- facilitate an understanding of how you are going to score tries and how you are going to get the ball back. This could be facilitated before players even meet via foaming a what's app group and getting the players buy in to what they think their strengths maybe in these areas.
For example in defence you may establish a framework which is:
1. We are an "all on feet defence" and only compete in rucks in the 15m areas when teams maybe more isolated- and limited danger for us.
2. When the opposition have a rucks in the 15m wide areas and numbers are equal or we have more defenders- we get off the line and take their space quickly. (You could have odds and evens numbers call for when to"Go Get" from wide areas in defence.
3. You may want to identify and allocate " Turnover Police" in your team. People who are exceptionally good in this area and have licence to challenge anywhere if they feel the steal is on. You're always aiming for 5+ turnovers a game to give your team a chance
Their are some non negotiables in attack for me:
1. If you pass to someone who takes contact then you are responsible for getting the ball back
2. Working the floor (WTF) in contact is a must. North and South only - the ball is the last thing to place back.
3. BIG (Back in game) you must get back in the game quickly from breakdown.
2. If you have time to train focus on the 4 Priority Skills and transition games in training.
-Catch and Pass
-Contact Skills
-Movement
-Kicking
3. Set Piece(These can all be sent out on Whats app beforehand)
- Always start with KO's - get this bit right as every try is connected to a kick restart. Know how you team are going to try and get the ball back.
- Then move to scrums, slow penalties and then lineouts.
- Whats your policy on penalties? Im always aware that quick taps actually lead to more isolations and turnovers at the level I coach than I actually thought!
Other tournament procedures:
1. I have a 40min rule - 40 minuets prior to a game we get up move somewhere together and we discuss selection for the next game, how we are going play, get connected, team ritual sign in and warmup.
2. After game - 30 second debrief straight after match - sign out and onto next process, which is recover, rehab. 1 litre of water and electrolyte tablet. Players have access to x2 laptops and after each game can watch recording which focuses on aspects related to their performance goals.
- Do you plan for nap time?
Warmup :
I think this is a key area. I always send my kickers out 5 minutes ahead to get some strike practice in. I have a bank of exercises which are core in the warmup and then change or add something if there is a particular focus for the next game. For example - when we play Mexico there will be a big emphasis on WTF and Ruck height as they are so good and low over the ball at breakdown.
- Does this help answers some of your questions?
Feel free to touch base anytime and if there are any topics you think are worth touching on in future. Any feedback appreciated.
Cheers Rob and best of luck - let me know how you get on I'm sure you'll smash it!
Just out of curiosity - what part of the world are you coaching in?
Exciting times and thank you for reaching out. I’m am currently in the Bahamas and it’s 11:30pm. I will drop you a message in the morning with some good ideas on how you could approach this. I’m assuming the women don’t really know each other?
Hi Rob,
I wrote an article on something similar to this that you may find useful. The link is attached:
https://open.substack.com/pub/rugby7splaybook/p/how-to-best-prepare-your-7s-team?r=318f0x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I will add some meat to the bones.
1. Establish a Principal Based Framework
- facilitate an understanding of how you are going to score tries and how you are going to get the ball back. This could be facilitated before players even meet via foaming a what's app group and getting the players buy in to what they think their strengths maybe in these areas.
For example in defence you may establish a framework which is:
1. We are an "all on feet defence" and only compete in rucks in the 15m areas when teams maybe more isolated- and limited danger for us.
2. When the opposition have a rucks in the 15m wide areas and numbers are equal or we have more defenders- we get off the line and take their space quickly. (You could have odds and evens numbers call for when to"Go Get" from wide areas in defence.
3. You may want to identify and allocate " Turnover Police" in your team. People who are exceptionally good in this area and have licence to challenge anywhere if they feel the steal is on. You're always aiming for 5+ turnovers a game to give your team a chance
Their are some non negotiables in attack for me:
1. If you pass to someone who takes contact then you are responsible for getting the ball back
2. Working the floor (WTF) in contact is a must. North and South only - the ball is the last thing to place back.
3. BIG (Back in game) you must get back in the game quickly from breakdown.
2. If you have time to train focus on the 4 Priority Skills and transition games in training.
-Catch and Pass
-Contact Skills
-Movement
-Kicking
3. Set Piece(These can all be sent out on Whats app beforehand)
- Always start with KO's - get this bit right as every try is connected to a kick restart. Know how you team are going to try and get the ball back.
- Then move to scrums, slow penalties and then lineouts.
- Whats your policy on penalties? Im always aware that quick taps actually lead to more isolations and turnovers at the level I coach than I actually thought!
Other tournament procedures:
1. I have a 40min rule - 40 minuets prior to a game we get up move somewhere together and we discuss selection for the next game, how we are going play, get connected, team ritual sign in and warmup.
2. After game - 30 second debrief straight after match - sign out and onto next process, which is recover, rehab. 1 litre of water and electrolyte tablet. Players have access to x2 laptops and after each game can watch recording which focuses on aspects related to their performance goals.
- Do you plan for nap time?
Warmup :
I think this is a key area. I always send my kickers out 5 minutes ahead to get some strike practice in. I have a bank of exercises which are core in the warmup and then change or add something if there is a particular focus for the next game. For example - when we play Mexico there will be a big emphasis on WTF and Ruck height as they are so good and low over the ball at breakdown.
- Does this help answers some of your questions?
Feel free to touch base anytime and if there are any topics you think are worth touching on in future. Any feedback appreciated.
Cheers Rob and best of luck - let me know how you get on I'm sure you'll smash it!
Just out of curiosity - what part of the world are you coaching in?
Hi Jamie,
Just subscribed.
I’m coaching a scratch women’s sevens team next weekend, women from 3 different clubs.
On paper, they could be a contender for the competition, but obviously the pre-match drills, tactics and instructions are going to be critical.
What would you do?
Hey Rob!
Exciting times and thank you for reaching out. I’m am currently in the Bahamas and it’s 11:30pm. I will drop you a message in the morning with some good ideas on how you could approach this. I’m assuming the women don’t really know each other?
Cheers
Jamie
Thanks!