So I'm not a bra-burning protest marching hard core feminist, but this just plaine rankles me. I strongly support ALL our national teams - men, women, boys, girls, 7s, 15s. And I love the traditions and culture of rugby. But if we just take the "its the way it's always been done, don't mess with it" approach, well, I don't even want to think where we'd be. So sir, I respectfully disagree in words I can't repeat without raging unprofessionaly. At least not tonight. Friends, if you feel as strongly as I do, please read the recent post on ARN and let the editor know.
http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/editorial/Lowe_Down_It_s_all_in_the_name.shtml
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Who gets to call themselves an Eagle?
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Back on the pitch ... forwards and backs?
So i've been slacking on blogging for a while, largely because I had a pretty heavy duty surgery and have been trying to focus on recovery.
LOTS of interesting rugby things have happened - I was privileged to complete the final session of the first Advanced Coaching Course here in the US, and now have just a few final deliverables to finish. The City 7s events occured, and four of our players here in Philly participated, as well as several of the MARFU U23 players. The Nations cup has come and gone, and our own Stacy Baker ROCKED the front row ... I reviewed a CDP workshop in Nebraska, and I'm currently working on some new coaching videos for our coaching workshops.
Of course, the fall season kickoff is here, now, and that's where my main attention is. We did a preseason camp in mid-august, and have been practicing and preparing for our first league match next Saturday. Due to the travel associated with the new women's divisional structure, Atlanta and Philly will be playing our first CR3 D1 match AT Pumpkinfest. P'fest will be alot of rugby, as we've got two sides entered AND we're playing the league match, AND we're running the tournament (and apparently I've got quite a historical position of honor as Philadelphia celebrates Pumpkinfest's 25th Anniversary in a very special way, thank you Allison).
But on to the business of COACHING. As I read and hear about various team's preseason preparation, I notice that a lot of teams don't bring forwards and backs together until several practices have passed by. I can see the value in devoting alot of time to unit skills preseason, but I've always felt that the connection between forwards and backs is too critical to take that approach. That being said, some of the teams who DO take that approach run very very successful programs, and so I'm curious to hear some thoughts.
Anyone?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
OLYMPICS!
Just one last hurdle in October, hopefully it will just be a formality ...
http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=3090
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
High Level Findings: Match Preparation - Behavior and Perceptions
Thanks to everyone who participated in the study!
High level findings are available here ...
Match Day Preparations - Behaviors and Perceptions
Some very interesting data. If anyone is interested in working with the complete data set, or is interested in further analysis, please contat me directly via coachingrugby@gmail.com.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
East Penn Rugby Union and USA Rugby Coach Development present Luke Gross Extended Technical Lineout Workshops
The EPRU in conjunction with USA Rugby’s Coach Development Department is pleased to announce a coach education opportunity, it's new Extended Lineout Workshop featuring veteran Eagle lock and lineout specialist Luke Gross.
After attending Luke Gross’ Extended Lineout Workshop coaches will increase their abilities in coaching the lineout safely and effectively; in understanding the fundamentals of throwing, lifting and jumping; and will also learn basic offensive and defensive lineout strategies. This 4 hour extended workshop will be a practical coaching workshop. Coaches will have an opportunity to actually coach players under the guidance of Luke Gross.
Two sessions will be available. Session one, Friday evening, is held in conjunction with the Philadelphia Women's Rugb Club's Pumpkinfest tournament. Tournament participants are encouraged to make an early trip to Philadelphia for this session. Session two, Sunday, will be held in cooperation with the Wilmington Rugby Club. Specific workshop locations are currently being finalized and will be posted at http://www.epru.org, and communicated via email to all registered participants.
Participating coaches will receive 5 USA Rugby continuing education credits for participation in this workshop.
September 11: Philadelphia, PA
In conjunction with Philadelphia's Women's Rugby Club's Pumpkinfest Tournament
An extended four-hour Technical Lineout Workshop
Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Philadelphia or Northern Suburbs - exact location TBD
Contact: Lisa Rosen lrosen@usarugby.org
Worth 5 Continuing Education Unit's
Cost:
$30 per coach - each coach can bring 5-8 players
$10 per player (EPRU member players are free)
Luke will be available onsite at the Pumpkinfest tournament in Pennypack Park on Saturday for a meet and greet.
September 13: Wilmington, DE
In cooperation with the Wilmington Rugby Club
An extended four-hour Technical Lineout Workshop
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Wilmington, DE - exact location TBD
Contact: Lisa Rosen lrosen@usarugby.org
Worth 5 Continuing Education Unit's
Cost:
$30 per coach - each coach can bring 5-8 players
$10 per player (EPRU member players are free)
To pre-register for either of the workshops, contact lrosen@usarugby.org
Please include in the subject of your email :
Luke Gross Lineout Workshop: Sept 11 or Luke Gross Lineout Workshop: Sept 13. You will receive a tentative confirmation with payment details. Workshop spots are available on a first come-first serve basis. Payment must be received by 1 September 2009 to guarantee participation.
Lisa E Rosen
EPRU Game Development Officer
USA Rugby/IRB Coach Educator
Friday, June 26, 2009
Study on game day match preparation ... I need your help!
Dearest visitors:
I'm conducting a research project, and I need your help. I'm currently in the data collection phase of my project, and your input is critical. This study will require participation from players, coaches, and player-coaches. If you already know you want to participate, skip reading and go straight to the survey.
This study will inform a research project as part of required coursework for a USA Rugby and IRB Advanced Coaching Certification. The subject of this study is Match Day Game Preparation Behavior and Perceptions, and will examine a broad spectrum of warm up activities for Rugby Union, and their relation to player and coach performance self-assessments.
Participation in this study is purely voluntary, no compensation will be provided. Information provided will not be used for any reason other than that expressly describe above. Personal data, email addresses, and individual responses will remain anonymous unless express permission is granted by the study respondent.
Your participation is greatly appreciated! In order for the study to provide the most statistical relevance, a large volume of participants are needed. While participants are not paid or otherwise compensated for their effort, this study provides an opportunity to improve and enhance match day preparation throughout the rugby community. The study will take between 10 and 15 minutes (slightly longer if you are both a player and a coach) to complete.
Results will be published at the conclusion of this study at http://coachingrugby.blogspot.com responses will be collected until midnight EST on July 10th, at which time the data collection phase of the study will be complete.
Please feel free to circulate this study to your teammates and coaches, as well as to contacts from other rugby programs. If you have any questions about the study or any of the questions in the survey, contact Lisa Rosen at coachinrugby@gmail.com.
Thank you for your time!
Begin the survey!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Answers re: Community Guidelines on Ruck and Tackle from the National Panel Manager
Many thanks to Richard Every, the National Panel Manager for referees, for taking the time to respond to my many questions in such detail! Here's his response to my recent post on ruck & tackle guidelines. I'm reposting rather than just put in the comments because I think it's THAT important.INTRODUCTIONThe RSL Guidelines differ in referee "instruction" at certain areas, and allow more room for interpretation by the referee with regards to materiality of offenses.A. The TackleDefenders, want to slow down ball availability. In the RSL we decided that if we have to instruct the tackler to move away, that they have already slowed down ball possession and should be liable to PK. If attacking players arrive at a tackle, and do not make contact with opposition players, but 2 or 3 of them huddle over the ball, no ruck is formed and there are no offside lines, except for the existing tackle gate. If a defender counter rucks, a ruck is formed. We work with the referees to get to the tackle early, ensure the tackler has released the tackled player and the tackled player exercised their options. Only if a ruck forms, AND the ball is secured, to then ensure the fringes are onside, and then to move out to manage the backlines. A big issue is that referees do not get in to manage the tackle, but rather remain some distance away, and assume a ruck forms on most occasions.B. The GateYou question the "square shoulders". It was suggested by a coach, as at times the gate is wide, and at times, narrow. It is a part of the game that is refereed inconsistently, but that referees would give preference to players in the "square shoulders" entry, as it would visually appear that the player is entering correctly. Your diagram is correct that all 4 players are legally entering through the gate.C. Arriving PlayersThe answer is that the guidelines are applicable to all rugby, and include iRB Directives, and serve as clarification of Law and application. An example is that at international level, as seen in some (NOT ALL) Six Nations matches, referees instruct the tackler to move away, which they then do, which has already slowed down ball recycling, and allows the defense that extra time to get into position, and on almost all occasions when this is consistent throughout, leads to a low scoring game. Quick ball availability = dynamic rugby.The player in the illustration that you refer to as obstruction, is not. The tackle area is dynamic, and often many things happen very quickly, so the player does not necesarily remain static in this position for very long. We will allow players to take that position over or very near the ball. It is allowed internationally. If the player gets far beyond the ball it would be obstruction. It is a subjective judgement by the referee.Your view on the "diving over" is correct. Here is a video from the RSL 2009 which clarifies what is allowed and what is not. It is an 18 minute video with 40 clips. Probably best to view it more than once. (http://richardevery.com/Richard EveryNational Panel ManagerUSA Rugby RefereesT: 773 895 6013
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