Guildford Rugby Club

Under 16's Junior Development Pathway

Age Group: Under 16's

LTAD Stage: Train to Compete

Train/ Match: 50:50

Window of Optimal Trainability (Focus of athletic training)

Develop Fitness, specialisation of Rugby Skills & Tactics.
Strength: 12 months after PHV (which will vary for every player) / appropriate weight training to be taught.
Multi-functional role development – don’t Pigeon hole!

Overall Coaching Approach

VERY IMPORTANT – Be sensitive to the physical changes in the players (not all the same) as this effects training.
Most (not all) Player positions will be set / Specialisation.
CREATE GAME PRESSURE IN TRAINING.

Player Capacities

(Consolidate and develop previous age skills)

Technical

Consolidate & 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
Players 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- Under 16's

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: Be aware of player’s growth spurt / PHV, as training needs to be adjusted. Concentrate on Building fitness and position specific skills & Team play. REMEMBER TO KEEP IT FUN and to treat as young adults, as players will start to be tempted away from Rugby.