Be a More Confident, Successful Rugby Coach in Just 30 Minutes a Month

The simple secrets to achieving your full potential are here

Dear Fellow Rugby Coach, Do you ever worry that you, rather than your players, have let the side down? What if you could banish that nagging doubt with a little more knowledge, an ounce of extra insight, and a few tricks of the trade? Give me a few minutes of your time now, and you will discover how some simple but powerful techniques can put “magic” at your fingertips.

These performance-boosting methods have worked wonders for rugby coaches around the world.

You probably have never heard of them, let alone put them into practice. To learn about them today, read on.

My name is Dan - I’m a rugby coaching magpie

Throughout my 20 year senior playing and coaching career, I’ve been a magpie. I’m constantly collecting shiny new ways of doing things, noisily squawking around and sticking my beak in, asking questions, borrowing advice, pinching insights.

What catches my eye are the simple yet massively powerful rules of human nature that can be turned into practical tools to solve everyday coaching problems – the ones you face all season long.

You, Coach, can get your hands on these “magic” secrets to lift your game and your career today and every month, by becoming a member of the International Rugby Technical Journal.

The International Rugby Technical Journal is the journal of record for experienced and aspirational rugby coaches worldwide. It features only expert technical coaching, tactical and motivational articles written by senior rugby coaches.

My pledge to you

Exclusively for this kind of resource, the International Rugby Technical Journal comes with my own very special, and unbeatable pledge.

I personally guarantee that if you read and follow the advice in my newsletter, you will see a marked improvement in your coaching and the performance of your team.

If you don’t, I’ll give you your money back, at any time during your membership.

OK, I hear you asking:“How can he be so sure?”

Well, you are the ultimate judge, but my confidence comes from having learned from these secrets myself.

I have used the very same methods and techniques that I publish to grow as a coach myself and “turn around” at least a dozen teams.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t benefit in the same way.

For example, in 1999, I began coaching a school side that had won just one game in four years.

My first step was to drum into the players one of my favourite mottos: “Simple things, done well, and at speed”. This was done by frequent repetition and having the words on team T-shirts.

Then I concentrated on three key aspects: set pieces (we completely reworked the lineout approach), defence and attack.

A system of targets and rewards for reaching them was introduced, and a new kit symbolised a revitalised culture.

My team won its next 10 games out of 16.

Someone said I had given the players belief in themselves.

Recently, I worked with a junior team that was having a pretty ordinary season.

With the application of simple concentration principles during a tournament, they beat two teams that had previously defeated them.

But you don’t have to rely on my word as evidence of the value of these simple but “magic” methods. Members of the International Rugby Technical Journal have put them into practice all around the world and triggered outstanding results.

Alister Smith, a coach at Narromine Rugby Union Football Club in New South Wales, Australia told me the ideas in the newsletter are “proving an invaluable tool in my development as a coach.”

Steve Andrews, coach of the East Grinstead RFC Intermediates Section in England says the newsletter “has doubtless taken our coaching level a notch or three higher.”

For Guy McKim, the coach of Dakota High School, in Winnipeg, Canada: “I read it and can apply something immediately. It is not only informative but thought provoking. It makes me think: “why didn’t I think of that?” .”

And the word has spread to the tiny Solomon Islands, where coach Ken Averre has applied the methods to his fledgling team.

“It has given us a fresh insight into the game and a distinct advantage over the competition,” says Ken.

Here are 49 further comments from the International Rugby Technical Journal members around the world who have benefited from the power of my “magic” tips.

“Easy to read and implement” – John Mitchell
“The International Rugby Technical Journal offers a common sense approach to coaching, easy to read and implement. I would recommend it to any aspiring coach.”
- John Mitchell, Coach, Ryde School, Isle of Wight, England

“Of great benefit to teachers coaching at all abilities at our school. It provides excellent value for money for us working in the state sector.”
- Mike Davies, John Fisher School, Surrey, England

“Very informative and contemporary. A useful information tool to keep abreast of what is happening in the Northern Hemisphere.”
- Stephen Boyd, Head Coach, South Australia Senior Representative

“Saved me countless hours of research” – Harold Behr
“The International Rugby Technical Journal has provided me access to top-flight coaching mentors. Their insights have saved me countless hours of research.”
- Harold Bahr, Head Coach, Gotham Knights RFC, New York, USA

“Provides me with excellent reinforcement to my own skills and abilities, keeping me up to date with new drills, techniques, thought processes and ways of monitoring and developing improved performance. An excellent tool in my kit bag. I would recommend it to any coach at any level.”
- David Pitt, Westcliff RFC, England

“A great source of new ideas and constantly keeps you thinking about how we approach coaching and the game as a whole.”
- Dave Roberts, Director of Sport, Eagle House School, Sandhurst, England

“Helps generate fresh ideas to keep training sessions interesting and challenging.”
- Gareth Lewis, Captain, Manhattan RFC, New York, USA

“Your newsletter has already had a positive reaction from my youth side. Following your article I asked all parents and coaches involved not to get at the referee. This was obliged, and the knock on effect was total respect from the players. This included the more animated ones.”
- Andrew Dacey, Aberavon Quins RFC, Wales

“Busy coaches need fresh, short, sharp, no-nonsense ideas conveyed in a clear format. You get this in Dan Cottrell’s newsletter.”
- Fergus McCarthy, Coach, Old Emanuel RFC, London, England

“I’ve found the International Rugby Technical Journal an essential resource here in Italy where support materials are impossible to come by. The imagination demonstrated by the author confirms my thoughts that coaches should try to always think “outside the box”, and I certainly pass on the content to my coaches here.”
- “Jeppo” Andrew Jepson, Development Director, Arix Viadana Rugby, Viadana, Italy

“It is quick to read yet contains tons of useful tips and information.”
- Marianne Ellis, Bath Rugby Ladies and University of Bath Ladies, England

“Receiving quality coaching tips online is so convenient, a very welcome innovation.”
- Ray Codd, Master in Charge of Rugby, King’s College, Taunton, England

“Highly recommended” – Richard Young
“As a high school women’s rugby coach teaching the game to many young women who have never picked up a rugby ball in their lives, I find Dan Cottrell’s the tips and suggestions extremely helpful in planning my practices. The language is straightforward and not burdened with too much technical jargon. Highly recommended for rugby coaches at all levels.”
- Richard Young, Head Coach, Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School Women’s Rugby Club, Ontario, Canada

“Full of practical tips for players of all ages and abilities. It generates a lot of interest in our staff room.”
- Paul Wickens, PE Teacher at Monkton Combe School, Bath, England

"I’ve saved every issue and will continually look back to reference something that I’ve read. It definitely has helped improve my coaching techniques."
- Chris “Murph” Anderson, Head Coach – Mon River Maniacs U-19 Girls, and Washington and Jefferson College Women.

“If you want to keep up to date as a coach of young players, there is no better way than through the International Rugby Technical Journal .”
- Bob Russell, Coaching Co-ordinator, Canterbury RFC Minis/Juniors, Canterbury, England

“Immensely helpful for providing both variety and up to date ideas on how to approach training sessions.”
- Matthew Clark, Reigate Grammar School & Surrey Youth Coach, England

“As someone new to coaching I’m always on the look out for ideas, be they skill based or just bits of fun. For practices which inform and/or entertain. The International Rugby Technical Journal fits the bill on both fronts.”
- Lyndon Walters, Hammersmith & Fulham RFC, London, England

“A great service” – Gary Cross
“You provide a great service to the rugby coaching community. I look forward to receiving each month’s issue. The topics are really interesting and the drills simple to follow. The input from international coaches really has helped my coaching of Under 11 year olds.”
- Gary Cross, Aylesbury RFC, England

“The newsletter gives good basic advice for coaches to keep training sessions interesting and stimulating for players.”
- Jamieson Shearer, Director of Coaching, Huntly RFC, Scotland

“A complete revelation” – Jim Close
“I am a great fan of this publication. As mini-rugby coaches, we all reach that point where the basic skills routines just aren’t enough to develop the players. I have found that the International Rugby Technical Journal takes you to the next level by offering clear and easily digestible advice for developing the tactical and mental aspects of the game - something that just isn’t available from any other source. The International Rugby Technical Journal has been a complete revelation for me. Its great strength is its contemporary nature; none of the great tomes on coaching theory can provide analysis of the games you were watching last month, combined with pragmatic advice on applying the latest practices of the top coaches to your own team. the International Rugby Technical Journal combines articles from all the top thinkers in today’s game.”
- Jim Close, Haslemere CRFC, England

“I am a very inexperienced juniors and ladies coach who has subscribed to rugby coach on the advice of Evan Crawford (a former RFU Head of Coaching) and find the details given by the International Rugby Technical Journal interesting and understandable to make it easy for me to apply it to my own limited abilities. Because it comes through email, I am able to return to it whenever necessary and when time permits and it increases my understanding of aspects of coaching and play that I wouldn’t normally get.”
- Jan Duncan, Westoe RFC Junior Section, Jarrow, England

“I’m actually coaching rugby league in Australia and find most of the things relevant to what I’m trying to achieve. I get a lot of good info off Dan.”
- Roy Jewitt, Rugby League Coach, Yanco Wamoon, New South Wales, Australia

“An informative and practical aid to developing as a coach. It never fails to be thought provoking, and really encourages me to reflect on my practice as a means of improving my coaching. Perhaps most importantly it is written in a clear and accessible manner, mercifully free from jargon.”
- Peter Tann, Head of Rugby, Windermere St Anne’s School

“I have found the advice given to be of great use in helping me hone the finer and often ignored points of the game. Some of the training tips have enabled me to create a more diverse practice and utilise equipment more effectively.”
- Elliot Howard, London

“I fully support Dan’s initiative and know how much good practice it will engender among the coaching fraternity, especially as coaches need all the support they can get in order to keep up to date and remain stimulated.”
- Des Diamond, RFU Coaching Development Manager, England

“After playing rugby for many years, one wet Tuesday evening I found myself coaching my local team. My skills totally inadequate, I needed a quick fix. After signing up to the International Rugby Technical Journal I now have a very informative file of articles that enable me to oversee a structured and informed coaching session as all coaching techniques are best practise and up to date.”
- Mark Wheeler, Fakenham Rugby Club, England

“Simple yet really effective” – Ieuan Macey
“I find Dan’s advice is easy to understand and, more importantly, to translate onto the training pitch, especially with a bunch of rowdy 13 year olds to contend with! I have also found that his ideas are simple yet really effective and varied - I just wish I was a full time coach to be able to develop more of his methods.”
- Ieuan Macey, Cleve RFC U13 Coach, Bristol, England

“I read the International Rugby Technical Journal to help me for when I do my Mini/Midi coaching award. It has certainly opened up my eyes and I’m seeing things in a very new and positive way. I believe the newsletter will be an invaluable tool for me now and for the future.”
- Don Compton, Blackheath U13s, England

“This publication has been a godsend” – Paul Newbery
“This is the first season that I have coached alone and this publication has been a godsend to me. In the short period that I have subscribed I have picked up some useful tips that I have either taken on board as described or adapted. They are simple and the most important thing to me is that it makes me think, which is sometimes difficult for a retired prop.”
- Paul Newbery, Dorchester RFC, (Mini and Youth Section), England

“I’m currently Level 1 working towards Level 2 with juniors/youth rugby, and returned late to the game as an adult player after not playing since school. Consequently, I found the International Rugby Technical Journal informative but simple to understand. Gets to the point quickly and has some good ideas for new training techniques and training games.”
- Richard Hardy, England

I really look forward to receiving my monthly edition. It is written in such an informative way yet so easy to read being packed with many practical suggestions to improve your skills and enjoyment as a rugby coach.”
- Edwin Doran, Richmond RFC, England

“I find the tips that Dan provides are very concise and brilliant memory joggers. They are also extremely refreshing for coaches that can at times get set in their ways.”
- Keith Shurville, Northampton Old Scouts RFC, England

“I find the drills especially useful, both for senior and junior players, and well illustrated. Many of Dan’s suggestions can be used to create highly productive training sessions, but also serve as useful gap-fillers at the start or end of practice. I find the format particularly useful with regard to passing on ideas to other colleagues.”
- Ed Flitters, Master i/c 1st XV, St. Aloysius’ College, Glasgow, Scotland

“Having difficulty in putting them down” – Mark Lowe
“Many thanks for the International Rugby Technical Journal, I have now signed up and received both the December and January editions and am having difficulty in putting them down.”
- Mark Lowe, Under 18s Manager, Rosslyn Park RFC, England

“The International Rugby Technical Journal has been great. It allows me to deeply analyze some aspect of the game and helps my coaching with tips, drills and in line with the modern aspects of the game.”
- Simon Berti, Coach of Los Troncos, senior first division team in Chile

“The coaches of rugby teams at the school have found it very useful for “brushing up” on technical weaknesses in their coaching and for providing fresh and innovative drills to enliven a session.”
- John Hewitt, Sevenoaks School, England

“Keeps me up to date with thinking and practices in the senior game.”
- Simon McDowell, Westcombe Park RFC, England

“I’ve enjoyed your articles and have recommended them within our club. They have stimulated debate more than any of the magazines we share around. Keep up the good work!”
- Geraint Pugh, Croydon RFC, England

By reading and following the insights and knowledge in Rugby Coach, these members are taking action and boosting their coaching prowess to who knows what heights.

Ask yourself what these secrets could do for you

As a member, you too will get something valuable that you can use every month.

Simply by reading and acting upon a single proven strategy will lead to a measurable improvement.

Pile one brick upon another and soon you’re building something important.

You will have an “unfair advantage” over the competition.

As a member, the following “magic” secrets will be revealed to you…

• Two simple strategies for scoring more tries.
• A new way to coach tackling and win more turnovers.
• The tactics for beating heavier and bigger teams.
• Improving your team’s support play – whatever the level of your players.
• Creating better “option takers” with games-based coaching.
• The “must know” lineout coaching methods.
• Smart core skills training for better results, faster.
• Correcting mistakes and minimising errors with intense sessions.
• Using brains not brawn to clearing out rucks more quickly.
• Introducing decision making into contact skills training.
• The strongest body positions through contact.
• Harnessing and focusing your scrum’s power.
• Adapting your game plan to suit your team’s strengths.
• Overcoming early disappointment to revitalise your season.
• Lowering the lineout – a simple way to bamboozle the opposition.
• A timing trick to create better scrummagers.
• Using game intelligence (GI) to create better all round players.
• Four secrets to the best “fast hands” session.
• Back peel basics – three moves to run from your lineout.
• Enchancing your players’ one-on-one tackle prowess.
• A vital tecnique to power up at the contact collision.
• The options in contact for isolated players.
• Kick-starting momementum from a slow ruck.
• The insider’s guide to the All Blacks’ scrum.
• The role of the scrum half at the ELV scrum.
• The players’ ready-reckoner to avoiding penalties at rucks.
• The ABC of attack rugby – using width, waves of runners and depth.
• Making better planning the key to better team run throughs.
• Strategies to make the pre match team talk matter.
• How knowing the advantage law will help your players make the most of it.
• Playing the percentages – plan to take the right risks in matches.

• How to beat Richie McCaw at the breakdown.
• Using “feedforward” to highlight poor player skills.
• Ways to outwit an aggressive defence.
• Focus on getting more height from your lineout jumpers.
• Chase and recover – a “one session wonder” for the kick off.
• Grab and twist to drive out at rucks an innovative technique borrowed from wrestling.
• Four tips to limiting the damage to your forwards’ necks.
• The techniques to passing quicker, more accurately every time.
• Organising a solid defensive line in one session.
• Identifying and correcting an individual player’s mistakes.
• Game related training – ways to make sessions more realistic.
• Openside flanker masterclass – the key techniques and tactics required of the position.
• Forgotten secrets of the lineout.
• Re-energise your coaching – tried and tested methods to getting out of a rut.
• Wrestling with rugby benefits – intergating wrestling into your contact practices.
• Your first attacking option – using the high ball at kick off and restarts.
• Key methods to quicker acceleration for all players.
• Centre of attention – an innovative way to coaching small groups.
• Visualisation without the jargon – real ways to build confidence on match day.
• Gaps and games – ways to boost your players’ “pace on the ball”.
• Creating technical sessions to focus on one element of rugby.
• Rabbit in the blitz – adapting the blitz defence to take man and ball.
• Rugby speed – 6 practical ways to improve all your players’ speed.
• Persuasive coaching wins games – 5 methods to boost your delivery.
• Beating the blitz with the perfect cross kick.
• Dealing with the ruck “poacher” – identifying the different threats at rucks.
• The “big hit” trick – a simple ploy to create holes in the defensive line.
• Footwork training for individuals and groups.
• Make limited training space work – 5 solutions to a frequent problem.
• 4 golden rules for experimenting in training.
• Off season fitness tips.
• Box escape training game for better support running.
• Coaching the building blocks to success – focusing your training on what you need to do win.
• How I reversed a 58 point loss – changing a losing team’s attitude.
• Building a complete session around the maul.
• The keys to creating an organised, rugged defence.
• Plyometric training for pace and power.
• Creating a season plan to get the most from your players.
• A new way to train to clear out rucks.
• The 3 main roles of the modern coach.
• The techniques and tactics of the spin / spiral pass.
• Training secrets of the top coaches – how to add the “X Factor” into your coaching.
• Fine-tuning your players’ techniques.
• Managing your selection meetings to get what you want.
• The kick and chase game under the ELVs.
• From good to great – 8 ways to make your sessions excel.

• Pre season games for fitness and skills.
• An intense session for aggressive tackling.
• Identifying and selecting the right coaching assistant.
• How structured training and game plans can encourage “risk free” flair teams.
• Inside space at the ELV scrum – exploiting the 7m gap between their flanker and 10.
• 5 methods to sharpen your team’s handling.
• Pressure passing in training for maximum results on the pitch.
• Strategies for building better, more effective training sessions.
• Accurate lineout throwing every time.
• Successfully coaching better decision making.
• A contact warm up you cannot ignore.
• Using “CLAPP” for passing accuracy.
• Using muscle tension to improve a player’s performance.
• Decision making exercises for midfield players.
• Setting goals to create the patterns of play to suit the team.
• Maximising your core skills training time.
• Adding pressure into your team run throughs.
• The kicking matrix – a simple way to plan your kicking strategy.
• 5 methods for making big match nerves work for your team.
• 4 ways to maximise your players’ chances of winning front-on tackles.
• How to maintain a balanced approach to unit skills training throughout the season.
• How the top coaches use the hour before the game to prepare their players.
• Changing your game plan when the opposition are outplaying you.
• Rethinking 2 v 1 training to make it more game realistic.
• The scrum half factory – the key factors in coaching this pivotal role.
• Tactical choices – ways to measure your strengths and weaknesses against the opposition.
• Drift defence demons – improving your players’ stance, tackling and line discipline.

No other rugby coaching manual, textbook, video or DVD is as topical as the International Rugby Technical Journal.

 The International Rugby Technical Journal is not available in any newsagent or bookstore and is delivered exclusively to members by email every month. It is free from distracting external advertising, giving you pure coaching advice on every page.

You get coaching lessons from the most recent national and international matches. For instance, just from the Super 14s, Six Nations and World Cup we have analysed:

• The All Blacks’ innovative scrummaging techniques.
• How scrum halves are blocking the clearing pass.
• England’s pre-game preparation.
• Planning for interceptions.
• The two simple tactics that ensure Wales score more tries.
• Ireland’s strategic kicking game.
• How Aussie Rules has influenced rugby kick off receipts.
• The “wrong side guard” at rucks.
• Italy’s radical approach to defending against mauls.
• Scotland’s tactic of not contesting at lineouts.
• The affect of the ELVs on back row moves.
• France’s approach to beating “blitz” defences.
• New Zealand teams’ rucking prowess.
• How the Puma’s outwitted the most organised defensive systems.
• The benefits of kicking against the grain.
• The tactics that won the World Cup for South Africa.

No other rugby coaching resource is as comprehensive in its range of coverage.

Yet because all the articles are short and to the point you can read the newsletter in 30 minutes a month. You can store issues on the desktop of your PC and dip back into the pages when you like.

You are free to share the advice within your school or club, but please don’t send it to “outsiders”, or post the contents on websites.

No other rugby coaching resource better reflects the needs of its members because I write about subjects that are important to you the coach. Much of what I do is triggered by reader enquiries.

I’m always available to answer questions, whether by email or through the pages of the newsletter.

I save you hours of time by ensuring that you don’t have to trawl through the internet or dry old coaching manuals looking for information.

Even a small improvement in your coaching outcomes will lift your personal and professional confidence levels. You could be noticing the difference as soon as you start using them.

Build on the experience you gain from these methods and you could enhance your career, or even change your life.

How will you feel as a result? Will you be looking at higher goals than before? What more could you achieve by standing on a higher platform?

Who knows, with just one small step today, you could be laying the foundations for a great triumph in the future.

The choice is yours. Put me to the test and decide for yourself on the value you extract from the International Rugby Technical Journal – or do nothing and carry on as you are.

You have absolutely nothing to lose by becoming a member today, as you have the assurance of my guarantee. Prove the benefits to yourself or get your money back at any time during your annual membership.

I’m so convinced that the International Rugby Technical Journal will help you that I’ve persuaded my publisher to make this best ever special offer to you today:

1. He’s agreed to knock £20 off the full price  for 12 issues (one year).
2. Motivating Your Team for Their Best Ever Season - Compiled from extensive research into the most effective techniques and strategies used in training and during the game, the report is a practical, no-nonsense guide to getting your players to perform to their true potential worth £43 - FREE when you sign up for one year
3. Match Day Tactics to Give Your Team an Edge - 51 pages of valuable coaching insights to ensure your team's match day performance really packs a punch, worth £43 - FREE when you sign up for one year
4. You will receive the three most recent issues of the International Rugby Technical Journal, worth £15. A bundle of coaching secrets to start you off today, within hours of beginning your membership. Your next 11 issues will follow each month on publication.
5. And remember - you have the assurance of my money back guarantee. If the International Rugby Technical Journal doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can get all your money back.

Sign-up by clicking here now to find that elusive rugby coaching magic you have been seeking.

Your first three issues of the International Rugby Technical Journal and your special reports will be shooting across the internet to you within the next few hours. You can keep the special report and the issues, even if you cancel your membership.

Minutes after reading them you will already have boosted your personal database of training ideas and raised your coaching confidence levels. Be prepared to watch your coaching skyrocket.

I’m convinced I can make a genuine difference to your coaching in so many positive ways, so please don’t pass on this special opportunity.

Make simple coaching magic work for you!

Yours in rugby,

Dan Cottrell, International Rugby Technical Journal.
Editor

P.S. You may like to know that coaches in 53 countries including the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are now members of the International Rugby Technical Journal.

P.P.S. Just one final reminder about your total protection under my money back guarantee. If you don’t benefit from the newsletter you can have your money returned at any time during the life of the annual membership.

Green Star Media Ltd. Registered in England as a company. Registered Office: Meadow View, Tannery Lane, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0AB, United Kingdom. Company number: 3008779. Telephone: +44 (0)1483 892894. Fax: +44 (0)1483 894148. Email: info@greenstarmedia.net © 2009. Green Star Media Ltd