GAME DEVELOPMENT COACH EDUCATION CONTENTS 1. ABOUT THE MANUAL 2 2. ROLES OF THE COACH 3 3. HOW TO TEACH - ‘KEY SKILLS’ 4 4. RUNNING DRILLS AND GAMES 5 5. GRIP / CATCH / PASS - WHAT 6 6. DRAW THE MAN - TWO-V-ONE 8 7. FRONT ON TACKLE - WHAT 10 9. PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK 13 10. EFFORT AREAS 15 11. AGE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 16 12. POSITION SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 18 13. NATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT 20 14. NATIONAL PLAY SAFE CODE 21 15. COACHING ACCREDITATION 21 16. MINI, MOD & INTERNATIONAL RULES 22 17. GAME DEVELOPMENT STAFF 22 1 1. ABOUT THE MANUAL The Brisbane Broncos Coach Education Manual will provide coaches with a valuable resource aimed at meeting the needs and requirements of coaches at all levels. Whilst the needs of a performance athlete and the recreational player will be vastly different, the fundamental principles of coaching remain the same. This resource has been developed over a number of years, with some of the games finest educators having influence over the teachings enclosed. ‘THE PRIMARY ROLES OF THE COACH ARE TO TEACH AND MANAGE PEOPLE’ A coach’s ability to achieve in both these areas effectively relies solely on their quest for knowledge, ability to communicate and their willingness to learn. As the old saying goes, ‘it is impossible for a man to learn, what he thinks he already knows’. Learning provides knowledge and knowledge provides us with the ability to Teach and Manage. Rugby League at any level is not a complicated game, it requires players to execute basic skills such as Grip, Catch & Pass, Draw & Pass (2v1) and Tackle Technique, regularly and many times under the influence of pressure and fatigue. It is these fundamental skills that are crucial to a player’s ability to play our game. These skills are taught in range of different ways such as drill type environments, they are then practiced in small sided games or game-based scenarios. It is here that the skill is tested in an environment that should replicate mini versions of the scenarios that a player will face on game day. The most effective coaches are those who get the best out of their players both individually and as a team, whilst at the same time using the sport as an opportunity to develop them as people. In order for a coach to understand the process of coaching, they must first understand the reasons why children stay in sport. Primarily, children stay in sport for these main reasons; ♦ The environment ♦ The enjoyment ♦ The development - player and person Coaches control each of these three stages, you are effectively the most valuable assets we have in our sport and certainly have the biggest impact on whether children continue to play our game or not. Junior coaching is not about winning, period. It is about teaching your players the process of success and retaining your player’s so they remain connected to the sport. Coaching is a role that requires both time and effort but can be very enjoyable and rewarding. I hope that this Education Manual enhances your ability to teach and assists you in your quest to become a better coach/ manager. You play a vital role in our game and your role is certainly very much appreciated by the Brisbane Broncos. Kind regards Paul Dyer Brisbane Broncos Game Development Manager 2 2. ROLES OF THE COACH THE COACH TEACHING MANAGING PEOPLE How can you teach without Getting people to do what you knowledge? want them to do and like doing it Fundamental skills, specialised Coaching is more than just skills, position specific skills memorising techniques or devising the perfect game plan FUNDAMENTAL REASONS CHILDREN REMAIN IN SPORT Development Development The Enjoyment & of the of the environment mateship player person ♦ Player selection ♦ Variety at training ♦ Fundamental motor ♦ Effort ♦ Coach behaviour ♦ Communication skills (speed, agility, ♦ Attitude (never give ♦ Skill level ♦ Being with friends strength, endurance) up) ♦ Age ♦ Fun based drills & ♦ Sport related ♦ Overcome setbacks ♦ Aspiration games fundamentals ♦ Manage (catch, pass, draw & distractions pass, tackle) ♦ On time, dress, ♦ Positional skills manners (halves, outside backs, middles) CHILDREN WILL STAY IN SPORT PRIMARILY FOR THESE FOUR MAIN REASONS. JUNIOR COACHING IS NOT ABOUT WINNING, PERIOD. IT’S ABOUT CREATING A POSITIVE, ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT AND TEACHING PLAYERS THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. 3 3. HOW TO TEACH - ‘KEY SKILLS’ The primary role of the coach is to teach. Teaching is a process that requires knowledge. 3.1 KNOWLEDGE “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows” Knowledge is a confident understanding of a skill acquired by a coach through experience and education. How can you teach without knowledge? Good teachers have a genuine desire to learn. 3.2 PLANNING In planning a session, ask yourself what are you aiming to accomplish? Drills and games should be planned with the sole focus on the outcome you are aiming to achieve. Key elements of the planning phase include history, values, staff requirements, session content, team goals, individual player requirements etc. 3.3 COMMUNICATION A huge component of teaching is communication information. This may be verbal, written or through demonstration, the key, however, is getting people to understand your information. 3.4 ENTHUSIASM Your attitude and behaviour is infectious. If you enjoy what you do and have a genuine passion for your position you will engage with the people you teach. 3.5 CONFIDENCE Confidence is gained through ‘knowledge of the topic’. It is a belief we have in our own ability to meet the challenge and succeed. In realising what we don’t know, we learn and develop confidence. 4 4. RUNNING DRILLS AND GAMES 4.1 EXPLANATION OF THE DRILL Organise your group and explain how the mechanics of the drill operates. There is no need to teach skills at this stage, as the players must first understand how the drill operates and the individual requirements the drill places on them as players. 4.2 GET ACTIVE Get the players active as quickly as possible upon explanation of the drill, it is important that you do not over communicate at this stage. 4.3 COACH THE SKILL The skill you are aiming to teach has coaching points and it is now that you must teach each of these in stages. For example: Stop the drill, demonstrate and explain the first coaching point then have them perform that before you move onto the next point. 4.4 PRACTICE Players must practice as often as possible with correct skill technique before moving onto the next coaching point. It is critical that the coach evaluates and provide feedback to the players at this stage whilst also giving them an opportunity to solve the problem themselves. 4.5 SMALL SIDED GAMES Games are a great way to provide an enjoyable working environment. They also provide the coach with the ideal platform to gauge whether a player has retained the knowledge of a skill and whether or not the player can execute this new skill under pressure. Small Sided Games are designed to place the player in an environment that replicate small sections of what they may face when they play Rugby League. 5 5. GRIP / CATCH / PASS - WHAT HOW WHY GRIP THE FOOTBALL Carry the ball with two hands This is the best grip a player can have on the ball to allow you to do everything you need to as an attacking runner – run, pass, kick, one-handed offload etc Thumbs on top, fingers spread underneath, pull This will enable the player to release the ball with thumbs back on the ball no rotation on it while giving them the best grip for one-handed offloads CAT C H Hands up, in front of the body, thumbs in tight, Allows the player to catch the ball in their hands, fingers spread not on their chest Elbows off the chest, arms flexed, in front of the Allows the player to receive a bad pass – high or body low Catch the ball in two hands, away from the chest This will allow the player to transfer the ball to the (Watch the ball) support runner at speed If the player elects to run the ball then they commence by carrying the ball in two hands FEET Pass the ball off the outside leg (leg that is furthest This will square up a defender and force them to away from the support runner) make a decision Keep feet and hips square down the field when This will straighten the body position, allowing the promoting the ball player to square up and attract defenders before releasing the pass Grip Catch Pass 1 Pass 2 Feet 6 HOW WHY PASSING Point the ball facing to the ground (thumbs and Stops the player from throwing a spiral pass and fingers to the ground) pass the ball with no rotation Arms down in front of the body, not over extended, When passing the ball the player should use their but straight arms to promote the ball, as the fingers and wrists will add weight and direction Start the ball from outside the hip on the opposite The ball starts from outside the players’ hip as this leg to the direction that you are passing the ball. allows them to generate power through swinging Never start the ball from the centre of the body their arms. This technique will also prevent players from flinging the ball with fingers and wrists, helping eliminate rotation of the ball The ball travels underneath the body, not around If the ball travels underneath the body there is a the body lot less room for error.