Start Now!

‘The Season for Club and High School Coaches' - START NOW! - Ian Snook

Now is the time to gather your thoughts from the previous  season. What was good? What needs improving?  What do I have to do to ensure we are better next season?
There are many aspects to consider.  The coaching staff, management team, off field activities, the game plan, tactics and techniques, fitness and player  selections.
The first part of your preparation should begin right now as you prepare to coach under the new Law Interpretations.  Studying televised games  in some detail will ensure you have a good understanding of what is required as far as ‘Game Plan’ , ‘Unit and Mini Unit’, and positional roles are concerned. By studying in detail what you see happening  will  enable you to formulate your own game plan requirements based on ‘what you see’, the players you have available, and your own specific strengths.
To give you some idea of how to approach this you should read; “If you don’t know what you are looking for you won’t see it.”   Part 1 discussed the roles of the halfback and first-five under the new laws, and Part 2 looked at the roles of the backrow. There are no hard and fast answers to the many questions you may have. You need to study the players in 15/20 minute blocks and form your own opinions on what makes a good player and a successful mini unit.  Draw your own conclusions and piece together your own plan.
Of course you  can do this for other mini units:  The Back Three; Midfield; Second Row and Front Row. You may wish to look at the Tight Five as a group, along with the Middle Five and Back Five. It is up to you.  Scrums and lineouts could be studied separately along with the positional requirements. More information will be available in ‘The Coaching Toolbox’.
By the time you get your squad together early in the season every position, mini unit, and unit should have a list of requirements, and as well you should have a good understanding of the new Law Interpretations and how you are going to implement them. Don’t forget to bring your own personality to your game plan and tactics. What is going to give your team the ‘edge’?  Make sure you are having fun piecing this together and you know the team are going to enjoy what you are about to unload on them.
Questions you could consider as you study each mini unit:
At any given time in the game where are the players positioned and what do they do next?
Does it appear they are working together?  Is one player creating opportunity for his mate? What has he done?  Did it look like a plan?  Would it be good to make a plan?  What could have Player A have done to improve the opportunities for Players B & C.?
Look at the tactical and technical aspects and draw up a plan. How will it fit in to your overall Game Plan and Philosophies. Draw up an activity on how you might practice this pattern.  Start with one pattern for each mini unit . Discuss it with your co-coach and a couple of relevant players. The “buzz” about next season will be underway.