It's all About the Game

Fuelled by a single-minded passion for rugby, Ready Rugby emerged on the Junior Rugby scene in 2005. Right from the very start our modus operandi has been built around one simple word which we felt had lost its place in the junior coaching world - FUN. There were many people promising coaching tips for kids, however, many had forgotten the reason kids and adults play rugby. We resolved to be the ones who did promise to create coaching programs that would not only be fun, but would incorporate the latest pedagogic techniques and knowledge.

Ready Rugby is all about the game of Rugby and using games to coach junior rugby players. We believe players retain more when they are having fun, and lets face it kids only play sport for fun!

Coaching is a difficult job at the best of times and junior players require a higher level of input to keep them concentrated. Through the use of games the players are drawn into the skill at hand and in turn the they have a greater concentration level.

Our games are developed around 3 key learning points, which through short clear instructions, teaches the young player the correct technique. The key is the continual reinforcement of the key learning points.

Young players aren't professional Rugby players and they shouldn't be treated so. Too often coaches find drills on the internet aimed at player development for academy or open age groups. With good intentions the coaches reduce the intensity and push the young players through the drill. The repetition and the complexity of the drill confuse the players and quickly the concentration is dropped making the drill ineffective.

The keys to good junior rugby coaching are
- Fun
- Simple and clear
- Repetition of key learning points

Coaching Styles

Autocratic Style - Telling
    * The coach decides on what is to be done
    * The athletes are not involved in the decision making
    * The coach defines what to do and how to do it
On a circuit training session, the athletes are told the exercises in the circuit.

Autocratic Style - Selling
    * The coach decides on what is to be done
    * The coach explains what is required and the objectives
    * The athletes are encouraged to ask questions to confirm understanding
    * The coach defines what to do and how to do it
On a circuit training session, the athletes are informed of the exercises in the circuit. The coach explains the object of circuit training and the purpose of each exercise. Athletes can ask questions to clarify any points.

Democratic Style - Sharing
    * The coach outlines the training requirements to the athletes
    * The coach invites ideas/suggestions from the athletes
    * The coach makes the decision based on the athletes' suggestions
    * The coach defines what to do and how to do it
The coach identifies a circuit training session. Athletes identify possible exercises for the circuit. The coach selects from the suggestions a set of exercises.

Ready Rugby has taken a piece of each of these coaching styles to create their own style,
Reflective Style - Play and Question
    * The coach explains the rules of the game
    * The coach directs play
    * The coach draws out the key learning points through questions
    * players focus on the key learning points while playing
The coach explains the rules of the game. The players play the game. The coach then asks what the key learning points for the skill are. The players establish the key learning points before resuming the game. The coach continually reiterates the key learning points during the game using positive examples.

The keys to good junior rugby coaching are
- Fun
- Simple and clear
- Repetition of key learning points

Ready Rugby has taken a piece of each of the coaching styles to create their own style,

Reflective Style - Play and Question
* The coach explains the rules of the game
* The coach directs play
* The coach draws out the key learning points through questions
* players focus on the key learning points while playing

Other interesting styles of teaching or coaching that have influenced the Ready Rugby style are;

Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) in Australia

TGFU & Motor Skill learning