Adventures in kids coaching

[Niegs]

Passed my level 2 rugby league coaching course today. Been a very interesting four weeks and really helped with planning training sessions and how to get the best out of the kids when I'm trying to teach them fundamentals.

What were your key takeaways?

[Slick]

Passed my level 2 rugby league coaching course today. Been a very interesting four weeks and really helped with planning training sessions and how to get the best out of the kids when I'm trying to teach them fundamentals.

Well done!

Can you convert it into a decent sport?

[Sandstorm]

Passed my level 2 rugby league coaching course today. Been a very interesting four weeks and really helped with planning training sessions and how to get the best out of the kids when I'm trying to teach them fundamentals.

What were your key takeaways?

Lead with the shoulder, target the head.

[Brazil]

Passed my level 2 rugby league coaching course today. Been a very interesting four weeks and really helped with planning training sessions and how to get the best out of the kids when I'm trying to teach them fundamentals.

What were your key takeaways?

It was mostly fairly obvious stuff plan well in advance and have a clear objective every session. Use game based scenarios to keep the kids interested and build variety into what they're doing. Don't overburden them, and use kinetic learning rather than explanations. I don't know whether Union does the same, but we were given a series of cards focused on specific drills for key areas of the game, games, and physical development. I was impressed with just how much thought goes into the minutiae of the game, down to how you old a ball properly, and how you fall safely (neither of which I was ever taught).

I've seen a marked improvement in my kids since I started the course and was able to put what I'd learned into practice.

[clydecloggie]

Not a kid anymore, but my 19yo son has established himself as a starter for our club's first XV this season. In a week's time they will play the decisive match for promotion to the Dutch Premiership (Ereklasse). Which is mockingly called the Euroklasse by some, as it is domninated by clubs using sponsor income to build a team of 2nd/3rd rate players from proper rugby-playing countries before sinking without a trace when the money runs out.

Our own club is 100% amateur ethos, with half the team comprising 18/19/20yo I coached through U12-U18 so would be quite an achievement if we're able to win the game and move up.

It would also give our Treasurer a heart attack, which would be unfortunate but needs must.

[Sandstorm]

It would also give our Treasurer a heart attack, which would be unfortunate but needs must.

[Slick]

Passed my level 2 rugby league coaching course today. Been a very interesting four weeks and really helped with planning training sessions and how to get the best out of the kids when I'm trying to teach them fundamentals.

What were your key takeaways?

It was mostly fairly obvious stuff plan well in advance and have a clear objective every session. Use game based scenarios to keep the kids interested and build variety into what they're doing. Don't overburden them, and use kinetic learning rather than explanations. I don't know whether Union does the same, but we were given a series of cards focused on specific drills for key areas of the game, games, and physical development. I was impressed with just how much thought goes into the minutiae of the game, down to how you old a ball properly, and how you fall safely (neither of which I was ever taught).

I've seen a marked improvement in my kids since I started the course and was able to put what I'd learned into practice.

I’ve just about had it with our club (as has my daughter) because none of that is happening. We start playing against other clubs next year but have hardly done any game scenarios- yesterday we literally did 3 minutes at the end of the session, my wife said it looked like I was about to explode. The main coach spends hours doing completely inappropriate drills - yesterday 50 % of the session was on U7’s finding space - they can’t catch, pass or touch yet ffs. I try to feed in my concerns but he’s a really nice bloke and just laughs it off

[Niegs]

What were your key takeaways?

It was mostly fairly obvious stuff plan well in advance and have a clear objective every session. Use game based scenarios to keep the kids interested and build variety into what they're doing. Don't overburden them, and use kinetic learning rather than explanations. I don't know whether Union does the same, but we were given a series of cards focused on specific drills for key areas of the game, games, and physical development. I was impressed with just how much thought goes into the minutiae of the game, down to how you old a ball properly, and how you fall safely (neither of which I was ever taught).

I've seen a marked improvement in my kids since I started the course and was able to put what I'd learned into practice.

I’ve just about had it with our club (as has my daughter) because none of that is happening. We start playing against other clubs next year but have hardly done any game scenarios- yesterday we literally did 3 minutes at the end of the session, my wife said it looked like I was about to explode. The main coach spends hours doing completely inappropriate drills - yesterday 50 % of the session was on U7’s finding space - they can’t catch, pass or touch yet ffs. I try to feed in my concerns but he’s a really nice bloke and just laughs it off

Both are interesting. I'm currently researching this to propose a coaching curriculum within our club (because we get nowt from the union after the very general Level 1 and 2 courses). I just interviewed for a national ed coordinator role (which I didn't get but figured I wouldn't as I don't already have experience or speak French).

I did say to them that I hope they build a nice library of grab and go resources for coaches as that's what they want but then sneak in some 'how to coach' nuggest from sport sci in a VERY easy to understand and apply way.

I'm wrestling with that at the moment because we do need to get away from old school, drill heavy training and be more focused with scenario and game based training. But most coaches don't want to read academic language or even an essay. Just a simple statement to focus intentions and methods. (My theory on why the old way no longer works but kinda did for us... we experienced WAY more free play as kids, if not ar school or club training, certainly on playgrounds and with a greater variety of sports for many of us so there were more opportunities to become skilled and apply lessons learned, like basic evasion, support, ball handling and use of space.)