rugby tactics

Question
Hi, i am a junior at my high school in georgia, USA., and we recently started a rugby club for our school. We have played in 5 games and only one of them has been close. We dont have a coach so i wanted to ask you for some drills and situations to work on in practice.  We dont need any tackling techniques, we are very good at tackling, but our offense is poor, our scrums are average, and our line outs need alot of work.
and if you dont mind, would you give me some tips on the no.8 position, thats what i play.
thanks,
Jake Floyd, captian, SMHS rugby club

Answer
OK Jake, well congratulations for being part of a new rugby club. Not many people can say that and one day as an adult you will be able to say you started a club that is 30,40, 50  years old!

I suggest you take the initiative and start educating yourself to be a player coach. No kidding - someone has to do it and the more you learn the more you and your friends will enjoy the game.

First though, try to affiliate with a senior men's club. If you can get then to take you under their wing you may have more coaches than you need.

Whenever possible video all practices and games. Get the team together at least once a month or better yet after every game and sit as a team to watch the game. Keep stats and look for areas to improve.

As a team try to see as much rugby as possible either with the local club  team or on TV, "The Rugby Channel" is on line and for under $10 a game you can view all the big international games even the World Cup this year. Get the team into watching rugby.

Below I have put some links to some sites that I feel are good resources for rugby especially scrums.

Take the opportunity to print some of this stuff out and get the team to read over it.

There are also a lot of specialist books on line you can buy that will literally walk you through a season's worth of practices.

But the best move would be to put the word out that the team needs a coach - someone will know someone who has played rugby who is willing to come out a couple of nights a week to help out.

I wish I could fly out and coach you myself  because the reality is I would need an e-mail six feet long to simply cover a practice. I wish it was easier.

I really suggest putting the word out for the help from a local rugby player or club.

As for number 8 the big tip here is that you are the main line in defense around the scrum and the main ball carrier for hitting up the ball around rucks and mauls. You will also  want to work in with your back to figure out ways to link up and support them.

You and the half back should be working together at scrum time to have a plan. Get some games on TV or online and watch the number 8 from each team and note down what they do.

Again the use of video to see how you are doing is invaluable and as well as affiliating with a men's club.

These links will be a good start too....


http://www.sru.org.sg/courses/the_scrum_mattryan.pdf

http://myoquip.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html

http://www.coachingrugby.com/

http://coachesinfo.com/category/rugby/

http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/departments-dvds-and-books-rugby-dvds.html