Send us a textDan speaks to Stuart Welsh, founder of ALTA Education. With nearly two decades of experience in education, specialising in maths teaching and as well as coaching rugby in schools, Stuart is a well-sought-after speaker and presenter.He has taught and led teams in schools worldwide, authored popular math textbooks, and founded a widely-used educational website used by tens of thousands of students every year. He is passionate about research-based pedagogy and committed to improving teaching and learning globally through ALTA Education.In the podcast, we discuss:The importance of acknowledging the novice-expert continuumHow novices and experts learn differentlyHow to differentiate effectivelyHow experts are novices, tooWhat is variation theory in education, and how it could work in a training sessionIf you want to contact Stuart, email him at stuart@alta-education.com To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!

Send us a textWe speak to Ben Lazenby, Head of Youth at Wakefield Trinity RLFC in this episode.Focusing on game understanding we are going to cut to the root on how a player-centred approach might lead to a shared collective team cohesion.The first question: Is a player-centred approach to game understanding just us waiting for the players to give us the right answer?Previously, Ben was the Academy Pathway manager at Ealing Trailfinders, Academy General Manager at Hull Kingston Rovers, Yorkshire Carnegie academy manager. Plus had roles at Warrington Wolves and as a coach educator at Rugby Football League.His philosophy is to fill the gaps and provide the players and staff with what they need through collaboration, openness, and detailed analysis.You can contact him on LinkedIn: Ben Lazenby To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!

Send us a textDan speaks to Cath Bishop about what winning really means and how we can create the right sort of winning in our sporting environments.Cath is a highly sought-after consultant and coach, an Olympian, former diplomat and author of The Long Win, the second edition published in May. She is also a regular contributor to the Guardian and a podcast host.Visit her website here, where she offers lots of practical ways to improve your decision-making. You can also purchase the book. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!

Send us a textIn this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby with a focus on developing young players, coaches and clubs. He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager.In this episode, they discuss what players want from your coaching sessions. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!

Send us a textWelcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Jason Gilmore, Waratahs Senior Assistant Coach (Defence) and Australia A head coach.Note! He was with the Waratahs when we recorded this. He is now defence coach with Harlequins.Focusing on defence, we are going to cut to the root of who is the most important player in ruck defence.Previously, Jason worked for Queensland Rugby as Elite Development Head Coach Assistant Coach and Junior Wallabies coach, as well as four years in teaching as a 1st XV head coachPhilosophyCreate better men and players You can contact him on LinkedInTo find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!

Send us a textDan speaks to Tom Morris from Progressive Rugby, an independent player welfare lobby group founded in 2021 to drive change that both better protects player brain health and the game’s long-term future.In this episode, they discuss:Separate strategies to make rugby safer and more appealing at both the community and professional levelImproving education and the need for a concussion communication system in youth rugbyHelping young players understand the benefits of learning proper tackle techniqueImplementing a community of care in grassroots rugby and sharing best practiceWhether the age when contact is introduced in youth rugby should be adjustedThe importance of attracting and maintaining players in the community game To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!

Dan chats with Sean Phelan, creator of Fill Your Boots, connecting players and clubs for rugby games. They discuss the struggles clubs face in finding players, ways to grow the women's game, and retaining volunteers. Check out Fill Your Boots website for free connections!

Kris Stafford, a Rugby Development Officer and U.K Coaching award winner, joins the discussion about effective coaching strategies. He emphasizes the importance of valuing players and engaging with them personally. The conversation dives into creating supportive environments, using the STEP model for practice design, and balancing player guidance with autonomy. Kris shares insights on enhancing player huddles and leveraging all coaches in sessions, making game-based coaching an essential part of player development.

Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby and former RFU National Player Development Manager, shares his insights on nurturing young talent in rugby. He emphasizes the importance of skill development over immediate team success for U12 players. Gary discusses effective coaching strategies, including fostering confidence, acknowledging off-the-ball efforts, and implementing peer feedback in practice. He also highlights the significance of patience and verbal reinforcement in teaching essential skills like tackling and the catch-pass technique. A must-listen for aspiring coaches!

Send us a textWelcome to the coaching knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Callum Adam, Currie RFC Senior Mens Assistant Coach and Edinburgh University Women’s 2nd XV Head Coach.Focusing on defence we are going to cut to the root on what comes first, tackling or defenceAs well as coaching with Currie Mens and the Edinburgh Uni women, Callum has coached with the Scottish Rugby Union with their age grade development teams, plus a stint at Dundee RFC.His philosophy: To make a difference in people's lives on/off the pitch.You can contact him on: LinkedIn Callum AdamTo find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyAlso, 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!