RugbySmart 2015

With the rugby season in New Zealand now underway every coach in the country should have attended the NZR Rugby Smart course which is the one compulsory event each year.

Put together by New  Zealand Rugby with the backing of the Accident Compensation Commission, this course provides vital information on concussion, a hot topic at present, and injury prevention and peak performance.

In past seasons coaches have attended courses with practical components and discussion topics and have left with a Rugby Smart video and booklet which have provided some of the best coaching information of any coaching video available.

If you have one of these videos don't let it out of your sight. In fact choose some aspects and watch it again.

The course this year took a slightly different twist with a group quiz being the main focus which forced the coaches to think on their feet, not a bad skill for a coach, by completing the quiz in their group.
There were also the practical components with scrum and tackle safety.

The video this time around has been replaced with the relevant information being placed on this site, The Coaching Toolbox, under the heading of Rugby Smart.

The topics are the same as other years, based around the 10-Point Action Plan:

Player Profiling
Warm Up, Cool-Down and Stretch
Physical Conditioning
Technique
Fair Play
Protective Equipment
Hydration and Nutrition
Injury Reporting
Environment
Injury Management

There is a huge amount of important information under each heading and no matter what level you are coaching at, studying and implementing these suggestions will make you a better coach and help you produce better players.

Tackling is the No 1 cause of injury in New Zealand so that would be a good area to focus on for a start. As far back as the 2010 Rugby Smart there is a quote from Wayne Smith, who most would agree is the leading coach in this country, “Players for whom correct technique has been practiced until it is a habit are not only at a lower risk of injury – they are better players”.

Make it a priority. A short burst once a week with good intensity, continual coaching of technique, and a progression to include arriving players will make your team a hard one to score against and provide a lot of satisfaction as well safety.

I am not going to repeat what you can read in the Rugby Smart section, but I will say 'don't take it lightly. Study the information and use it as the basis of your coaching programme for 2015. You will be surprised just how much information is available that is relevant to your needs.

By following the recommendations you will also become a more understanding coach and earn the respect of your players and supporters.

Good luck.