Role of the props

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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

Being authentic, player relationships and 'why?'

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

Scrums & Lineouts

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.

Lightning quick hooking

Scrum-halves and hookers need to be on the same wavelength. The timing of the put-in and strike must be perfect to ensure clean ball at the ...

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 ...

Lineout bumps

Use this activity as a warm-up before more physical lifting exercises. It works on speed, footwork and efficiency for lineout-pod players.

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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 ...

Out of the firing line

A simple ball-carrying trick to help players retain more ball in contact. Develops the ability to rip down the ball just before contact ...

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 ...

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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.

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.