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Rugby Coach Weekly

Inside a training session with Fi Hayes, one of Ireland's top women's rugby coaches

Oct 25, 2024
Fi Hayes, a former Ireland international rugby player and current head coach of Munster Women's team, shares her insights on coaching at elite levels. She discusses the importance of pressure in skill development and emphasizes the need for clear communication among players during training. Hayes explains how to assist struggling athletes without disrupting flow and the significance of integrating diverse skill levels during drills. She also highlights her coaching philosophy focused on enjoyment, collaboration, and continuous improvement within teams.
50:03

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Fiona Hayes incorporates pressure and fatigue in training sessions to enhance player performance through realistic game-like scenarios and skill practice.
  • Effective communication on the field is prioritized, with players encouraged to vocalize actions to improve decision-making and team dynamics during play.

Deep dives

Fiona Hayes' Coaching Philosophy

Fiona Hayes emphasizes the importance of incorporating pressure and fatigue into training sessions, asserting that realistic game scenarios enhance player performance. To simulate game-like conditions, she designs drills that blend fitness with skill practice, such as a down-up drill requiring players to get up quickly and sprint over a distance, then return to a handling drill. This method not only improves fitness but also aids in developing mental resilience, as players learn to maintain focus and communication under physical strain. Hayes believes that this approach prepares athletes for the kind of scenarios they will face in actual matches.

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