Rugby Tatics

Question
Hi, my name is Jacob and I am a captain, coach on an America high school rugby team.  We have some backs with speed and agility, but everyone is inexperienced in the game except for me and a couple others.  They get fired up about creative and unorthodox plays, so i was wondering if you knew of any backline or flanker/eight plays that are rarely seen or not usually known about, or just some creative plays we can run.  We have size, speed, and desire, but creativity fires them all up for some reason.  I play flanker, so any general tips there would be helpful as well.

Thanks,
Jacob

Answer
Hi Jacob, below is a past question that fits what you asked for. The first part is about captancy and after that there is a good link about rugby move I think it even has moving animations.

Stay focussed on your game first, that takes priority. Play hard and lead by example. No dirty stuff and always be the voice of positivity.

If a player makes a mistake, be the first to pick him up and tell him to shake it off and get back into the game. This is a powerful tool. Players will make mistakes, that is going to happen no matter what. When a player makes a mistake he knows it, so does the team. To crack the negative vibe be the first to be verbal about overcoming the mistake like saying: "no worries Bob, you can make it up on the next play" or "just a mistake mate, just get up and make it good, I believe you can do it".

To win the game and be a successful team you will need to get the guys always moving forward. Even if you are 40 points down with 1 minute to go you must talk the guys up, get them to play for pride and learn with the experience. This will help when you are 3 points down with 5 minutes to go in a final.

Lay down some rules prior to a game:

1. We play our game, our tactics as we trained.
2. We have fun. Play a good clean game, play hard, have fun.
3. Focus on your job, concentrate on your game, I'll concentrate on mine.
4. Only I talk to the ref. If you have an issue address me and I will take it to the ref for you.
5. Make time get each player to say 2 things they are going to work on during the game that relates to their position, if gets everyone focussed.

This is the gist of most captains talks all the way up to the professional level.

Talk to the ref as an equal. Address him / her as Sir / Miss or Mam or better yet ask if they like to be called by their first name. Say "excuse me" first and wait until a break in play to address a concern. Look the ref in the eye and speak directly and to the point. Say "thank you for hearing me out" regardless of the ref's reaction.

If you have a positive thought in a game say it out loud to the team or the player. A slap on the back is good too. If you have a negative thought during a game keep it to yourself and throw out a phrase like "keep it up boys" , "we can do it" even clapping can create a positive vibe, it will help you and the team.

Trust that all this stuff works. You can read books and get into the psychology as to why it works if you like but just trust me that it all works if used all the time.

Look at some of my old answers for more tactics or look at these websites:

http://www.rugbysmart.co.nz/plan/technique.html

http://www.rugbytactics.com/