Rugby Coach Weekly
Dan Cottrell and guests discuss all the hot topics in grass roots rugby coaching from managing concussion to dealing with parents.
Bench Warmers, Buy-In, and Being Different, with Ben Herring
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In this episode, Dan Cottrell catches up with the globetrotting coach and former pro player Ben Herring. From being told he was too small for the 1st XV to wrestling with his dad for jackal strength, Ben shares a raw and inspiring journey through rugby, coaching, and personal growth.
Now Director of Rugby at Newington College and host of The Coaching Culture podcast, Ben reflects on how being underestimated shaped his coaching philosophy, why finding your niche is key to player success, and what it really means to develop...
Unlocking Creativity in Coaching with Dr. Michael Francis Pollin
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Dr. Michael Francis Pollin, a leading expert in coach development and coaching behaviours for player learning, development and performance. They dive into the fascinating world of creativity in rugby coaching, challenging traditional perceptions and exploring how creativity is not just a product but a process.
Michael shares insights from his research and experience working with elite football and rugby academies, discussing how coaches can create environments that foster cognitive awareness, adaptability, and decision-making. From exploring the...
From First XV to U14s: Coaching Rugby Across the Age Groups
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Charlie Harrison, former professional player for Bath, Bedford, Rotherham and player/coach at Doncaster, ex-Head of Rugby at Marlborough College, and now coach of the U14s at Marlborough.Â
They discuss the transition from coaching First XV to working with younger players, the importance of game-based learning, and how to develop players beyond just their physical attributes.Â
Charlie shares insights into structuring training sessions, managing player progression, and fostering a long-term love for the game.Â
<...Mastering Rugby Skills with The Rugby Trainer â Ben Johnâs Coaching Journey
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Ben John, better known as The Rugby Trainer, to explore his unique coaching philosophy and the rise of his hugely popular online brand. Ben shares how he transitioned from professional rugby to skill-specific coaching, the impact of his viral content, and the importance of developing core rugby skills through creative and engaging methods.
From insights on improving individual technique to the role of social media in coaching, Ben discusses how he engages young players and what makes...
The Why Behind Coaching: Developing Expertise and Decision-Making
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell welcomes Jamie TaylorâAssistant Professor of Elite Performance at Dublin City University, Academy Coach with Leicester Tigers, and Senior Coach Developer at Grey Matters UK.Â
Together, they dive into the practical aspects of coaching, discussing session planning, skill acquisition, and what it truly means to develop coaching expertise.Â
Jamie challenges conventional ideas on coaching theory, explaining the importance of understanding "why" we coach the way we do and how we can design better learning experiences for players.Â
Whe...
The research secrets of dominant tackling revealed
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Tackling is at the heart of rugby, but what truly makes a tackle dominant or a miss?Â
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, host Dan Cottrell welcomes Oli Bishop, defence coach for Ealing Trailfinders Women and U23s, to break down the science behind effective tackling. Oli shares insights from his Level 4 RFU research, exploring the key characteristics of dominant tackles, the role of balance and momentum, and the phases of a successful tackle.
F...
From Recruitment to Retention: Lessons in Coaching Girls' Rugby, with Sam Halliday
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Sam Halliday, a PE teacher and rugby coach working with the Oxfordshire U16 PDG squad and Brackley U14 girls.Â
Sam shares his insights on building a thriving coaching environment, fostering player ownership, and creating opportunities for girls in rugby.Â
He discusses the importance of peer-led learning, developing confidence in new players, and how structured yet flexible coaching can lead to lasting engagement. Whether you're coaching grassroots rugby or looking to refine your approach to player de...
Beyond Perfection: Coaching for Excellence with Lewis Hatchett
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Lewis Hatchettâformer professional cricketer, mindset coach, and creator of the MindStrong Sport app. They discuss perfectionism in sport, its benefits and drawbacks, and how it affects athletes and coaches.
Lewis shares his personal experiences with perfectionism, explaining how it can drive high performance but also lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of failure. The conversation explores the impact of coaching environments, the role of perceived perfectionism, and how athletes can shift towards "excellencism"âstri...
Fundraising for Grassroots Rugby: Secrets to Success with Ed Flynn
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Raising funds for grassroots rugby can feel like an uphill battle, but Ed Flynn has cracked the code.Â
In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Ed, a coach and fundraising powerhouse, to uncover the strategies that have helped his clubs thrive.Â
From securing local business sponsorships to running hugely successful raffles and race nights, Ed shares his tried-and-tested methods for generating support, engaging the community, and ensuring clubs have the resources they need to grow.
To find out more ab...
Building Better Coaches: Ethics, Education, and Inclusion with Stuart Armstrong
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Join Dan Cottrell on the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast as he dives into a compelling conversation with Stuart Armstrong, renowned coach developer and host of The Talent Equation podcast.Â
Together, they tackle the nuanced topic of ethical coachingâwhat it means, why it matters, and how it can transform both grassroots and elite coaching environments. With insights drawn from Stuartâs extensive experience in sports development and hands-on coaching experience, this episode explores the practical and philosophical dilemmas coaches face daily, from balancing inclusivity to navigating moral decision-making in competitive settings.
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Emotion on the Field: Coaching with Heart and Strength
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Join Rugby Coach Weekly's Dan Cottrell as he sits down with Marlo Boyd, Bath Rugbyâs Development Officer, Bath University women's forward's coach and former Bristol Bears player.Â
Marlo opens up about her unconventional journey into rugby, the lessons she's learned about managing emotionsâboth hers and her playersââand how emotional intelligence can foster trust and growth in a team. Together, they explore actionable strategies for coaches to incorporate empathy, manage emotional highs and lows, and build a safe yet driven environment for players to thrive.
To find...
Coaching Through the Lens: Simple and Effective Video Analysis
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Dan Cottrell welcomes Craig Wilson, director of rugby at Yale University and founder of The Contact Coach. Together, they explore practical, accessible approaches to video analysis for grassroots coaches.Â
Craig shares personal experiences of using simple toolsâsmartphones, clipboards, and a bit of creativityâto make analysis both effective and manageable, even without high-end tech.
The conversation covers:
Using footage to boost playersâ confidence, Balancing critical and positive feedback, And how to avoid overwhelming players (or yourself!) with too much information.ÂFind lots of takeaway ideas you can use im...
Myths of motivating athletes with Dr Mark Carroll
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell welcomes Dr. Mark Carroll, a sports coach and lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, and a host of Labours of Sports Coaching. Together, they delve into the myths and realities of motivation in sports coaching.
This conversation challenges traditional approaches and offers fresh insights. From breaking down misconceptions about the coach's role as the ultimate motivator to exploring how self-determination theory and other frameworks can shape coaching practice, Dr. Carroll discusses the delicate balance between external motivators...
Do Women Tackle Differently? Coaching, Challenges, and Solutions
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell discusses tackling in womenâs rugby with Kathryn Dane, an international rugby player, sports scientist, and coach.Â
Kathryn, who has 23 caps for Ireland and is the coach for Ulster Women's Rugby and Old Belvedere, shares insights from her groundbreaking research into safety, skill acquisition, and performance in tackling. She discusses:
Building Rugby from the Ground Up: How Adam Izzard is Transforming Rugby at Stonar School
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Adam Izzard, Head of Rugby and Head of Boarding at Stonar School. Adam shares his inspiring journey of building a rugby program from scratch at a small, co-educational school better known for its equestrian facilities than its rugby teams.
From turning a horse paddock into a full-size rugby pitch to coaching a first XV squad made up of players with little to no rugby experience, Adamâs approach to developing the sport is packed with lessons for co...
Tackling Myths in Coaching with Mark Williams
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In this episode, Dan Cottrell sits down with renowned sports scientist and learning expert Mark Williams to explore some of the most controversial and misunderstood myths in sports coaching.
Mark is a visiting professor at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. A world-leading expert in skill acquisition, Mark has authored 20 books and nearly 300 research papers and advised top sports organisations like FIFA, UEFA, and the EPL.
His latest book is: The Best: How Elite Athletes Are Made with Tim Wigmore. Click the link to...
Practical rugby ways to use âIt dependsâ from the man himself!
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Join Dan Cottrell as he dives deep with coaching legend Dave Collins in this thought-provoking episode of Rugby Coach Weekly. Together, they explore how context dictates coaching strategies and how to develop adaptable, critical-thinking players. Dave tackles big questions:
What does a Dave Collins rugby session look like?How do you balance questioning with active practice?Why is âIt dependsâ a cornerstone of professional judgment in coaching?How do you foster curiosity and skill acquisition in players and coaches?Whatâs the role of exp...Unlocking Skill Acquisition with Danny Powell
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Join host Dan Cottrell as he sits down with Danny Powell, a skill acquisition developer and performance psychologist from Manchester Metropolitan University. Danny shares his expertise working with coaches, including GB Aquatics and Sale Sharks, to explore the art and science behind skill acquisition.
In this episode, they dive deep into:
What "skill acquisition" really means and why it matters for coaches.Practical approaches to helping athletes learn and refine motor skills.The balance between conscious and automatic learning processes.How coaches can evolve their own...How we built a team from five players to 25 and why they loving coming back to play
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Dan Cottrell chats with Graham Bourton, head coach of the Milton Keynes Under 15s. Since taking over in 2016, Graham has transformed the team from a mere 5 players to a thriving squad of 25, thanks to his innovative coaching methods and strong community engagement.
In this engaging conversation, Graham shares:
His journey from rugby parent to influential coach.The methods and training courses that shaped his approach.Strategies for player development and creating a fun, competitive environment.How he overcame challenges like COVID-19 to keep players engaged and motivated.Tips...Why training on a Monday and Tuesday night means we field six men's teams a week, with Alex Hadley
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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly Podcast, host Dan Cottrell sits down with Alex Hadley, Director of Rugby at Battersea Ironsides, to explore what it takes to build and sustain one of the world's largest community rugby clubs.Â
Alex shares insights on balancing player availability and club culture, creating a positive and welcoming environment, and using flexible strategies to engage and retain players. The conversation delves into the challenges of running a successful rugby club in London, including managing training schedules, fostering player development, and finding effective systems to k...
Building Rugby Culture: Engaging Schools, New Players, and Overcoming Coaching Challenges
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In this episode, Dan and Lindsay Abery, Thatcham U14 coach and former mini and junior chair, dive into the ins and outs of building a thriving rugby culture in schools.Â
They tackle essential topics like engaging new players, ensuring safety with innovative techniques, and adapting coaching styles for different age groups.Â
Lindsay shares practical strategies for growing rugby's reach, including tips on creating a standout coaching CV and breaking into school coaching environments.Â
With a mix of personal stories, practical insights, and a few laughs, Dan and Lin...
Inside a training session with Fi Hayes, one of Ireland's top women's rugby coaches
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Fi Hayes is a former Ireland international, winning two Six Nations and representing her country in the 2014 World Cup.
More recently, she has coached UL Bohemians to cup and league titles, been head coach of Munster U18 girls, and is now Munster Women's head coach. She has also been the Energia Women's AIL coach of the year twice.
In the podcast, I ask:
The reality of pro-rugby life, the good & the challenges, with Matt Garvey
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Dan welcomes Matt Garvey to the podcast. Matt had 13 years in English top flight rugby, playing for London Irish, Bath where he was also captain, Gloucester and Worcester.Â
He is now the Rugby Playersâ Association (RPA)Â Development Manager for Bath Rugby and Gloucester.
In the podcast, they discuss:
When an 18-year-old signs up for a club, what happens next?Even talented players don't make it. What should aspiring players do to make themselves better prepared when it comes to stepping up?There's a perception that ex-players become coaches. What...New laws, trial laws and old laws: Keeping up-to-date and pragmatic
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We are delighted to welcome back Keith Lewis to the podcast. Keith is a practising referee and runs the RugbyReferee.net website and Facebook community.
Dan asks Keith about:
If you are a referee, then you can join the rugbyreferee.net...
Coaching Blasts: What should we expect of a U14 rugby player, with Gary Townsend
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In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby about whether we have the wrong expectations of young rugby players.
He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager.
In this episode, they discuss what a capable 13-year-old rugby player should achieve on the pitch and what coaches need to do differently to ensure we focus on the right skills and game understanding.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby...
Grassroots coaching: Asking why, fixing, changing philosophy
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We are going to turn the tables and Stu James, is going to ask me the questions.
Stu is a club coaching ordinator and colts coach at Guildford RFC, as well as a coach within the Quins Foundation programme and for Surrey Colts. In addition to these volunteer roles, he has a day job as a business consultant and executive coach.
In the podcast, Stu challenges me on:
Coaching Blasts: What age to specialise as a 9 or 10, with Gary Townsend
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In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby with a focus on deciding when to help players specialise as a 9 or 10.
He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager.
In this episode, they discuss the best age, why it makes sense for this position and how it impacts their future development.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly
To find out more about this...
The Coaching Knife: Do you need a coaching philosophy, with Martin Haag
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Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Martin Haag, high performance team and executive coach.
Focusing on managing people rugby we are going to cut to the root on the importance of having a coaching philosophy.
Martin played for 14 years at Bath, then coached Bath, Nottingham, Bristol, Bath Academy England U20 World Cup Winning, Rouen, and Scotland, and now work in high-performance teams and executive coaching.
His philosophy is Encourage, Excite and Empower.
<...
The Coaching Knife: Why don't men rate women coaches, with Nic Evans
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Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Nic Evans, L4 coach and former director of rugby for the Kings Cross Steelers.
Focusing on women's rugby, we are going to examine why there arenât more women coaches coaching both men's and women's rugby.
Nic is a former head of PE, director of sport, and then lecturer and programme manager in higher education. She played rugby for Wales, is an L4 coach and coached the King Cross St...
Inside the Squidge Rugby brain: Coaching, analysis and rugby geekery with Will Owen
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Dan speaks to one-half of the Squidge Rugby Owen brothers, Will.
With a massive following for their YouTube channel, Squidge Rugby analyses matches in a unique, bringing insight and entertainment in equal measure.
Will is an avowed rugby geek but also still plays and coaches his local team's colts.
Dan asks him about:
The Coaching Knife: How to coach a dominated scrum, with Gavin Blackburn
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Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Gavin Blackburn, Head Coach Cambuslang RFC.
Focusing on the scrum rugby we are going to cut to the root on how to deal with a pack thatâs dominating you.
Gavin was a former age-grade district and international prop. He was a member of Saracensâ academy programme in the late 1990s, then played club rugby for London Scottish, Glasgow Hawks, Glasgow Southern, and Stirling County coached at Dunfermline, Kilmarnock, Bigg...
She Tackles: The Media versus Women's Sports. Lyndon Julius with Dr Jocelyn Solomons
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Dr Jocelyn Solomons tackles significant issues in women's sports.
In this episode, she talks to Lyndon Julius about the role of media in this domain.
Lyndon is a communications specialist and creative storyteller with over a decade of experience in sports reporting. He is dedicated to community sports and immerses himself in grassroots athletic endeavours.Â
With written and digital media expertise, they delve into his insights on the global impact of sports reporting, particularly concerning womenâs sports.Â
They discuss his experiences in writ...
The Coaching Knife: How do you compete in 7s with limited speed in your team, with Jamie Barnwell
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Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Jamie Barnwell, Head Coach Cayman 7s and Performance director.
Focusing on 7s rugby we are going to cut to the root on to coach to compete when you have limited speed.
Can you win a game of sevens if you donât have any pace in your team?
Jamie spent five years as head coach of the Bermuda national team for both 15 and 7s. Back in...
Differentiate effectively and the power of variation theory with Stuart Welsh
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Dan speaks to Stuart Welsh, founder of ALTA Education.Â
With nearly two decades of experience in education, specialising in maths teaching and as well as coaching rugby in schools, Stuart is a well-sought-after speaker and presenter.
He has taught and led teams in schools worldwide, authored popular math textbooks, and founded a widely-used educational website used by tens of thousands of students every year. He is passionate about research-based pedagogy and committed to improving teaching and learning globally through ALTA Education.
In the podcast, we discuss:
The Coaching Knife: Why player-centred is not waiting for the right answer, with Ben Lazenby
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We speak to Ben Lazenby, Head of Youth at Wakefield Trinity RLFC in this episode.
Focusing on game understanding we are going to cut to the root on how a player-centred approach might lead to a shared collective team cohesion.
The first question: Is a player-centred approach to game understanding just us waiting for the players to give us the right answer?
Previously, Ben was the Academy Pathway manager at Ealing Trailfinders, Academy General Manager at Hull Kingston Rovers, Yorkshire Carnegie academy manager. Plus had roles at...
How to pursue the right sort of winning, with Cath Bishop, author of The Long Win
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Dan speaks to Cath Bishop about what winning really means and how we can create the right sort of winning in our sporting environments.
Cath is a highly sought-after consultant and coach, an Olympian, former diplomat and author of The Long Win, the second edition published in May. She is also a regular contributor to the Guardian and a podcast host.
Visit her website here, where she offers lots of practical ways to improve your decision-making. You can also purchase the book.
To find out more about...
Coaching blasts: What young players want from your session, with Gary Townsend
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In this short podcast, Dan speaks to Gary Townsend, head of rugby at Switch Rugby with a focus on developing young players, coaches and clubs.Â
He is former RFU National Player Development Manager and Bristol Bears Junior Academy manager.
In this episode, they discuss what players want from your coaching sessions.
To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly
Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best r...
The Coaching Knife: Who is the most important player in ruck defence, with Jason Gilmore
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Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Jason Gilmore, Waratahs Senior Assistant Coach (Defence) and Australia A head coach.
Note! He was with the Waratahs when we recorded this. He is now defence coach with Harlequins.
Focusing on defence, we are going to cut to the root of who is the most important player in ruck defence.
Previously, Jason worked for Queensland Rugby as Elite Development Head Coach Assistant Coach and Junior Wallabies coach...
Progressive rugby: concussions in a community of care
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Dan speaks to Tom Morris from Progressive Rugby, an independent player welfare lobby group founded in 2021 to drive change that both better protects player brain health and the gameâs long-term future.
In this episode, they discuss:
Separate strategies to make rugby safer and more appealing at both the community and professional levelImproving education and the need for a concussion communication system in youth rugbyHelping young players understand the benefits of learning proper tackle techniqueImplementing a community of care in grassroots rugby and sharing best practiceWhether the age when contact is...How to find players and play more rugby
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Dan chats to Sean Phelan, the brains behind Fill Your Boots, the way that players and clubs can connect to fill the gaps on a Saturday.
In the podcast, they discuss:
If you want to find out more, go to the Fill Your Boots website, it's totally free!
To find out more about this podcast and...
