Simple ways to influence the mind of the player

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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.

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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 ...

A word to the wise: semantics do matter

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

Session questions – not session outcomes

How can we stir a curiosity in our players before a training session begins? Can we turn them into peak problem solvers? As I have learned, ...

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Pass quicker, not longer

Faster passing shifts the ball to areas where the defence is not. Defenders find quick passing more challenging, because their focus is ...

Five simple handling homework challenges

Every player should have their own ball at home, and use it. Here are a few basic exercises for your players to work on to improve ball ...

Finishing the tackle

A tackle is completed when the tackler has done all they can to prevent the carrier releasing the ball to their team’s advantage. Work on ...

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.

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

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