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Understanding the game

PLANNING FOR THE SEASON: 5- Understanding the Game - Ian Snook

Sound decision making depends on a clear understanding of the game conceptually, an understanding of the principles of play ; individual positional roles, a commitment to the game plan , basic patterns , and tactics.


The coach must therefore become a good planner and organizer based on a sound understanding of the game.  From this basis the coach must then improve the skill and technique of each player for his role within the team, as well as preparing him in decision making.


Conceptually the game is developing from a ‘stop-go’ pattern to one of one of more constant motion, and has developed from very much a game with many players in a concentrated area trying to create opportunities for the remainder, to situations whereby scrums and mauls are the only constant time where there are players in a concentrated area. However, this pattern is still the basis of any game.  JJ Stewart used to refer to this concept as “The City and The Country”.  The French often talk about “Grouping and Spreading”, and in England it is sometimes referred to as “ Concentration and Dispersal”.


So the starting point for a coach is to understand how the concept of ‘grouping and spreading’ both offensively and defensively, can be best utilized in respect to his team and the opposition.


This concept must be looked at alongside whatever you decide are your “Principles of Play”.   Look at the principles of play as they happen.  Some examples are:  1- Get the ball – go forward – support – continuity – pressure.   2- Possession – position – pace – power – pressure – penetration.  3- (Defensive) Get in a line – come up in a line – pressure together – secure man and ball – turnover.   The principles of play are a checklist of what you want to happen each time.


Each player must know what his major roles are within the set piece and also within phase play. Nowadays, with the game in motion a lot more, every player’s role can change rapidly, so he needs to grasp some core skills and understandings particular to his strengths alongside his basic requirements at set piece.  These can include particular strengths such as being a ball carrier or big tackler, which must be assimilated in to the game plan.


The Game Plan should be drawn up once the ‘Team Profile’ has been analysed. The team profile is an inventory of the strengths and weaknesses within the squad. Once this is achieved the Game Plan is the blue print to which a team plays during the season, and which will require some flexibility and fine tuning.


The Game Plan is your strategy that you intend to employ throughout the season. It prescribes the characteristics in which you will pressurize your opponents on attack and defence. It is an overview of your philosophies on how the game should be played.


Some common game plans referred to are; ‘The 10 Man Game’ where obviously a lot of kicking is done to create pressure and relieve pressure; ‘The Physical Game’ where the forwards create pressure through their physical domination; and ‘The Motion Game’ where the team create pressure through keeping the ball in hand, quite often from all parts of the field.  You can make up your own game plan and name and use it as a constant reinforcement with the team.


The Basic Patterns are the strategies within the overall concept that you will use regularly and which obviously suit your philosophies and the strengths and weaknesses of your team.  These patterns can be practiced in mini unit, unit and team situations and will all come together  in the Game Plan.  (You should read “The Playing Philosophy” article for ideas on how to establish and develop your basic patterns.


Tactics are a prepared plan within a  particular game to create pressure on a specific opposition based on their strengths and weaknesses, and the weather conditions.  They are really a fine tuning of a particular part of your basic patterns in most cases, and provide a good focus point for your team during the week.


It may mean kicking more or kicking less; it may mean utilizing the blindside regularly and attacking their wings; it may mean attacking a weaker scrum. The possibilities are endless.  Only choose one or two tactics each week to focus on and spend plenty of time getting them ‘right’.


This planning and preparation should be in place by the time you hit the pre-season games with the fine tuning taking place from then on. The specific tactics can only take shape once you are happy that the Game Plan and Patterns are understood and being carried out.

SUMMARY
•    Devise a Game Plan based on your coaching philosophy and the strengths and weaknesses of your players.
•    Plan your Patterns of Play based on the  Game Plan and the Principles of Play.
•    Make sure the team understands what you are trying to achieve and how you intend going about it.  The players must ‘buy in’ to this or it will not work, so adjust as necessary.
•    Begin by practicing the ‘key aspects’ of your plan. Fine tune as you go. Plenty of team work is important. Think about different methods of achieving the same objective.  Make sure there are plenty of opposed and pressurized sessions.snookyweb
•    Introduce new tactics when the team is ready.