Coaching Blasts: What should we expect of a U14 rugby player, with Gary Townsend
Oct 4, 2024
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Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby Academy and expert in youth development, delves into the realities of coaching U14 rugby players. He discusses how expectations can often misalign with the players' developmental stages. Townsend emphasizes essential skills like catching and passing, while advocating for non-contact games to build confidence. Effective communication and recognizing individual motivations are crucial for fostering a positive team culture. Ultimately, nurturing creativity in young athletes leads to a more enriching rugby experience.
Coaches must align their expectations with the different motivations of under-14 rugby players, acknowledging their varying developmental stages and desires for participation.
Utilizing structured games and relatable language can enhance young players' understanding of tactical concepts and skill execution, fostering their confidence and progress.
Deep dives
Expectations of Under-14 Players
Coaches often have varying expectations for under-14 rugby players based on their coaching style and understanding of player development. These young athletes, typically aged 13 or 14, are still maturing physically, socially, and emotionally, meaning they cannot meet adult game standards. While some may wish to excel, others are there simply for enjoyment or social reasons, which requires coaches to align their expectations accordingly. Understanding the motivations of each player can help coaches moderate what they expect in skills like catching, passing, and tackling.
Assessing Skills Through Games
Playing games is emphasized as a vital method for assessing the skills of players, especially when determining their understanding of concepts like 'go forward' and supporting teammates. Coaches can use structured games, such as touch rugby, to gauge a player’s catch-and-pass technique while building confidence before introducing contact. Although the effectiveness of touch games is debated, they still provide spaces for players to practice necessary skills without the pressure of tackling. By observing player performance in these games, coaches can better identify which areas need further development.
Coaching Tactics and Decision-Making
Young players' tactical understanding can vary significantly, and coaches need to establish realistic expectations around their decision-making in scenarios like a 2v1 situation. Many under-14s may not consistently execute these tactical plays due to the varying reasons they play rugby, which impacts their learning and adaptation rate. By reframing complex terminology into more relatable language, coaches can help players grasp essential concepts more effectively. Short, focused drills can facilitate skill execution, and a threshold of success (like executing a 2v1 scenario twice out of five attempts) can guide coaches in assessing progress.
In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby about whether we have the wrong expectations of young rugby players.
He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager.
In this episode, they discuss what a capable 13-year-old rugby player should achieve on the pitch and what coaches need to do differently to ensure we focus on the right skills and game understanding.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly
Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!
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