Guildford Rugby Club

Colts Junior Development Pathway

Age Group: Colts U17/18s

LTAD Stage: Train to Complete

Train/ Match: 50:50

Window of Optimal Trainability (Focus of athletic training)

Develop Fitness, specialisation of Rugby Skills & Tactics.
Develop Multi-functional role under match conditions

Overall Coaching Approach

Improvise / Problem solving in match conditions.
Most (not all) Player positions will be set / Specialisation.
CREATE GAME PRESSURE IN TRAINING.
17/18 year olds may have opportunities to train and compete with adults (under strict RFU conditions/regulations)

Player Capacities

(Consolidate and develop previous age skills)

Technical

Develop Individual / Team skills under match conditions

Evasion

Avoid contact / swerve / HAND OFF (Full) / Change of pace / Sidestep

Handling skills

Decision making – Creating & Preserving space.

Contact Skills

Tackling skills / Unit tackle (2nd & 3rd player support – attack & defence) / reacting to what is in front of you.
Ball carrier making best decision before and in contact.

Maul

Full Maul.
Ball carrier – Strong base & protect ball / Support Players – Body position/drive, secure and deliver ball.
Defenders – hold up ball & player / drive.

Ruck

Ball carrier – Ball presentation
Support players – Protect ball carrier & secure ball.
Tackler – release, regain feet & contest.
Create Ruck to maintain continuity (Increase Speed of ruck). Phase play.

Scrum

Attack & Defence strategy. Channel 1,2,3.

Lineout

Full Lineout/ Specialist thrower / Decoy work / tactics of lineout
Game strategy from Lineout.

Backline attack – Multiple phases in match conditions.

Penetration – Positioning, Alignment & identification of space / Angle of run & timing of pass
Players be aware of formal role in a pattern / Decoys

Backline defence (Prevent penetration through defensive line / attempt to regain possession.

Alignment / move forward / React to threat / TACKLE / Support

Kicking & Catching

Attack, Defence & KO strategies.

Tactical

Laws / Ethics

Understand the Laws / Personal responsibility for behaviours and actions

The GAME

Problem solving (in-Game) / Tactical options to achieve game plan
Awareness of opposition strength/weaknesses and ability adjust game plan

Principles (Team play)

ADD PRESSURE to principle of play / choose best options.

Physical

Multi-sprint endurance / Speed / Power / Agility / (Personal conditioning)

Position specific conditioning

Strength (Window – 12months after growth spurt slows) – Weight training (taught / supervised)

Mental

Personal preparation & warm-up, Controlled breathing & relaxation

CONCENTRATION

Lifestyle/ Personal

Independent thinking / Ambition / Life balance (Coping with pressure & SETBACKS)

Awareness of leadership demands and responsibilities.

Role model for younger players

Law Variations- Colts 17/18s

Players per side: 15

Max pitch size: 100 x 70

Minutes per half: 35

Max game time per day: 80

Additional variations: 80

Coaching tips: Increase pressure on all skills, to reflect match conditions. / Game management / Decision making by individual players / REMEMBER TO KEEP IT FUN and treat as young adults, as players will start to be tempted away from Rugby