Another good session

We had another good session this week, with eleven of the squad turning up to the last training session before our first match of the season. Building on the skills form the previous three weeks, this week saw the squad move to full contact at full speed.

We were expecting a few tears this week, but were pleasantly surprised that we had very few in the end. The guys started the session with a game of Rugby Netball to warm up, with Andre Assisting the Orange Team and David assisting the Black Team. The usual bunching around the ball ensued to start with but soon the teams remembered that space and communication was key.

Following the warm up we concentrated on the tackle as we were going to play the first game at running speed later in the session. In this game we had 3 defenders, 2 with tackle pads, and one attacker. The defenders had to defend between 2 cones with varying gaps and the attacker had to use light feet to side step the tackler, before scoring a try at end of the run. Next we worked with the boys in channels, starting with walking tackles and reinforcing the profile position, then increased the speed of the tackle until the squad were running at each other.

Next progressed on to a full pitch, concentrating on running up as a line in defence and support in the attack, where the squad had to stay within their channels, and only the scrum half’s being allowed to move between channels.

In the last 25 minutes of the session, we had a full game on full size pitch with no assistance from the coaches. Each Team had a Captain and they had to set themselves up at each restart and communicate amongst themselves to either defend or attack. We saw some excellent team work with some great runs, passing and tackles. There were even a couple of scissor movements thrown in to try to put the defending team on the back foot.

For excellent work in the tackle, some great runs and all round good effort, Ben R was the coaches player of the session this week. Don’t forget the Team Building session next Saturday 9:30 at Essex Outdoors, Danbury (Full details are on the website). Next week we’re at home against Maldon, for the first match of the season. Please remember to bring a drink and Gum Shield with you, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Have a good week.