It is with much less fear and a lot more anticipation that we line-up for the second match of the year. We’ve worked on a couple of things during the week but are acutely aware that we haven’t spend enough time integrating the forwards and backs (team runs).
The boys are eager to go and start off with a hiss and a roar. We dominate the first 15 minutes but just can’t breach the try line. Towards the end of the first quarter we coaches notice a change in the dynamics on the field. We are starting to lose our structure and dominance and the other team is getting more and more into the game.
The game, however, only really change after we scored at the end of the first quarter with a set move from a 5 meter scrum involving No.9 breaking away with No.8 picking up behind the scrum driving for the line.
It is with increasing frustration that the assistant coach and I observe our pack becoming less and less effective at the breakdowns. I am watching intently but just can’t put my finger on exactly what’s happening. I do notice less team work and too much tentativeness when we go into the rucks but somehow have a nagging feeling that I’m missing something.
A mindset of zero tolerance for mediocrity dominates my mind when I pulled the team together behind the posts after the opponents scored their second try. It’s with almost shock on their faces that the boys receive my outburst of frustration regarding the lack of teamwork, structure and explosiveness at the breakdowns. The ruck score at half time is 9 for us 11 for them and I deliver this message coupled a demand for more teamwork and aggression. We are losing because we are to indivudualistic and not aggressive enough at the tackle area and in taking the ball up.
The boys start the second half with a lot more fire and team work. The team drive-up under a blanket from the kick-off and we score within seconds after the start of the half. Soon, hereafter, we score another try but they come back at us as the illusive problem of the second quarter of the first half seems to manifest itself again. It is only after they scored -to take the lead, once again- that my assistant coach identifies the illusive problem. “They are sucking us into their game”, he says. The moment he says it I see the problem. They keep the ball in the air going into contact and are changing the rucks into an upright wrestle match which our little guys have no chance of winning. This way they suck our loosies in and then with netball like overhead passes they move the ball to their athletes in the backline.
I sprung into action. I move McLook junior from No.8 to No.12 to dominate the midfield defensively and sub one of my locks with my shorter but stronger substitute hooker. I move No.7 to No.8 and shift my No.9 –one of the best tacklers in the team- to the flank. This is what we are going to do I say in the last seconds behind the posts before the team have to line-up to receive the kick-off. One, tackle low and blow-over; two, on our ball take the ball to the ground when you hit contact and blow-over –don’t allow them to turn the breakdowns into an upright wrestle match; three, spin the ball wide after every second hit. Slapping my hands together for impact I say hit, hit, and spin; hit, hit and spin.
Our new defensive strategy of tackling low and blowing over produce immediate results. The first time they try one of their netball overhead passes to their outside backs the pass goes astray because of an excellent tackle –below the knees – on the ball carrier. Our No.12 kicks through and No.13 give it another nudge before falling on the ball for a try that put us in the lead. We start to dominate the collision area because of the low tackling and because their netball passes –now thrown from back foot ball-sees their outside backs buckling under pressure.
At increasing rate we start to turn the ball over and the hit, hit and spin tactic starts to work its magic. Phase after phase we start to string together and the backline regain composure with the front foot ball.
It is McLook junior that scores -after an outstanding scissors move- to seal the game for us but I am more relieved for the team than proud about my son when the final whistle goes.
The boys are ecstatic and rush into a group hug. I try to hide the tears as I lift my head out of the group hug but none of the parents notice; they are too busy high fiving each other.
Wow, what an adrenaline rush being a coach!!
“I try to hide the tears as I lift my head out of the group hug but none of the parents notice; they are too busy high fiving each other”
What a moment , CONGRATS McLook. I can see your passion for the game, keep it up and enjoy it.
again, well written article mclook!! i think if you keep this up you may even entice quite a few guys into taking up coaching!! 😀
Well done McLook – you have crossed the great divide – into the abyss !!!
Why do I say that?
” move to seal the game for us but I am more relieved for the team than proud about my son when the final whistle goes. ”
When the team features above personal allegiance !!!
Whaooo well done – the other boys will pick it up. Your use of McL jr will then be for the attributes he add to the TEAM – also in the team’s eyes!
This sentence blew me away!
The wins will come – once the effort and attitude is there – and you continuously tweak the strategies/process for refinement!
That the win arrived sooooo soon is a bonus.
Here is to continuous improvement in skills and passion!!!
O yes.
Most important for me (my selfish needs/wants 😉 )
Thanks for sharing with us !!!
Well done Mclook!! I reckon you’ll have all on this site rooting for your team before long, hehe!
Make my t-shirt a large please? 😉
Well done McLook. Really happy for you and the team. Someone reading this who’s not seen your previous article would never think it’s an U/11 team you are coaching..
fender@5 wrote:
Hahaha, that will probably be the first time ever that South African rugby viewers root for a New Zealand team. In terms of the T-shirt what you think should I put on it? Someting like: I support the McLook u/11’s?
Ashley@2 wrote:
Wouldn’t that be something. I can recommend it. Your appreaciation and knowledge about the game picks up significantly when you start coaching.
Birtie@6 wrote:
Thanks Birtie and for your remarks at the previous article.
The Brand@3 wrote:
It is a fascinating phenomonen. Previous years I only watched my son. Now I actually don’t know where is on the field most of the time. I am watching the ball and every player with a focus on making mental notes regarding what I need to do to improve the player involved in the action. After the match I can tell you which player need work on passing skills, protecting the ball once he goes into contact, Hip and back angle when he hits contact and drive in the rucks, and so forth.
Thanks for your remarks and contributions at the other article as well.
McLook – if I read/remember correct you have a 30 year karate background – yes?
Maybe you do – maybe not – exactly to what extend you are able to SEE and then translate that into minute breakdown of movement.
It is a skill – rare in rugby coaching!
When your players and parents value your detail technical ability – the sky is not even the limit.
Few rugby coaches really really coaches the detail technical stuff – you and other may assume such – but it rarely if ever happen.
Thanks for being a fresh breeze on coaching scene!!!
The Brand@11 wrote:
Yes, you remember correctly. I am still actively involved in Karate; practicing at least twice a week. The main things I find where I seem to see things other people don’t see is with regard to tactics, footwork and posture.
Rugby coaches wants players to lean slightly forward when they go into contact as it help you to protect the ball and help you to brace against the impact. This is fine for forwards but I want my backline players to have a more centered body position so they can use their feet and hands to create space at close quarters. Eye contact is essential if you want to hand-off or step away in the tackle to offload. You can’t obtain eye contact if you are leaning forward.
You are right most rugby coaches are really pretty useless when it comes to detail technical stuff. I’ve spent a lot of time with my team just re-learning them how to go into contact on attack and defence; Hips, shoulders, head and arms need to be exactly right and I work hard on the idea of dip and drive upwards into the contact with quick feet. It is hard to explain it in writing but body position and feet are crucial as it not only influence power and explosiveness but most importantly timing. Timing is the key ingredient that all superstars like Federer, Carter, McCaw and Carel du Plessis to mention a few have. Timing is the result of correct posture and footwork. Once you understand this a whole new world opens up for you.
Once of the best skills a rugby player can learn is for instance to swivel out of contact or off a team mate. You can rip a ball out of an openents hands and swivel away or you can drive into a ball presented by a team mate and then swivel away. To do it properly you need to get your feet, hips and shoulders in the right possition and there is a transition from leg drive into centeredness before you rip and swivel. Quite technical but very simple once you understand the mechanics. It does take a certain amount of practice to get it right.
I’ve spend the last three year working with my son on the swivel and he does it now almost automatically. The try he scored after the scissors move on saturday was actually a swivel off a team mate going into contact. The team mate was going to the left and into the tackle; he ran up in support helped the team mate drive into contact and then swivel going in the opposite direction. He can do it because we’ve been working on it for three years but none of his team mates can get it right because they are technically not centered enough and don’t have the footwork it requires.
McLook check out the comments in this thread – I think you might find them valuable.
http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/05/10/24205/
McLook thanks thanks thanks – THIS – is why I rugbyblog!!!
You have me drooling for your next technical sharing!!!
14@ The Brand:
Between Ruggaworld and Rugby-Talk…. the 2 premier supporter-driven Rugby Union web blogs, we have some very knowledgeable and passionate rugby fundi’s.
That’s the reason why I keep going with Rugby-Talk… it is just different and the passion shines through…. and that is rugby reward of the highest nature!
You might enjoy all McLook’s historical Articles as well…
Keep blogging!
GBS – Morne referred me to RT just after you started – I registered then – was off-line for 8 months and when Morne again referred me I could not remember my password hahahaha.
Yes – agree – I have enjoyed not only the McLook articles but also RT’ game threads.
Well done on great site and thanks for persevering !!!
16@ The Brand:
What is nice is that there is no rivalry between Ruggaworld and Rugby-Talk, but rather a full co-operative collaberation…. the way it should be and stay!
Hello all, I think the title of this thread is what Saracens are feeling right now! They just beat Gloucester 12 10 to get through to the Premiership final where they will meet Leicester who unfortunately beat Northampton in the other semi yesterday. I think even though he is not directly involved anymore MR Venter will be a very happy man, Well done Sarries!
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