Coach/Referee
MARF supports the development of rugby by conducting coach accreditation clinics within the Twin Cites area. "Click here" to go to the USA Rugby site to find out more information on how to register for upcoming training's, certification, and events.
For upcoming clinics
Local Contact
(Minnesota):
- Youth Rugby Director - Kurt Hagman - kurth@hamaninc.com
- Youth Rugby Assistant Director - Megan Braun - mbraun@aloeup.com
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Coaching Clinics
MARF’s “Teaching Defensive Skills” Coaching Workshop
with Barb Fugate, Head Coach of the Nationally Ranked Minnesota Valkyries
At the latest MARF coaching workshop, the room was full: veteran coaches of over 20 years, a few new recruits to the sport of rugby, coaches of high school, college, and club sides, and a good representation of both men and women. Barb started with a brainstorming session on the challenges our teams face in DEFENSE:
- Field vision, anticipating offense, responding effectively
- Aggression in play, mind set
- Communicating, responsibility and trust
- Adjusting
- Organization and alignment
The rest of the night’s course applied coach experience to the techniques and skills necessary to move a successful defensive line, including ball pick-up, punting, evasive running, and tackling. Barb reminded us over and over that “The skillful player performs the appropriate technique efficiently at the right time.” When performing skillfully, players and coaches must keep in mind: field geography, opposition (awareness of matches and mismatches), supporting players, timing (the clock), game situation (the score), and match conditions (pitch and weather conditions). These are the cues that move technique to skill.
The difference in between skill and technique, to a coach, is to always keep the context within setting the parameters for a given drill. Practicing technique alone will not improve skill. Coaches, ask yourself, “How can we improve these techniques incorporate skill-building?” Here are some hints:
- Give players cues. Tell them what deciding factors are in decision-making on the field (and it’s often split-second or reactive decision-making…so practice like you’ll play!).
- In a drill, change the parameters. Increase space or grid size, increase pace, increase pressure, change match conditions.
- Keep asking the players, “What would this look like in a game situation?”
Tips on Tackling
Q. Going into a tackle, what are the
cues?
A. Field geography, opposition, support, the clock, the score, and conditions.
Q. What does the tackler need to think about?
A. Quality of the tackle and quality of possession
Q. What should the
result of a tackle be?
A. Either WIN THE BALL (go into it TO win the ball) OR concede the
tackle, line up for the next phase, and build the defense from the
inside out.
For more tips, ideas, drills, and other rugby coaching resources, go online: