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Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

Editor's Picks

Challenging players of differing abilities

Behind the scenes with: England U18s

Saracens Academy: Behind the scenes with the Wolfpack

Inside the plan for an international match

My best tackle drill

How To Coach

Ask Dan: Instilling more fire and desire into your players

Coaching problem? Put it to our head coach Dan Cottrell.

Speaking in riddles

A guide to different strategies for getting our message across and why we must strike a balance between questions and direct instruction to ...

How to empower players

Steve Smith explains how Lichfield introduced a player-led skills programme to improve engagement, learning and development with the club’s ...

Pre-match warm-up

The language we use is pivotal to our coaching. The words we speak create meaning, shape experiences and form our understanding. In my view,...

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Don't do that, do this

Being observed as a coach can feel intimidating, but it’s an invaluable opportunity for growth and improvement.

Ask Dan: Defending better from set pieces

Coaching problem? Put it to our head coach Dan Cottrell. This time: Defending better from scrums and lineouts.

Ask Dan: Spreading out and exploiting space

Coaching problem? Put it to our head coach Dan Cottrell. This time: Encouraging players to spread out and exploit space.

Winning wet lineouts

With a slippery ball, ensure lineouts are secure by getting the jumper into space to meet the throw. A pod of three acts together to beat ...

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Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

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All the latest techniques and approaches

Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.