Managing mismatches, parents, and game-day transfer

Send us Fan MailHead coach Dan Cottrell is joined by Russell McClusky and Phil Greenaway for a lively, practical chat drawn from years across schools, clubs, and university rugby. As hosts of the Little and Large Podcast, they bring a wealth of experience from their times as directors of sport and heads of games.They tackle how to handle one-sided school fixtures without punishing your best players, why the referee’s feel for the game matters, and smart ways to bring parents with you. The trio dig into development versus performance mindsets, what to do when outside “experts” chime in, and how simplifying set piece detail can create immediate gains. Real examples include yellow card simulations, pre-game parent emails with three clear focuses, and a lineout fix that worked the very next match. If you coach minis to seniors, you will leave with ideas you can use on Saturday.What to try first: Simple constraints and clear goals for uneven gamesWhere to invest: Off-ball organisation for quick winsHow to align: Pre-match parent comms with three weekly focusesWhen it sticks: Simplify set-piece for speed over shapeYou can contact them on the following emails:Russell [email protected]  [email protected] 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!