Coaching Laid Bare: Episode One with Sophie Spence

Send us Fan MailLiza Bird Burgess and LJ Lewis discuss a round of questions about the practicalities of the game.In this episode they are with former Ireland international Sophie Spence, who is now coaching Penclawdd mens team.Here are the topics they cover:Making contact training realistic: The role of equipment, when and where, bone on bone and mindset.Tackle training v D systems: Planning how and when to use equipment, coaching technique and introducing systems in D. Planning to build and cover detail against technique and trust/communication.Ending a session before game day:  Poor team run v good team run, how to overcome this, reinforcing game plan, not speaking for too long and bringing players together with a huddle, chant and ownership of the process.Telling a player they are dropped: Difficult conversions as a coach, importance of being clear with selection policy, keeping feedback precise and achievable, sharing with rest of coaching team so that single message from all coaches, sticking with it as a coaching team and chatted through various options for feedback depending on time with players. Face to face, phone call, email, zoom?To 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!