Coaching Guides

Practical guides for rugby coaches

Written by coaches, for coaches. Specific, actionable content on session planning, player development, squad management, and more.

Session and Season Planning
Session Planning

How to write a rugby session plan

The structure of an effective session, how to set a specific objective, choosing drills that serve it, and writing coaching cues that players retain.

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Season Planning

How to plan a rugby season

Mapping the season from the fixture list backwards, periodisation at club level, setting development goals, and adjusting when the season does not go to plan.

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Season Planning

Rugby pre-season training plan

How to structure a rugby pre-season, what to prioritise in each phase, and how to build a squad that peaks when the competitive season starts.

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Season Planning

Rugby periodisation for community clubs

How to apply periodisation principles at club level without GPS tracking or full-time S&C staff. A practical approach for volunteer and part-time coaching teams.

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Player Development and Squad Management
Player Development

Managing in-season training load

How to plan the training week backwards from match day, spot the visible signs of an overloaded squad, and cut volume before intensity when players are cooked.

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Player Development

How to track rugby player development

What to measure, how to assess fairly and consistently, and how to give feedback that changes behaviour rather than just filling in a form.

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Player Development

How to give player feedback in rugby

The difference between feedback that changes behaviour and feedback that is forgotten by the next session. Specific techniques for delivering development conversations that stick.

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Squad Management

How to manage a rugby squad

Availability, attendance, player profiles, selection communication, and keeping the players who are not in the starting XV engaged and developing.

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Tactical and Coaching Tools
Tactical Board

How to use a tactical board in rugby coaching

When to use a tactical board, how to design set pieces and defensive structures clearly, and how to present plays in a way players can actually execute under pressure.

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Coaching Cues

How to build a rugby coaching cue library

What makes a coaching cue effective, how to write cues specific enough to act on, and how to keep language consistent across your entire coaching staff.

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Put these guides into practice

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