CB Playing Squad Standards

It is important that coaches know and understand what standards are expected from players and that you as coaches know what standards you should coach to in order that your players can be selected for the CB Rugby squads.

All players that are selected have been put forward by their Coaches or Teachers as being players with above average playing qualities. What we are looking for at the School of Rugby and the CB Playing squads are players with:

1. The right attitude – towards coaching & developing as a player
2. Physical Potential – speed, strength/power, agility
3. Good Core Skills – in the basic areas of the game
4. Game Understanding

In more detail, these can be broken down into the following: 2

1.      Mental Attributes

• Work Rate - Hunger. Effort. Frequency of involvement. Always in evidence. Looks for work if not coming his/her way during natural course of a game.
• Courage - Makes personal sacrifices in favour of the team. Puts himself in physically exposed positions in matches and contact training.
• Confidence - Trusts in his/her skills. Takes risks. Assertive in conversation.
• Ambition - Wants to be the best player he/she can possibly be.

2.      Physical Attributes

• On-field Physical Presence - quick, strong, powerful, agile and fit.

3.      Technical Skills

Defence

• Tackling Technique - Correct technique in executing a range of different tackles. Good footwork. Equally secure tackling off either shoulder or hand. Picks the right tackle for the situation. Picks the right player to tackle. Doesn’t get injured. Doesn’t miss.
• Contests Possession - Gets hands on the ball when opposition player is tackled. Prevents opposition creating rucks. Makes turnovers. Makes interceptions. Secures loose ball.

Handling

• Passing Technique - Puts the ball into the space where the support runner needs to go. Passes equally well off either hand. Support runner doesn’t have to check stride or over-reach. Chooses the right pass for the situation. Knows when not to pass. Doesn’t give hospital passes.
• Passing Variations - Disguises his/her passes. Confuses opponents. Has a wide range of passes. Comes up with new variations.
• Pass Receipt - Good hand position to receive passes. Varies pass receipt to facilitate own passing variations. Doesn’t drop passes. Collects awkward passes without knocking on.

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Contact

• Controlling the Contact Area Doesn’t spill the ball in contact. Carries in the correct hand going into contact. Makes sure the ball comes back on his/her side quickly. Goes forward on impact. Doesn’t get turned over.
• Ball Presentation - Shows the ball for support runners to anticipate. Knows when to keep driving to re-cycle and not attempt to off-load.
• Off-loading - Controls ball and keeps it clear of tacklers to get off-loads away before, during and after contact. Aware of where support is.
• Secures Possession - Gets to ball carrier and secures ball that might otherwise be turned over.
• Clears Out - Reacts quickly to breakdowns. Clears out opposition players at rucks. Stays on feet. Shows good technique and body position.

Running

• Evasion (Ball Carrier) - Beats opponents with variety of footwork: steps, spins, swerves, jinks, change of pace. Confuses opponents. Uses team mates as diversions. Changes direction equally comfortably off either foot.
• Into Space (as receiver) - Sees space and gets into positions to receive passes. Picks good running lines. Gives ball carrier options. Times runs into the attacking line. Doesn’t “force” forward passes.

1. Game Understanding In Attack & Defence

• Communication - Communicates clearly and accurately. Says just enough.
• Decision Making - Strategic. Reads the game well. Relieves pressure.
• Vision - Plays ‘head-up’. Sees scoring opportunities. Makes ground when he/she breaks. Sees support runners. Aware of defenders. Doesn’t waste overlaps. Doesn’t get isolated with the ball.
• Support - Gets in the right place at the right time, in attack and defence.
• Leadership - Takes responsibility. Leads by example. Stands out when things go wrong. Encourages team mates. Players respect and respond to him/her.
• Knowledge of Laws - Learns from referee’s decisions. Appears ‘streetwise’. Able to play to the limit of the law and not get penalised.

Positional Skills Sheet

The table below is a quick guide to aid coaches in what the positional guidelines are for players.