Training to Compete
Develop the Engine
The Player - SPECIALIZES
The players in this stage are generally around 16 - 19 years old for boys and around 15 - 18 years old for girls
Players are more likely to have committed themselves to rugby as their chief sport. They are more willing to invest a significant amount of time and energy to become successful. They are driven and are fiercely competitive with a greater capacity for all game related competencies. Players pay more attention to developing themselves as positional specialists in order to undertake their functional roles.
Players at this stage are capable of independent thinking and of taking greater responsibility while also contributing more toward problem solving.
The Coach - FACILITATES
Since players have the capacity for greater input, the role of the coach shifts towards facilitation. Allowing opportunity for opinions and problem solving is critical if players are to develop confidence and relative autonomy.
The coach will still need to employ teaching, challenging and guiding skills where appropriate. The emphasis should be on developing players’ ability to navigate rather than replicate.
The Game - OUTCOMES
The game becomes fiercely competitive with positional specialists influencing games, mini units and units well are synchronized and team play concentrates on reducing errors and maximizing success. The focus is on achieving desired outcomes with respect to attacking and defensive goals (team, unit, mini-unit).