Chicken or the egg: Games before skills or vice versa

Send us Fan MailJack Pattinson, academy and DPP coach at London Irish, in the South of England, talks to me about how he plans his coaching and what principles drive his sessions.I challenge him about the balance between skills training and game training, what the future player needs to know and how he measures success.We discuss:The difference between coaching grassroots and academy rugbyHow he helps players love the gameHow do we measure success in our coachingCreating World Class young mean and what that means for a 15 year oldWhat are the primary principles of the London Irish academyShould we be coaching players for what the game might look like in five years’ timeWhy a coach needs to more than a “catch-pass” teacherWhat a plan looks like, and how much it might changeFree play – how to incorporate it into sessions so it adds valueA destination for your coaching planThe chicken or the egg – do you coach the game and then see what skills are needed or vice versaHow new rules changes can create a better gameTo find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyTo find out more about our Partner Club offerCLICK HEREAlso, 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!