Introduction
Welcome to the Bob Dwyer Rugby Workshops Coaching Manual
The structure of the manual is
based on my belief that all quality
play in rugby derives from quality
execution of quality technique.
Insistence on quality technique, executed under the pressure of
game-related practice sessions, is therefore essential if we are
to achieve our goal of successful performance. This manual will
give you the direction to enable you to achieve this.
An American Football coach once said, “You can’t win without
good players, but you can sure lose with them. This is where
the good coach comes in!”
I believe that a good coach is one who has the enthusiasm,
the determination and the courage to insist on quality execution
of quality technique at all times. It’s a Bob Dwyer quote which
says, “Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice
makes perfect.” It will require all of these qualities, all of the
time, to achieve perfection. Don’t let your players down!
© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
BOB DWYER RUGBY WORKSHOPS | Coaching Manual
PAGE 3
Each Practice in the manual – there are 77 of them – lists the
Key Principles of quality technique which are essential for quality
execution. These lists must become an intrinsic part of every
coach’s work. My advice is that you must never allow faulty
technique to go uncorrected at any practice session. This will
require vigilance!
As you progress through the manual, constant reference back to
the Essential Level section will be required. I recommend that
you design warm-up sessions which contain groupings of all of the
basic elements of the game. These basic elements are the tools
of trade which every player needs – properly sharpened and ready
for use. Adherence to this philosophy will prove most rewarding.
Quality preparation for the game of rugby requires a number of
separate elements. The most important is quality, game-related
rugby practice and I am confident that the bobdwyerrugby.com
website will provide that. Other elements are physical preparation
– fitness, strength and speed-agility-quickness (SAQ®) – and
mental preparation.
Detailed information can be found in Links for SAQ®, and in Coaching
Support/Psychological Skills for mental preparation.
How to use this Manual
F rom beginning to end, the Coaching Manual is ‘the perfect working rugby curriculum’.
As is normal with a curriculum, it should be followed in sequence
– as it is presented. Later Sessions will require the knowledge and
expert application of earlier sessions. Indeed, consistent revision of
the ‘essential basics’ should form a part of every Practice.
The Manual is divided into three Sections:
Section 1. Essential Level
Section 2. Intermediate Level
Section 3. Advanced Level
Each Section is divided into the following sub-sections:
Attack – General
Attack from Set Pieces
Attack – Counter-attack
Defence
Kicking
Each Section contains a number of Sessions, each of which is
designed to last about 90 minutes – the length of the average
coaching session.
Each Session contains a number of Practices.
Each Practice is designed to develop individual technique leading
to skill application and culminating in a game-related scenario
which requires the application of all the practices in this session.
© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
BOB DWYER RUGBY WORKSHOPS | Coaching Manual
PAGE 5
For example, Session 1 begins with Practice 1: Catch and Pass, and
continues through Practices 2: Straight Running and 3: Clearing Pass.
This Session culminates in Practice 4: Taking the Overlap which
requires the game application of Practices 1, 2 and 3 combined.
It is very important that the session ends with the game application
of the acquired techniques. This gives meaning to each of the skills
and their place in the ‘real game’. It will give satisfaction to the players
– and do wonders for the coach’s standing!
The application of our philosophy – “practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect” – will ensure that you place
great emphasis on technical competence, that is, performing the
techniques and skills of the game perfectly at all your coaching sessions.
Uncorrected poor technique will undoubtedly limit the development
of your team and the level of your team’s performance.
This will eventually frustrate both you the coach, the players and
your supporters!
“When I analyse a game, whether it be junior, senior or
international, I feel that I can attribute all so-called errors, or
poor choices of option, to flaws in technique. I can see poor
passing technique, poor catching technique, poor lines of
support, poor re-alignment, poor tackle technique, poor kicking
technique, poor communication, poor visual
awareness, poor kick return, poor kick chase
– these can also lead to poor discipline.”
Dedication and
Commitment
As a coach, you must:
Be a good communicator
Have courage and enthusiasm
Invest in your development
Always prepare thoroughly
Be a good role model.
ESSENTIAL LEVEL Introduction
ESSENTIAL LEVEL | Introduction
PAGE 17© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ESSENTIAL LEVEL
The Essential Level Section provides you with the building blocks
which are fundamental and “essential” for the accurate execution of
all and any play in the game of Rugby.
As you move forward through the Intermediate Level and
Advanced Level Sections, a revision of each of these building blocks
should form part of each of your practice sessions.
You may perhaps design warm-up sessions which contain various
combinations of each of the practices detailed in this section.
A WORD Of WARNING: DON’T mISTAKE “ESSENTIAL” fOR “SImpLE”.
My experience is that many elite teams cannot accurately, let alone
perfectly, execute many of the exercises listed in this section. This
does not mean that they are not winning teams, but it does mean
that they are not playing to their potential, surely a sad situation.
Neglect these sessions at your peril.
For tips on Effective Coaching, see “Coaching Support” at www.bobdwyerrugby.com
ATTACK – GENERAL Page
SESSION 1 1. Catch and Pass ......................................................................................................20
2. Straight Running ................................................................................................... 22
3. Clearing Pass ......................................................................................................... 24
4. Taking the Overlap – Man-on-man Defence ............................................ 26
SESSION 25. Dummy Pass ......................................................................................................... 28
6. Straight Running ...................................................................................................30
7. Unders Run ............................................................................................................ 32
8. Circle Ball ................................................................................................................34
9. Taking the Overlap/Gap – Drift Defence ...................................................36
SESSION 310. Support Play ........................................................................................................38
11. Realignment .........................................................................................................40
12. Tackle Contest Options ...................................................................................44
13. Continuous Play .................................................................................................48
Summary of Essential Level Attack ....................................................................50
ATTACK fROm SET PIECES
SESSION 4 51
14. Individual Roles .................................................................................................. 52
15. Attack from Scrums ..........................................................................................56
SESSION 516. Attack from Lineouts ........................................................................................58
ESSENTIAL LEVEL
© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
ESSENTIAL LEVEL | Table of Contents
PAGE 19
ATTACK – COUNTER-ATTACK Page
SESSION 6 61
17. Take the Overlap – Man-on-man Defence .............................................. 62
18. Take the Gap – Drift Defence ......................................................................64
19. Beating the First Line .......................................................................................66
DEfENCE
SESSION 7 – Positioning Attackers and Making the Tackle20. Defensive Footwork ......................................................................................... 70
21. Positioning the Attacker .................................................................................. 72
22. Upper Body Driving Tackle ............................................................................ 73
23. Lower Body Driving Tackle ............................................................................ 74
24. Tackle Channel ................................................................................................... 75
SESSION 8 – Front-On Tackle and Chasing/Covering Tackle25. Front-on Driving Tackle ................................................................................... 76
26. Front-on Passive Tackle .................................................................................. 78
27. Narrow Tackle Channel ...................................................................................80
28. Chasing/Covering Tackle ............................................................................... 82
KICKING
SESSION 9 – Types of Kick Practices29. Spiral Punt ...........................................................................................................84
30. Grubber ................................................................................................................88
31. Chip Kick ...............................................................................................................90
32. Drop Punt ............................................................................................................ 92
33. Place Kick .............................................................................................................94
34. Drop Kick .............................................................................................................96
35. Banana Kick ........................................................................................................98
T he Intermediate Section advances our philosophy of moving
from technique to skill acquisition to their application in game-
related scenarios – in attack, counter-attack, defence and kicking.
This Section builds on Essential and combines various skills ,
acquired therein. Don’t forget! This is a Working Curriculum and,
for best results, must be followed accordingly.
Successful attack is not about scoring tries, nor is it about making line
breaks. It is purely and simply about “asking questions of the defence”. Coaches will learn how to compose challenging questions!
Accurate support play is vital for fluency in attack. Coaches will learn
all aspects of support play – from inside-out and from outside-in.
Options available at the tackle contest are expanded, thus enabling
the attack to pose still more questions to the defence.
The fundamentals of team attack, from both scrums and lineouts, are
introduced. Accuracy in this area is vital, although sadly not common,
if we are to impose our attack on the opposition.
Intermediate Defence will cover both unit and team defence,
including phase-play defence. Our unit skills move forward to
‘combination tackling’ and ‘2 v 1’ and ‘3 v 2’. Defending at the tackle
contest is covered in detail. Intermediate Kicking moves forward
into the area of Kick Selection, allowing the coach to apply pressure
to the kicker in his choice of options.
ATTACK – GENERAL Page
SESSION 10 36. Support from Inside to Out ..................................................................104
37. Taking the Overlap/Gap..........................................................................106
An Introduction to the Intermediate Level
© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
INTERmEDIATE LEVEL | Table of Contents
PAGE 103
SESSION 11 Page38. Support from Outside to In ...................................................................11039. Taking the Overlap/Gap ..........................................................................114
SESSION 1240. Overs Run .....................................................................................................11641. Tackle Contest Options ............................................................................118
ATTACK fROm SET PIECES
SESSION 1342. Attack from Scrums.................................................................................. 122
SESSION 14 43. Attack from Lineouts ............................................................................... 128
COUNTER-ATTACK
SESSION 15 44. Counter-attack from a Kick ................................................................... 130
SESSION 16 45. Counter-attack from a Ball Turnover .................................................. 134
DEfENCE
SESSION 17 - Intermediate Defence 13946. Combination Tackling ..............................................................................14047. Combination Tackling – “2 v 1” and “2 v 2” ....................................14248. Combination Tackling – “3 v 2” .......................................................... 14549. Defending at the Breakdown ............................................................... 14650. Defending No.9 Pass to First Receiver ............................................. 14851. Big Defensive Practice ............................................................................. 150
KICKING
SESSION 18 52. Kick selection ..............................................................................................15253. Kick selection – Pressure ...................................................................... 15454. Kick selection – Grubber/Chip Kick .................................................. 155
T he Advanced Section will enable you to explore the old saying,
“There is no defence to perfect attack!”
Attack covers building and sustaining pressure on defences through
urgency and continuity of attack. The Practices will enable both the
coach and the players to become more instinctive and less
prescriptive. All of the phases of play will provide easily-read options
which will allow for instinctive recognition of the opportunities
available. This will lead to clinical execution and more tries.
Defence explains various patterns, including “back-three” and “back-
four”, and the principles of “kick-chase”. The meaning of, and
necessity for, “shape” in our defensive line is explained and practised.
Kicking offers specific game-related scenarios for the various kick
options and poses more questions for the defence to answer.
Throughout this Advanced Section, allow the players “to explore the practice”. You may be surprised with the outcomes.
ATTACK – GENERAL Page
SESSION 19 160
55. Tackle Contest Options .......................................................................... 164
56. Continuous Play ........................................................................................ 168
57. More Tackle Contest Options ............................................................... 172
58. Continuous Play ........................................................................................ 176
SESSION 2059. Cross-field Running .................................................................................. 178
60. Continuous Play ........................................................................................ 182
An Introduction to the Advanced Level
ADVANCED LEVEL | Table of Contents
PAGE 159© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
ATTACK fROm SET PIECES Page
SESSION 21 61. Attack from Scrums – Back Row Plays .............................................184
62. More Back Row Plays ..............................................................................188
SESSION 22 63. Attack from Lineouts ...............................................................................190
COUNTER-ATTACK
SESSION 23 64. Counter-attack from a Kick ................................................................... 192
DEfENCE
SESSION 24 65. Defending a Ruck ..................................................................................... 194
66. Counter-rucking ......................................................................................... 196
67. Defending a Maul ......................................................................................197
SESSION 25 68. Recognising the Threat ........................................................................... 198
69. Close-quarter Spotting ............................................................................200
70. Defending the Inside Shoulder ............................................................ 202
71. Maintaining Shape and Communication ..........................................204
KICKING
SESSION 26 72. Game-specific – Box Kick ......................................................................206
73. Game-specific – Drop Punt for Field Position ............................... 207
74. Drop Punt to Wide Receiver .................................................................208
75. Game-specific – Banana Kick .............................................................. 210
76. Game-specific – Banana Bomb ...........................................................212
77. Game-specific v Instinctive .....................................................................214
KEY PRINCIPLES
Do not interfere with the intentions of the ball-carrier. Stay on hand but with enough width and depth to allow you to stay with the ball-carrier as he changes his line or pace.
When you observe the ball-carrier moving into a tackle/contact situation, you should move closer to give active support. NoTe: More on the options available in this situation is given in the next session.
The aim of the support player at the tackle/contact situation is to help the ball-carrier to stay on his feet and to keep driving forward.
If you want the ball, you must call for it clearly and urgently, and then move into position to receive the pass. NoTe: once called for, the pass must be delivered or a dummy pass executed.
SESSION 3Practice 10: Support Play
ESSENTIAL LEVEL ATTACK | Session 3 | Practice 10
PAGE 39© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
PRACTICE 10: SUPPORT PLAY
•Withgroupsoffiveinbacklineformation,revisetheClearing Pass,
Catch and Pass and Straight Running described previously.
•Nowusetheplayerinthescrum-halfpositiontosupport the ball as it is transferred along the line.
•Iftheballisdropped,thesupportplayermustbeimmediatelyonhand
to secure the ball.
•Iftheballreachestheendoftheline,thelastball-carrierexecutesa
circle ball transfer to the supporting player.
•Varytherolestoensureeachplayertakesthescrum-half/support
role in turn.
KEY PRINCIPLES
Players inside the ball, chase the ball, as per our Key Principles in Practice 10.
Players outside the tackle zone, stop, run backwards and outwards as described in Practice 8.
Do not wait for the looping players to carry the ball forward for you. Run backwards with urgency to take immediate advantage of the quickest possible recycle.
NoTe: You must strive to be always behind the ball. It is a basic principle of the game of rugby that you cannot benefit from being in front of the ball.
Practice 11: Realignment
ESSENTIAL LEVEL ATTACK | Session 3 | Practice 11
PAGE 41© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
NOTES fOR COACH
The session is executed without any “forwards” participating. The
aim is to educate players in the urgency required in moving from
a totally ineffective position in front of the ball, to a most effective
position behind the ball.
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PRACTICE 11: REALIGNmENT – Part 1
•Groupsofsevenalignedinbacklineformation.
•Theballismovedfromthescrum-halfandalongthebackline.
•Coachcalls“Tackle!” Ball-carrier stops and turns, facing scrum-half.
Inside players loop into their re-formed backline positions. Outside
players retreat backwards and outwards to re-form a backline.
•Ballisfedfromthetackledplayertothescrum-halfandalongthe
new backline.
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TACKLE
Practice 11: Realignment
PRACTICE 11: REALIGNmENT – Part 2
•Exerciseisrepeatedwiththecoachcallinganew“Tackle!” The original
ball-carrier in Part 1 of this Practice has now resumed a position in the
reformed backline.
•The “Tackle!” call continues in the same manner until the backline
runs out of space, whereupon the backs realign again on the open
side of the “tackle”. The exercise continues from the halfway line to
the goal line.
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ESSENTIAL LEVEL ATTACK | Session 3 | Practice 11
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KEY PRINCIPLES
As stated previously in Support Play, the prime aim of the arriving player(s) should be to continue the advance of the ball towards the tryline.
Support for the ball carrier, a secure “sealing-off” of the ball, and strong leg-drive are all essential.
Although our intention should be to stay on our feet and continue our drive forward – and thereby attract as many defenders as possible – it is possible that the bound players go to ground with the ball. This is not a problem. Recycle the ball without delay.
Practice 12: Tackle Contest Options
ESSENTIAL LEVEL ATTACK | Session 3 | Practice 12
PAGE 45© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
The arriving player can then make a decision whether to:
a) continue the drive bound together, or
b) continue the drive, rip the ball and continue the forward run, or
c) continue the drive, rip the ball and transfer to another arriving player.
NoTe: This could be a transfer to another forward arriving at pace, or to the scrum-half.
These actions must be completed without hesitation. We must not have a stop-start attack.
Key Principles of Practices 10 and 11 must still be stressed.
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PRACTICE 12: TACKLE CONTEST OPTIONS – Part 1
•Groupsofsevenalignedinbacklineformation,butwiththreeorfour
“forwards” providing support for the attack.
•Whencoachcalls“Tackle”, the first arriving forward will attach and
drive, rip and feed the scrum-half and the attack will continue.
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Practice 12: Tackle Contest Options
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PRACTICE 12: TACKLE CONTEST OPTIONS – Part 2
•Thepracticeshouldbeextendedtoachieveanyoneofthethree
possibilities described in the Key Principles:
a) continue the drive bound together, or
b) continue the drive, rip the ball and continue the forward
run, or
c) continue the drive, rip the ball and transfer to another
arriving player.
•Realignmentofplayer(s)outsidethetacklezoneisessentialtokeeping
the attack going.
•Extendthepracticetoincludedefenderswithtackleshields/suits.
7
12
7
9
12
7
12
OPTION BOPTION A OPTION C
ESSENTIAL LEVEL ATTACK | Session 3 | Practice 12
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KEY PRINCIPLES
The Practice is really a combination of everything previously covered in Session 1 though to Session 3.
All of the Key Principles contained therein should be in evidence.
Remember, “only perfect practice makes perfect!”
“Let the players explore the
practice. This will give them
ownership.”
Practice 13: Continuous Play
ESSENTIAL LEVEL ATTACK | Session 3 | Practice 13
PAGE 49© Bob Dwyer’s Rugby Workshops Pty Ltd
PRACTICE 13: CONTINUOUS PLAY
•Thegroupshouldbesomethingresemblingateam,withsome
opposition. If possible, say, a group of twelve in attack – six forwards
and six backs – with possibly nine or ten in defence.
•ProceedasinPractice 12, with the defence now becoming involved
at the tackle contest. Arriving support players continue driving forward
and/or recycling, as in Practice 12.
•Lookfor:
a) the attacking team forcing more and more defenders
into the tackle contest, and
b) urgency in continuity of the attack and in realignment
of the backs.
•Playshouldproceedwithout any delay, but with no panic.
Speed in everything – drive at the tackle, speed of foot, speed of
recycle – is our aim.
•Ifabackcanbeeffectiveon the ball at the tackle contest, he
should go in and be effective. If not, he must realign with urgency.
•Continuousplayfromhalfwaytothegoalline.Scorethetry!
Continue play even if there is a minor infringement.
•Wearelookingforaction with no hesitation!