Rugby coaching tips for improving your number 10s

There are obvious rugby skills and techniques necessary for someone playing 10: passing, running, kicking and tackling. However, most of the best number 10s also have great leadership ability and a tactical knowledge of what to do where and when.

Tactics can be developed in many areas of a 10's game, by looking at the options available from different points on the field and from various types of delivery.

The decision-making process can start by walking the pitch and looking at the options from scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls in different places.

However, defending players should also have a large influence on what the 10 decides.

Reading the defence

The 10 has lots of options from various starting positions. What else does he have to look at before deciding what to do?

1. The defenders' alignment.
2. Any weak tackling defenders.
3. The attacking strengths of his team mates.
4. His position on the field.
5. Whether his forwards are winning good set piece possession.

This is a lot for a young player to take in. You, as the coach, have a key role in helping your young 10 to understand his decision-making role.

Put him in the situation more than once

A learning process can take place when a player is put into the same decision-making situation several times. The player will begin to learn what is successful and what is not.

Use this rugby drill. The 10 is passed the ball while under pressure from three defenders. He has a number of options and will learn what is possible and successful the more he practises this particular scenario.

Develop live situations where your 10 has to make a decision from different points on the pitch and from various starting situations. This will really help him become the "man in control".

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Click the link to see more rugby coaching tips for your fly half.