HOME Rugby Answers Rugby COACHING Q&A

I am currently coaching under8's rugby in England which?

I am currently coaching under8's rugby in England which is 7 a side tag. Next year we are going into 9 a side contact and we wanted to start coaching our players the techniques of tackling and carrying the ball into contact towards the end of this season to prepare them for next season. We didnt carry this out as we were unsure what the RFU directive was regarding preparing for the step up. Some people say they were training their players and some people were not. Does anyone know the official line from the RFU whether or not you can train in contact or not

Rugby CoachCoach

1 answer

ANSWERS

Duncan ParkerCoach, England

The official line is%3A you are still an U8 until the start of September (the new season) and therefore you as the coach are only covered for insurance purposes if you coach according to the continuum for your age group. If one of your young players is injured or hurt in any way because of what you are coaching them and you are not coaching in accordance with the continuum for your age group then you, the coach, are not insured. If a parent then wants to claim compensation etc (and it does/is happening more and more) then you will not be covered by the insurance company. It is in black and white. If you take part in mixed training with another club and they are working outside of the continuum then you as a coach will also be responsible and culpable. It isn't a nice topic but until things are changed, for your own safety, stick to the written word and don't get dragged into the trap of others.