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Small-sided games aren’t just chaos—they’re your sharpest coaching tool. In this episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James explore how to make games more purposeful by designing clear objectives, coaching one behavior at a time, and helping players make better decisions under pressure. Clear rules. Smart design. Intentional outcomes.

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How You Start Changes Everything
In this 8-minute episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James dive into the power of the first five minutes of a session. From early wins to playful warm-ups without a ball, discover how to boost energy, build connection and benchmark your plan. Quick, practical and purposeful: start better, coach smarter.

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In this powerful episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Regan Sue, co-founder of Haka Rugby Global, to explore how Maori culture, adaptability, and people-first coaching have helped shape one of the world’s most culturally rich rugby initiatives. 

Regan shares stories from over a decade of running 100+ camps across 50 countries, unpacking the deeper meaning behind the haka, the power of coaching with cultural intent, and the nuances of leadership, energy, and skill development.

From managing chaotic changing rooms to instilling “mana” in every tackle, Regan explains how his coaching journey has always been rooted in adaptability and authenticity. With themes like the Warrior on the Edge and feet-fight-finish, he outlines how traditional values merge with technical excellence on the pitch and how every session balances smiles with sweat.

Links:

Insta: Haka Rugby Global

Facebook: Haka Rugby Global

Insta: Coach Regs

Facebook: Coach Regs

Regan has shared some key concepts:

Patu

He is the co-founder of Haka Rugby Global with business partner Troy Nathan 
•⁠  ⁠100s camps, 50 countries, 30 Staff, 3000 players
•⁠  ⁠Utilise Māori culture and rugby as a tool to help create future world leaders

Maori culture as a way to grow players?
We know where we come from
•⁠  ⁠Turangawaewae: Where one stands, their place in the world: Belong
•⁠  ⁠Whakapapa (genealogy line of ancestors)
•⁠  ⁠Pepeha acknowledges: Mountain, River, Canoe, Tribes, Marae (meeting place), Family + Me

RESPECT
•⁠  ⁠He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata he tangata he tangata!
•⁠  ⁠What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, the people, the people

•⁠  ⁠It’s better to walk into a room go to the back and be asked to go to the front, rather than walk into a room go to the front and be asked to go to the back.
When it’s your time to lead, your people will call you to the front

•⁠  ⁠Mana: Leader, Power, Strength, Service to the people… ”Prestige”
•⁠  ⁠In many cultures a person's status in society is determined by their financial wealth
•⁠  ⁠In Māori culture a person's status in the tribe is determined by their Mana
•⁠  ⁠You gain Mana by how you perform on the field

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

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In this episode, Dan Cottrell speaks with Leicester Tigers player and Peak Team Performance founder, Tiana Gordon, about the power of soft skills in coaching. 

Drawing on her academic background in neuroscience, psychology, and mental health, Tiana shares practical tools to help coaches improve communication, build genuine connections, and regulate their emotions under pressure. 

From managing difficult player conversations to creating inclusive environments that support the whole squad, not just the starting XV, this episode challenges coaches to go beyond the technical and rethink how they show up for their teams.

To find out more from Tiana, here are the key links:

Peak Team Performance:

Website: www.peaktp.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peaktp/

Email: [email protected]

Tiana Gordon: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianagordon/

Email: [email protected]

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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In this episode, Dan Cottrell catches up with the globetrotting coach and former pro player Ben Herring. From being told he was too small for the 1st XV to wrestling with his dad for jackal strength, Ben shares a raw and inspiring journey through rugby, coaching, and personal growth.

Now Director of Rugby at Newington College and host of The Coaching Culture podcast, Ben reflects on how being underestimated shaped his coaching philosophy, why finding your niche is key to player success, and what it really means to develop team culture without losing individuality. The conversation travels from Japan to New Zealand to professional club rugby, touching on topics like over-coaching, player psychology, bench dynamics, and how stoic philosophy inspired a team-wide cultural shift.

A must-listen for any coach, educator, or rugby lover looking to lead with empathy and impact.

🔗 Highlights include:

• Being cut from school teams and how that built resilience
• Coaching culture lessons from Japan
• The role of repetition and language in learning
• Why sometimes it's OK to say, "Stuff the structure"
• Creating a unique team identity around stoicism
• How to balance team-first mentality with individual strengths

Here's a link to his show:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coaching-culture-with-ben-herring/id1788635110

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Dr. Michael Francis Pollin, a leading expert in coach development and coaching behaviours for player learning, development and performance. They dive into the fascinating world of creativity in rugby coaching, challenging traditional perceptions and exploring how creativity is not just a product but a process.

Michael shares insights from his research and experience working with elite football and rugby academies, discussing how coaches can create environments that foster cognitive awareness, adaptability, and decision-making. From exploring the balance between structure and freedom to understanding the importance of silence and observation, this episode will leave you reflecting on your own coaching practices.

Key takeaways:

• Creativity as a process: Understand why creativity in coaching is more of a cognitive process than just a final product or "wow moment."
• Balancing structure and freedom: Discover how to blend structure with autonomy to create an environment that encourages creative thinking.
• The power of silence: Learn why saying nothing can sometimes be the most powerful coaching tool.
• Observational skills: Improve your ability to notice subtle cues and patterns in player behavior and game situations.
• Questioning techniques: Explore how the right questions can guide players to think independently and creatively.
• Decision-making under pressure: Equip your players to make effective decisions in high-pressure situations by fostering problem-solving skills.
• Creative defense and attack: See how creativity applies not just to attacking play but also to defensive strategies.
• Coaching behaviors that inspire: Reflect on how your own coaching behaviors can either foster or stifle creativity.
• Future-proofing your coaching: Prepare players not just for the current game but for the evolving nature of rugby in the future.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Charlie Harrison, former professional player for Bath, Bedford, Rotherham and player/coach at Doncaster, ex-Head of Rugby at Marlborough College, and now coach of the U14s at Marlborough. 

They discuss the transition from coaching First XV to working with younger players, the importance of game-based learning, and how to develop players beyond just their physical attributes. 

Charlie shares insights into structuring training sessions, managing player progression, and fostering a long-term love for the game. 

Key Takeaways:

• Transitioning from First XV to U14s: Coaching younger players requires a shift from strategy-heavy sessions to focusing on skill development and game understanding.
• Game-Based Learning: Small-sided games and scenario-driven training help players develop decision-making skills in realistic situations.
• Balancing Structure and Creativity: Encouraging players to recognise space and opportunities rather than following rigid patterns leads to more effective, instinctive play.
• Managing Player Progression: Developing a long-term mindset ensures players grow beyond their physical attributes, helping both early and late bloomers succeed.
• The Role of Set-Piece Training: While vital at higher levels, younger age groups benefit more from prioritising open play, with set-piece elements introduced gradually.
• Keeping Rugby Sustainable in Schools: Making rugby fun, safe, and inclusive—alongside strong communication with parents—helps maintain engagement and participation.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Ben John, better known as The Rugby Trainer, to explore his unique coaching philosophy and the rise of his hugely popular online brand. Ben shares how he transitioned from professional rugby to skill-specific coaching, the impact of his viral content, and the importance of developing core rugby skills through creative and engaging methods.

From insights on improving individual technique to the role of social media in coaching, Ben discusses how he engages young players and what makes skill acquisition sustainable over time. He also shares lessons from working with top professionals like Marcus Smith and delves into the importance of decision-making, body awareness, and confidence in player development.

Key Takeaways:

• Skill development takes consistency: Just 10 minutes of focused training per week can make a big difference over time.
• Decision-making is key: The best players recognize cues and adapt their skills in real-time.
• Creativity in training matters: Fun, engaging drills help players improve without realizing they're working.
• Master the fundamentals: Catching, passing, footwork, and tackle technique should be practiced regularly.
• Social media as a coaching tool: Ben explains how platforms like TikTok and YouTube help young players refine their skills.
• Learn from the best: Insights from top pros like Marcus Smith and specialist coaches offer valuable lessons for all players.

To find out more about Ben John's work go to the following links:

https://www.therugbytraineracademy.com/

https://youtube.com/@therugbytrainertv

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell welcomes Jamie Taylor—Assistant Professor of Elite Performance at Dublin City University, Academy Coach with Leicester Tigers, and Senior Coach Developer at Grey Matters UK. 

Together, they dive into the practical aspects of coaching, discussing session planning, skill acquisition, and what it truly means to develop coaching expertise. 

Jamie challenges conventional ideas on coaching theory, explaining the importance of understanding "why" we coach the way we do and how we can design better learning experiences for players. 

Whether you're a grassroots coach or working at the elite level, this conversation will make you think more deeply about your coaching intentions and the impact you have on your players.

• Understanding coaching expertise: Why coaching is more than just following a template.
• The importance of coaching intentions: Moving beyond "what" we coach to "why" we coach it.
• Session planning insights: How to design training sessions that truly develop players.
• Exploration vs. exploitation in skill acquisition: When to encourage players to try new things vs. refining existing skills.
• How coaches can improve: The role of reflection, questioning, and learning from mistakes.
• Theoretical perspectives on coaching: A look at cognitive, ecological dynamics, and predictive processing approaches.
• Measuring progress in coaching: How to assess whether training methods are effective.
• Understanding how session design affects player development.
• Common coaching misconceptions: Why making training look good doesn’t always mean it’s effective.
• Jamie’s personal coaching evolution: Lessons learned from years in coaching and academia.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

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Tackling is at the heart of rugby, but what truly makes a tackle dominant or a miss? 

In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, host Dan Cottrell welcomes Oli Bishop, defence coach for Ealing Trailfinders Women and U23s, to break down the science behind effective tackling. Oli shares insights from his Level 4 RFU research, exploring the key characteristics of dominant tackles, the role of balance and momentum, and the phases of a successful tackle.

From analysing foot placement to understanding pre-contact cues, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for coaches and players alike. Key insights include:

• The importance of pre-contact positioning: How anticipation and approach impact tackle success.
• Why dominant tackles are most likely within two metres of the ball carrier receiving the ball.
• Hand placement strategies: When to aim for behind the knees versus the lower back.
• Leg drive and post-contact work: The key to finishing tackles effectively.
• How to coach players out of poor tackle habits and build their confidence.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!