A 2nd SESSION OF TRAINING FOR THE SCOUTS
Building on last week with game play
This week we built drills from last week into game play.
With the opening game of the season approaching, the coaches decided to see what the squad remembered from last week by using more game play. By in large the improvements were there. More flowing rugby, completing the tackle, learning the ruck, and finding the right position. As the squad moves through the new rules, players have to make decisions within the game i.e. take the ball into contact, draw the defender or make the pass...
This in itself is a new skill for them, learning that we win as team, not just an individual scoring a try is the biggest lesson we want the kids to take on. We saw it today, some really nice support running. The two main additions to this years game is the scrum and the ruck. The scrum is important for body position and keeping the game play circulating between the players (its the nearest three from each side) allowing for all to be in a position to move the ball, however it is uncontested (the side putting in will win the ball). Games are won and lost at this age in the ruck and tackle.
When in close, the temptation is to spot the ball and pick it up from a team mate that has just been tackled, more often, they need to step over and guard it, allowing a supporting player to pass it away. Working as a team to keep possession.
The new rules are described in a short video on the RFU website (link below), please show your young player the video so they can see what we are after.
New Rules - scroll down to under 10s
We don't reward every new player that turns up each week, however for the second week running we will! Ernie brought his friend Izaac Maddison down to join in. The squad welcomed him and he jumped straight in with the team. He looked like he'd been playing for a couple of years and impressed the coaches with his willingness to make the tackles and use the space. He took on board the coaching about running with two hands on the ball, making a great start to hopefully a future with Old Scouts. Izaac is this weeks Player Of The Week.
Final week of training next week before our first game of the season. COYS!!