Coaching Seven-a-Side Rugby

Introduction:

My recent experience coaching and observing Sevens leads me to recognize that much has changed since I wrote the first manual and workbook in 1997.

This is not unexpected as the game has developed with the selection of bigger, stronger, faster, more skilful and more powerful players.

This has brought into question the relevance of the principles of attack and defence because the mode of attack and defence has changed significantly. Because of the way the game is now being played the principles that are used in attack and defence in the fifteen-a-side game apply to Sevens.

To have common principles for each form of the game allows plays to apply them with a high degree of familiarity.

Do not use the principles used in the original publication.

The text contains a comprehensive range of options and the number a team should adopt will depend on the ability of the players identified by the coach.

It will also depend on the coach’s ability to understand the options and the process of coaching that identifies what should be used.

It is better to do a limited number of options that the players have the ability to perform and to expand this when the players are ready.