Introduction to
Coaching Development Programme
Youths & Minis
Youths & Mini Structure
Chairman
Youths &
Mini Rugby
Coaching
Co-ordinator
Minis
Head Coaches
(U7-U12)
Youths
Co-ordinator
Youths
Head Coaches
(U13-U16)
Recruitment
&
Retention
Our Approach – “APE”
• An coaching system
that is
Game & Team
– Appropriate
– Professional, and;
– Effective
• For the
– Game & Team
– Player, and;
– Coach
Coach
Player
The Game/Team
• Exciting and skilled
• A go-forward/running game
• Adaptive game allowing players express
themselves and play to their strengths
The Player
•
•
•
•
Knowledgeable and intelligent
Responds quickly and appropriately
Has self belief and fulfils potential
Performs his skills to a high standard
The Coach
• A clear communicator
• Has age appropriate knowledge of all
aspects of the game
• Is respected by players
• Allows players to maximise potential and
performance
How Do We Do It?
• There is a need to standardise the approach to
coaching and ensure a continuity of approach
• Develop effective coaching system for youths
and minis
– General Movement of Play (i.e. what we do and
where we are in open play)
• Develop and catalogue age specific drills
– Ball Handling
– Contact
– General Play
• Monitor progress
• Assess coaching technique – “develop the
skill not the drill”
• Address shortfalls
• Develop a mini to youth transition
programme
• Monitor talent and potential
Ball Handling
Contact
General Play
Example
• The following are the standards that could
be expected of a player at U12 at season
end
Ball Handling
Tackle
Body Contact
•Catch and pass to both
sides
•Tackle with either
shoulder
•Has ball in two hands
•Be stronger and more
accurate to favourite
side
•Be stronger on
favourite side when
under pressure
•Have knowledge of
most key factors
•Understands need to
protect ball (“body
before ball”)
•Low body position and
good foot placement
•Better on one shoulder
Coaching Sessions
• Planned
– Coaches know the plan!!
– Resources assigned
– Stations set
• Disciplined
– Speak to players beforehand
– Set the standard that is expected
• Skill focussed
• Strong Emphasis on ball handling/passing
Typical U12 Coaching Session
Area
Activity
Time
Warm Up
Stretching & Ball Handling
15
Drill (Passing)
“Depth Charging”
15
Drill (Rucking)
“Go with the Flow”
15
Conditioned Game
Incorporate skills learnt – stop/start – 20
challenge and question players
Warm Down
Helps prevent muscle soreness and
break downs by-products of exercise
5
Team Talk
Focus on key learning
2
Summary
• Continue to develop our minis and youths
coaches
• Set standards
• Support each other