Rugby Coach Weekly

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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

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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

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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.

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Sam Halliday, a PE teacher and rugby coach working with the Oxfordshire U16 PDG squad and Brackley U14 girls. 

Sam shares his insights on building a thriving coaching environment, fostering player ownership, and creating opportunities for girls in rugby. 

He discusses the importance of peer-led learning, developing confidence in new players, and how structured yet flexible coaching can lead to lasting engagement. Whether you're coaching grassroots rugby or looking to refine your approach to player development, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

📢 Listen now and discover:

• How to create an inclusive coaching culture that supports learning and growth
• The role of leadership and peer mentoring in player development
• Practical ways to recruit and retain players in girls' rugby
• The power of ownership in skill progression and confidence building

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

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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Lewis Hatchett—former professional cricketer, mindset coach, and creator of the MindStrong Sport app. They discuss perfectionism in sport, its benefits and drawbacks, and how it affects athletes and coaches.

Lewis shares his personal experiences with perfectionism, explaining how it can drive high performance but also lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of failure. The conversation explores the impact of coaching environments, the role of perceived perfectionism, and how athletes can shift towards "excellencism"—striving for success without the pressure of unrealistic expectations.

Key topics include:

✅ How perfectionism impacts athletes and teams
✅ The psychological cost of chasing flawless performance
✅ Coaching strategies to build confidence, adaptability, and resilience
✅ How to help athletes embrace mistakes as part of growth
✅ Insights from Lewis’ research on coaching, perfectionism, and fear of failure

If you're a coach, athlete, or parent looking to understand the mindset behind elite performance, this episode offers practical advice and research-based insights. Lewis also shares how coaches can contribute to his ongoing research.

📩 Want to connect with Lewis? Find him at MindStrongSport.com or reach out via [email protected].

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Raising funds for grassroots rugby can feel like an uphill battle, but Ed Flynn has cracked the code. 

In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Ed, a coach and fundraising powerhouse, to uncover the strategies that have helped his clubs thrive. 

From securing local business sponsorships to running hugely successful raffles and race nights, Ed shares his tried-and-tested methods for generating support, engaging the community, and ensuring clubs have the resources they need to grow.

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

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Join Dan Cottrell on the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast as he dives into a compelling conversation with Stuart Armstrong, renowned coach developer and host of The Talent Equation podcast. 

Together, they tackle the nuanced topic of ethical coaching—what it means, why it matters, and how it can transform both grassroots and elite coaching environments. With insights drawn from Stuart’s extensive experience in sports development and hands-on coaching experience, this episode explores the practical and philosophical dilemmas coaches face daily, from balancing inclusivity to navigating moral decision-making in competitive settings.

Some of the key points:

• Ethical coaching ensures positive experiences for all by addressing dilemmas like inclusion vs. performance. 
• Coaches need ongoing support, not just training, through mentorship and peer learning. 
• Inclusivity, transparent communication, and harm prevention are vital. 
• Governing bodies must shift focus to practical, in-situ development, valuing coaching as part of the care industry.

To listen more from Stuart on his podcast, go to: https://pod.link/1209549739

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

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Join Rugby Coach Weekly's Dan Cottrell as he sits down with Marlo Boyd, Bath Rugby’s Development Officer, Bath University women's forward's coach and former Bristol Bears player. 

Marlo opens up about her unconventional journey into rugby, the lessons she's learned about managing emotions—both hers and her players’—and how emotional intelligence can foster trust and growth in a team. Together, they explore actionable strategies for coaches to incorporate empathy, manage emotional highs and lows, and build a safe yet driven environment for players to thrive.

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

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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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Dan Cottrell welcomes Craig Wilson, director of rugby at Yale University and founder of The Contact Coach. Together, they explore practical, accessible approaches to video analysis for grassroots coaches. 

Craig shares personal experiences of using simple tools—smartphones, clipboards, and a bit of creativity—to make analysis both effective and manageable, even without high-end tech.

The conversation covers:

• Using footage to boost players’ confidence, 
• Balancing critical and positive feedback, 
• And how to avoid overwhelming players (or yourself!) with too much information. 

Find lots of takeaway ideas you can use immediately without the need for expensive equipment or complex software.

You can find Craig's amazing video insights on his website
https://www.thecontactcoach.com
And on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/@ContactCoach

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

To find out more about our Partner Club offer

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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 Dr. Mark Carroll, a sports coach and lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, and a host of Labours of Sports Coaching. Together, they delve into the myths and realities of motivation in sports coaching.

This conversation challenges traditional approaches and offers fresh insights. From breaking down misconceptions about the coach's role as the ultimate motivator to exploring how self-determination theory and other frameworks can shape coaching practice, Dr. Carroll discusses the delicate balance between external motivators and fostering intrinsic drive, the nuances of psychological safety, and why context is king in every coaching decision.

Whether you're a grassroots coach or working with elite athletes, this episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas and practical advice to help you create environments that truly inspire performance.

📩 Connect with Dr. Mark Carroll on LinkedIn or explore his podcast, Labours of Sports Coaching, for even more insights.

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

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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!