without tipping into chaos, how feedback should be handled to build confidence rather than erode it, and why core skill development is still the most overlooked driver of long-term player success. Key takeaways for coaches Toughness is about consistency and resilience, not bravado or aggression. Competitive training environments must be intense but controlled. Players need psychological safety to make mistakes and keep learning. Feedback works best when it is individual, contextual, and proportionate. Core skills like catch, pass, and running straight underpin everything else. Long-term development matters more than short-term physical dominance. The most coachable players often outperform early physical standouts over time. Instagram: @jhealdcoaching LinkedIn: Jack Heald To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What do you stabilise first when you inherit a team at the bottom of the table? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Ross Bundy , Head Coach of Leicester Tigers Women, about leading a rebuild in a high-pressure, semi-professional environment. Ross shares an unfiltered account of what really matters when results are hard to come by. Rather than chasing quick fixes, he explains why values, defensive standards, contact dominance, discipline, and law understanding became the foundation for long-term progress. The conversation explores how to be brutally honest while keeping belief high, how to simplify systems without lowering standards, and how to measure improvement when the scoreboard does not reflect the full picture. This is a grounded, practical discussion for coaches who are building from a low starting point and need clarity, patience, and conviction. PS, Ross is one of the youngest pro-coaches in the game right now - only 26! Key takeaways for coaches Stabilise culture before tactics: Values on and off the pitch must be clear, protected, and visible, especially when results are poor. Honesty builds trust: Players respond better to clear, direct feedback than vague reassurance, as long as progress is recognised. Defence and contact set the floor: You cannot compete consistently without collision dominance, defensive connection, and discipline. Discipline is a technical skill: Many penalties come from passive contact and poor post-tackle behaviour, not ill intent. Law understanding creates advantage: Coaching the laws deliberately leads to smarter decisions and fewer “cheap” penalties. Simplify to accelerate learning: Fewer systems, executed well, beat complexity when time together is limited. Progress is more than the scoreline: Improvements in behaviours, effort, and standards often appear before results do. Small wins matter: Tackles made, penalties reduced, values shown, and cohesion built are all markers of momentum. Catch up with Ross on LinkedIn Or Instagram To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan Cottrell is joined by Phil Kearney , Associate Professor at the University of Limerick and co-founder of an organisation focused on developing a positive community of practice in skill acquisition Together, they challenge one of coaching’s most ingrained habits: starting session design with drills, outcomes, and end goals rather than with how players actually learn. Drawing on skill acquisition research, coach education, and applied examples from grassroots to performance sport, the conversation reframes what effective practice really looks like. Key points covered: Why engaging sessions can still produce very little learning. How coaches often mistake activity, enjoyment, and busyness for improvement. What skill acquisition actually tells us about how players learn and retain skills. Why starting with outcomes can distort session design and decision making. Practical principles coaches can use to design practices that transfer to the game. The best ways to engage with Phil are: University of Limerick (professional email): mailto: philip.kearney@ul.ie LinkedIn: Active in sharing work on skill acquisition, coaching practice, and applied research. Suitable for professional introductions, collaboration requests, and podcast or event invitations. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Darren Rea , John Peel , and Gareth Lewis to explore how inclusive SEND rugby has grown from a few Sunday sessions into a powerful community movement known as KatieFest . Together, they share how simple, values-led coaching has created safe, joyful, and challenging rugby environments for players with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, while also bringing parents, carers, coaches, and clubs closer together. The conversation goes beyond drills and sessions to unpack confidence, belonging, routine, and why rugby is uniquely placed to adapt without losing its essence. From mash-ups with mainstream teams to national recognition and the ripple effect spreading across clubs and counties, this is a story about coaching with empathy, ambition, and belief. It is not about doing something “special,” but about making inclusion normal, visible, and lasting, and showing how rugby can genuinely be a sport for all. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1477604696958236/ https://checkout.justgiving.com/c/3830429 https://www.ukcoaching.org/news/uk-coaching-awards-winner-darren-rea-captures-hearts-with-‘katie-peel-haka’/ To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!