We have a new team forming, all of the fowards are novices except for two of us (Prop and Hooker) from a different team helping out. Any drilling advice woud be very appreciated

Rugby CoachCoach

You have a lot to do! The first key things are to 1) Set your scrum, concentrating on safety. Make sure your players can hold their body angles and grips so that nobody is in danger of being injured. To develop a flat back start with 1 v 1, 3 v 3. Then to develop straight spines throughout the scrums, (perfectly against a scrum machine) work on only No. 1 and No. 4 pushing, then 3 and 5. Then do 1,4,6 and then 3, 5, and 7. Then do 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (and 8) pushing. When you are happy that all are pushing in straight lines, insert the hooker. 2) Next develop your line out. You will need to work on lifting skills, and I would suggest start without the ball, units of 3, 2 lifters and one catcher. Have your best thrower(s) practise by throwing at the goal post from the goal line. The target is the point where goal post and crossbar meet. Have them stand 6 metres away (throw to No. 2 in the line), and as they get better, lengthen it to 8 metres(No. 4) and then 10-12 (back of the line). That will enable your players to use the 'set plays' in a game. From there, you can work on general skills - and you can find drills all over the various sites available. Good luck.

Josh MacyCoach, United States of America

Hey Tony! It's Josh from the national team of Guatemala. I love what you guys are doing in CR. Pura Vida! Congrats on getting a new team together down there. Give my regards to Carlos and those boys. I understand what you're going through, most people in our region have yet to see a ball let alone a match. Start with the absolute basics. Handling quick passes and support and ruck play. I'm assuming that they've never played a contact sport so, as silly as it sounds, get them comfortable touching each other. Things like sumo wrestling in practice can help get them more comfortable while teaching them about leverage and how to move someone. Stick to the basics. Don't overlook any aspect of the game no matter how small. It also helps to prioritize their responsibilities to teach them about their big picture role. Like%3A 1)Ruck 2)Set up for forward crash 3) Support the line.