What is Gainline?
Gainline is the new online E-learning platform for coaches. When paying for a coaching course you will be asked to create a Gainline account (or login if you already have one). The system allows you to access content from the course(s) you have attended and upload the aspects of your accreditation, such as, the World Rugby Concussion and Laws Certificates.
Once you complete all accreditation requirements for your course, you can download a certificate of completion from your account.
You can access the Gainline Login page from the link below:
Upcoming courses will be announced shortly
- Children’s Coaching Award (those coaching mini rugby, 5 to 12 years old).
- Youth Coaching Award (those coaching youth rugby, 12 to 18 years old).
Childrens/Youth Coaching Award Fee = €90
Please speak to your club/school regarding potential for reimbursement.
Coaches are required to complete payment using the relevant link as well as course registration on Gainline (if you already have a Gainline account you can simply login when prompted). This will allow you to complete the course assignment and access the learning materials available for each module.
Any questions, please contact – [email protected]
Children’s Coaching Award
Cost: 90 Euros
Accreditation Requirements:
- Course Attendance
- 3 Online Modules (Accessed through Gainline)
- World Rugby Concussion Certificate (Upload to Gainline Required) – https://passport.world.rugby/player-welfare-medical/concussion-management-for-the-general-public/
Link to access Gainline: https://education.irfu.ie/d2l/login
Youth Coaching Award
Cost: 90 Euros
Accreditation Requirements:
- Course Attendance
- 3 Online Modules (Accessed through Gainline)
- World Rugby Concussion Certificate* – https://passport.world.rugby/player-welfare-medical/concussion-management-for-the-general-public/
- World Rugby Laws Certificate* – https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/
*Upload to Gainline Required
Link to access Gainline: https://education.irfu.ie/d2l/login
Senior Coaching Award
Cost: 250 Euros
Accreditation Requirements:
- Course Attendance
- World Rugby Concussion Certificate* – https://passport.world.rugby/player-welfare-medical/concussion-management-for-the-general-public/
- World Rugby Laws Certificate* – https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/
- Additional Assignment* (Accessed through Gainline)
- Personal Mentoring Report Form*
*Upload to Gainline Required
Link to access Gainline: https://education.irfu.ie/d2l/login
Explainer video on how to get the best use out of your Gainline account:
- How to login and navigate the system.
- How to access content from the course(s) you have attended.
- How to upload the your accreditation requirements.
- How to download a certificate of completion for your course.
You can access the Gainline Login page from the link below:
http://education.irfu.ie/d2l/login
Having issues accessing Gainline? Please contact: [email protected]
Former Otago, Highlanders and current Sunwolves coach, Cory Brown shares the learnings on a coaching journey that has taken him around the world and from coaching pre-schoolers to Super Rugby.
In an insightful discussion he talks about staying true to your philosophy and the role of leadership groups in your team.
Set Up:
A skill zone game where coaches can introduce a number of skills while also carrying out dynamic movements and stretches to get ready for game play.
Key Factors:
• Coaches will keep players on their toes by using a variety of skills.
• Aim for lots of touches in activities like this.
• Encourage players to pass off both sides as well as kicking with either foot.
• Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement
Set Up:
A small sided game where teams play high tempo games. This game can be played as Touch/Tag or Tackle. Three teams play in a rotation. One team attacking, one defending and one ready to play.
Key Factors:
• Coaches should encourage the pace of the game to be fast and avoid stop/start.
• This games will include kicking, catching and is a good introduction to counter attack from kicks.
Enjoy this wide ranging discussion with Connacht defence coach Pete Wilkins.
Pete takes us through the Behaviours required for a high performing environment and how to replicate the pressure situations which develop your athletes into informed decisive players.
Take the learnings from Pete’s journey to be a professional coach, how he navigated his own path and what he wished he knew along the way.
Set Up:
A relay race where small numbers of players race against each other with a mixture of sidestepping and dodging around a combination of different routes before getting the ball back to their team.
Key Factors:
• Encourage players to run with the ball in two hands.
• When stepping, plant outside foot on one side and landing on ball of foot.
• Push off onto other foot and accelerate forward with short, sharp steps.
• Coaches can constantly change up he number and combination of coloured cones so the players route is different every time.
Set Up:
A small sided game where teams play high tempo games. This game can be played as Touch/Tag or Tackle. This is a drop back game in favour of the attack to create numerous scoring chances in a short space of time.
Key Factors:
• Coaches have spare rugby balls ready to introduce at all times.
• This game should be high tempo with dropping back players creating different pictures for the attack and different advantages.
• The coach can change up what happens after a touch, should the player pass straight away, drop and offload or offload as they fall.
• Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement
Connacht’s Ross Mannion and Conor Galvin take us through how coaches can keep training safe and enjoyable through the restrictions of Covid.
It is a best practice guide on the procedures for clubs to adopt as well as must have tips on how you can use the POD system to your advantage
Set Up:
A small sided game where teams play high tempo games. This game can be played as Touch/Tag or Tackle. This is an overload game in favour of the attack to create numerous scoring chances in a short space of time.
Key Factors:
• Coaches have spare rugby balls ready to introduce at all times.
• Coaches decide and can regularly rotate the attacking combinations, challenging players to react and adapt.
• Overload touch should see players in space communicate where space is to players on the ball. For coaches, highlight the benefits of moving the ball to space.
• Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement
Set Up:
A small sided game where teams play high tempo games. The points awarded for each try are linked to the amount of touches or tackles made before a score. More touches means less points.
Key Factors:
• Coaches should have a spare ball or two ready to introduce quickly at all times if game becomes static
- Teams have a total of 6 tags or tackles to score in. If they do not they lose possession.
- Encourage players to avoid tackles with a mixture of handling and evasion and keeping the ball alive
- Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement
Set Up:
A small sided game where teams play high tempo games attacking from different places on the pitch. Can be touch/tag or tackle.
Key Factors:
• Coaches have spare rugby balls spread around the outside of the pitch.
• After a score or at any other time decided by the coach players can attack quickly using one of the balls on the side line.
• Encourage players to react and adapt to the change in position. Attackers will take a quick tap to restart the game.
• Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement
Set Up:
A relay race where small numbers of players race against each other with a mixture of sidestepping and passing.
Key Factors:
• Encourage players to run with the ball in two hands.
• When stepping, plant outside foot on one side and landing on ball of foot.
• Push off onto other foot and accelerate forward with short, sharp steps.
• Coaches can introduce poles, flags etc into the course so players are sidestepping different objects and at different angles.
Set Up:
A fun game where players copy a number of animal movements that can help with functional movement skills of the young player.
Key Factors:
• Coaches can be introduce movement skills to players early on and explain how they can help the young players ability to move and play the game.
• Highlight players with good technique as a visual example to all players.
• Functional movement skills are something that players can bring with them through their lives in sport.
• For older players, try to identify where in the game these skills will translate.
Set Up:
A fun game where two teams compete against each other helping with team work and communication.
Key Factors:
• One player from each team plays at a time.
• Aiming to get four cones in a row of the same colour.
• Coloured cones can only place their cone on a white cone.
• Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement.
Set Up:
A handling activity around realignment and catch/pass.
Key Factors:
• Encourage players to realign like the steps on a stairs.
• Player receiving the ball should be in a “deep” position, able to see the back or the number on the jersey of the player passing them the ball.
• Player catching the ball, reaches out and catches the ball early.
• Coaches can adapt the width of the grid and the numbers to present different challenges for the players.
Set Up:
A handling activity introducing a 2 vs 1.
Key Factors:
• Attacking players carry the ball in two hands.
• Support player holds their depth staying behind the ball player with hands up.
• Player on the ball looks to draw the defender. If the defender is committed the player looks to pass.
• If the defender drifts onto the other attacker the player on the ball can go themselves.
Click on this link for guidelines from the IRFU in relation to the nationwide Level 5 restrictions announced by the Government on 19th October 2020.
Mini Rugby Regulations for 2020/21
JP Walsh takes us inside the Connacht u18 camp from planning, through their summer training programme and culminating in the 10 day tournament against the other provinces.
Connacht have been admired for the speed of their unstructured play and transition from defence to attack, and this webinar shows how that was fostered on the training field.
Non Contact Session For Mini Rugby Players From 7+.
Rugby For Children Session (October 2020) looking at non contact rugby.
Rugby For Children Session (October 2020) looking at non contact rugby.
Former Irish U20 Coach Ambrose Conboy builds the scrum with an emphasis on developing the body position of the individual. This extremely informative piece includes a discussion on identifying good examples and areas for improvement as well as activities to strengthen the position of the individual.
Overview:
An activity where players work on tackle technique before progressing to games.
Key Factors:
• Coaches set up multiple lines and position themselves in between to best see multiple players and tackles.
• One ball player from each line walks or jogs up their channel on the coaches call
• 2 or 3 tacklers will be positioned on their knees or standing 6 metres apart.
• Once the player is tackled and falls and places the ball, the tackler will release them and they progress to the next tackle
• All key factors for tackle remain the same. Shoulder on shorts, cheek to cheek, squeeze at knees, tackler land on top holding tight.
• Remember to rotate tacklers regularly as well as practising tackles on both sides.
Overview:
A fun games where players race against other players, side stepping and dodging in a grid. First player across wins a point each time.
Key Factors:
• Players jog slowly around the square with a ball each.
• On the coaches whistle the players aim to get to the opposite side of the square
• Players need to look in front and dodge and sidestep the other players as they meet them.
• Encourage players to run on the balls of their feet, using short sharp steps to dodge.
• First player across each time wins a point
Overview:
An activity where players work on an introduction to rucking, concentrating on good technique.
Key Factors:
• Players start in groups of 3 passing the ball in random directions.
• On the coaches call, the player with the ball runs forward towards the coach/player with the tackle shield
• Encourage the player with ball not to run straight at the bag and instead use dodging and sidesteps.
• The player with the ball drives forward before hitting the ground and placing the ball back
• Arriving supporting players drive the shield back, creating a fast ruck.
• Rotate roles and start again.
In this video Conor Galvin runs through the RFC programme. Use the drop-down menu above to view individual videos for the SkillZone, PlayZone and GameZone.
Set Up:
A small sided game where an even number of players play touch rugby. In this game players can pass in any direction
Key Factors:
• Players should be running beyond the ball into space and moving into space once they pass.
• All types of passes should be used including kick passes to take advantage of offside support.
• Encourage creativity by looking ahead of the ball to see space behind.
• Game should encourage special awareness with a big advantages for those in space communicating.
• Important to encourage quick transition from any turnover, heads up, attacking space.
Set Up:
A small sided game where an even number of players play touch rugby. Once players are touched on the hips they can run forward for a maximum of 4 steps before passing.
Key Factors:
• Once touched, players should not stop straight away, instead should keep running forward and look to offload.
• High tempo game where the coach can have a spare ball with him at all times. If the play stops or slows down, introduce a new ball to keep pace high.
• Encourage creativity and mindset around avoiding contact and keeping ball alive.
Look for sidestepping, passing, offloading and communication
Set Up:
A small sided game where an even number of players play touch rugby. Game can be played on half a pitch with multiple balls ready to be introduced to keep speed of game high. Each player has a number (1 or 2). When defending, if the coach calls 1, all the defending 1s must run back and touch their line before retuning.
Key Factors:
• Players can offload at any point during fall or as they hit the ground, players can also present the ball.
• As defenders drop back and then return to the play the attacking team will meet covering defenders.
• Encourage creativity and mindset around avoiding contact and keeping ball alive.
• Drop back element allows for conditioning element to the game as well as skill development.
Set Up:
A small sided game where an even number of players play touch rugby. In this game players can pass in any direction. They can also score on any side but cannot score on the same side two times in a row. When players are touched, they must pass the ball.
Key Factors:
• Players should be running beyond the ball into space and moving into space once they pass.
• All types of passes should be used including kick passes to take advantage of offside support.
• Encourage creativity by looking ahead of the ball to see space behind.
• Game should encourage spacial awareness with massive advantages for those in space communicating.
• Important to encourage quick transition from any turnover, heads up, attacking space.
Set Up:
A fun game where players work on a variety of skills in a high tempo active game. Players should have lots of passes and decisions in a short period of time.
Key Factors:
• Hands up and catch early. Reach towards the ball.
• Get players back into a game once the skill is mastered.
• 2/3 extra attackers on the outside that are constantly attacking
• Every time a team gets the ball to the outside channel (Blue Player), this counts as a point. First to 10 wins.
• Remember to swap outside teams regularly to keep players on their toes.
Set Up:
A fun game where players react to the coaches call and must sprint away from their chaser. Sometime the chaser might end up getting
Chased
Key Factors:
• Players line up in two lines 3 meters apart.
• One line are the dogs, one line are the cats. When the coach calls dog they must sprint to their side before being tagged by the cat and vice versa.
• A fun game where players will test their reactions and speed.
Set Up:
A game where players can work on catching, kicking, teamwork and special awareness.
Key Factors:
• The coach divides the group into two teams. Where each team is aiming to get to 10 points first.
• The team with the ball, kick the ball over the middle line above head height and land it inside the square for a point. If it iskicked out the opposition score but if its caught nobody scores.
• If the ball is caught, the catcher must pass the ball backwards to a teammate who must take their kick all in a 6 second time limit or they risk loosing a point.
• This means the game will run quickly and will encourage players to act under pressure
• To challenge the players, introduce a second pass or reduce the time they have to kick
Set Up:
A fun game where players can work on movement skills including running, acceleration, sidestep and change of direction.
Key Factors:
• Two chasers start with a ball in a large grid, chasing the runners. When tagged the runner sticks their arm out waving them and asking for help.
• The remaining runners will “free” those that are caught by pushing their two arms down or crawling through their legs.
• When everyone is caught, swap the chasers and start again.
• Encourage players to show off their side stepping and evasion skills.
Overview:
A fun game where players try to get ten passes in a row while the opposition try to intercept before they get to ten.
Key Factors for:
• Keep numbers small to start for plenty of activity and involvement.
• Players can pass the ball in any direction to their teammates.
• If the ball hits the ground or defenders intercept the ball they get a point. Ten passes for the attack is a point. First to 4 points wins
• Encourage players to move off the ball after the ball and into space.
• Highlight players who communicate where the space is as well as those who move into space.
Set Up:
A game where players can work on movement skills including running, acceleration, sidestep, change of direction, lunging, squatting etc.
Key Factors:
• The coach divides the group in to two small teams. On the pitch is a large amount of cones, half turned up as saucers and half turned down as cups.
• Each team is challenged with getting as many cups or saucers in the allotted time by flipping over the oppositions cones as quickly as they can.
• Whichever team has the most cones turned in their favour after 60 seconds is the winner.
Overview:
A fun game where small groups of players can work on their tackle technique in a controlled manner. Players working on their knees to build confidence.
Key Factors:
• Small groups of players (4) work in a small square on their knees crawling into space.
• 3 players with a ball try to avoid the tackler for 60 seconds.
• Tackler looks to make as many safe and effective tackles as possible in the time allowed.
• Look for head in safe position “cheek to cheek” with arms wrapped.
• Tackler should look to fall on top of player with the ball and use them as a cushion.
• Remember to encourage tackled players to fall properly while presenting the ball.
Set Up:
A fun game where players can work on movement skills including running, acceleration, sidestep and change of direction.
Key Factors:
• Two Rovers start with a ball facing the runners. On their call the runners get to the other side of grid.
• The Rovers chase the Runners and try to tag them. The Rovers cannot throw the ball.
• When Tagged the Runner becomes a Rover and gets one of the spare rugby balls to join in the chasing.
• When the last runner is caught, they are the winner and can be a Rover or can choose the new Rover.
Set Up:
A game where players can work on movement skills and teamwork. Movement skills include evasion and acceleration.
Key Factors:
• The coach divides the group into two teams. Each player is wearing a belt with 3 or 4 tags.
• Players aim to rip one tag at a time and return it to their base, while also avoiding having their own tag taken.
• When a player looses all their tags they leave the game. The team with the most robbed tags in their base at the end of the game is the winner.
• Players can only steal one at a time and for a tag to count it must be dropped in the base.
Overview:
Mini rugby is a great time learn the basics of rugby passing, whether it’s a push pass or spin pass, encourage players to have fun practicing this skill off either hand in reduced activities and games.
Key Factors for coaches:
• Fingers spread across the surface of the ball.
• Encourage the passer to turn their head and “look to the target” before pushing their hands to the target..
• Players receiving the pass should have their hands out towards the ball with fingers spread.
• Try to catch the ball early and not into the chest.
• Remember coaches to vary the distances and sides in reduced activities.
Overview:
At mini rugby players must tackle below the waist and cannot rip or tackle the ball in the tackle. Players should work on a safe and effective technique in training that can be repeated in game situations.
Key Factors for coaches:
• Watch opposition player and target the area you want to tackle “Eyes on the thighs”
• Encourage players to make contact with their shoulder on the opposition players thigh. Avoid hip or knee.
• Head to the side, “cheek to cheek” and never in front or across the opposite player.
• Wrap your arms tightly around the players leg “squeeze the knees” or “ring of steel”
• Encourage players to fall on top of the tackled player, holding tight before releasing and rolling away.
Overview:
Encouraging our players to use evasion when the attack will lead to a fast paced, highly skilled, enjoyable game where the ball will constantly be in play with lots of scores and involvement for the players.
Key factors for coaches:
• Ball in two hands and running on balls of the feet.
• Step hard off the outside foot to change direction.
• Accelerate past the defender.
• For coaches, look to play fun games that involve chasing and catching with fast changes of direction.
• Encourage players to run at “spaces not faces”.
Set Up:
An activity where players can work on their passing technique. A good activity where the skill is isolated and coaches can see good technique. Keep numbers small with multiple grids if needed to avoid queues and waiting.
Key Factors:
• Hands up and catch early. Reach towards the ball.
• Move ball across the chest and follow through towards target.
• Vary widths to challenge skills.
• Get players back into a game once the skill is mastered.
Set Up:
A skill activity where players race against each other in a passing race. Coaches decide how many turns counts as one complete race.
Key Factors:
• Keep groups small to avoid queues and waiting.
• Change the activity so players pass the ball from either side.
• Even though it is a race, still encourage good technique with catching the ball early with hands up.
• To increase difficulty, widen the distance of each pass.
Set Up:
A reduced activity where players work on a 1 on 1 tackle. Coaches can start off players walking, then jogging to increase confidence and good technique.
Key Factors:
• Tackler closes space on ball player., slow down before approaching ball player.
• Show ball player to one side.
• Step close and look to use shoulder to tackle while wrapping arms.
• If player is on your right. Step close with right foot, tackle with right shoulder.
• Push through, fall on top squeezing at the knees.
Overview:
A reduced activity where players work on a front on tackle and ball presentation in a 1 vs 1 activity.
Key Factors:
• Small groups of players line up either side of a small square.
• The coach passes a ball to one side, this player is the attacker, the player opposite is the tackler.
• The player runs to the coloured gate across the square while the tackler closes the space to make tackle
• Tacklers must get their lead foot close, squat low with shoulder making contact on the thigh, wrap arms and squeeze at the knees, push through to land on top.
• Make sure tackled player falls, knee……hip……..shoulder, before pushing the ball back with two hands.
Overview:
A fun relay race where players work on on falling, support and offload skills.
Key Factors:
• Look for players falling correctly knee, hip, shoulder.
• Support running from deep, calling for the ball with hands up ready to catch
• Look for pop off the ground to be chest high towards the supports hands.
• What game can you play now to try out these skills?
Set Up:
An activity where players can work on the side on tackle. With all tackle activities, establish safe and solid technique. Players can walk and jog before increasing pace.
Key Factors:
• Tackler tracks across, keeping their eye on the players shorts. Step close, making sure that the shoulder makes contact with the side of the players thigh.
• It is important that the tacklers head is always behind and aiming for cheek to cheek.
• When the tackler makes the tackle, they wrap their arms around the players legs, squeezing tight and falling on top.
Set Up:
A relay race where small numbers of players race against each other with a mixture of sidestepping and passing.
Key Factors:
• Encourage players to run with the ball in two hands.
• When stepping, plant outside foot on one side and landing on ball of foot.
• Push off onto other foot and accelerate forward with short, sharp steps.
• Coaches can introduce poles, flags etc into the course so players are sidestepping different objects and at different angles.
Overview:
A reduced activity where players can work on their tackle technique and offload skills.
Key Factors:
• 5 Tacklers set out in a semi-circle. Each tackler on their knees.
• Groups of 3 players start to run around the semi-circle, being tackled and offloading to support players.
• Players on knee can have outside arm up, encouraging the player on the ball to run on outside of tackler.
• Encourage players on the ball to use a small sidestep and run to the side of the tackler who is on his knees.
• Starting with players on knees encourages a good low tackle with safe technique.
Overview:
An activity where players can practice two types of passes in one with space between players changing each time. A good chance to work on a push and spin pass.
Key Factors for coaches:
• While working in small groups to make sure players remain active all the time, line players up in 3s or 4s.
• Players will run forward passing and catching with two hands. Players start with a wide pass and return with a narrow pass.
• Players should catch with their hands out towards the ball and fingers spread, catching the ball early.
• Turn their head towards their team mate and see the target they want to hit.
Push the ball across the body and finish with hands towards target, reaching out and following through
Click on the arrow for the COVI Fixture Impact Form (IRFU)
Click on the arrow for the COVID Fixture Impact Form (Connacht)
Click on the arrow to download the latest COVID Suspected/Confirmed Case Guidelines
Click on the arrow to download the latest COVID Match Officials Guidelines
Click on the arrow to download the latest COVID Match Management Guidelines
Click on the left for the Connacht Rugby Youth Transfer Policy
Click on the left for the Connacht Rugby Adult Transfer Form
Click on the left for the women’s adult season plan for 2019-20.
Click on the left for a general season plan for Age Grade rugby in the 2022/23 season.
Click on the left for a general season plan for age grade rugby for the 2019-20 season.
Click on the left for the general 2019-20 season plan for men’s adult rugby.
Click on the left for a summary of the Connacht Rugby Regulations
Click on the left for the Connacht Rugby Youth Transfer Form
Click on the left for the Connacht Rugby Youth Transfer Policy.
Click on the link on the left for the 2018/19 Men’s All-Ireland League regulations.
Click on the left for the 2018/19 Women’s All-Ireland League Regulations
Click on the left for the 2019/20 Connacht Youth Rugby Rules and Regulations
Click on the link on the left for the 2019/20 Connacht Schools Rugby Regulations.
Click on the link on the left for a number of documents that will assist you in implementing best practices in a number of areas in your club that relate to Age-Grade Player Welfare.
Should an Age-Grade Player be at risk of harm, it is the duty of those in a position of responsibility to take the necessary steps to minimise and/or help to remove the risk and to ensure that all procedures are undergone in accordance with statutory guidelines.
Parents are hugely influential when it comes to young people’s participation in sport. In most cases they are the reason their child starts playing and young people often state how their parents watching them play is a source of enjoyment to them.
The way we work with Age-Grade Players, how we behave around them and our attitudes towards them will contribute to the way young people feel about themselves. It is important that they, and their guardians, feel that their rugby experience is a fun and safe one.
An important step in ensuring this player-centred environment is the selection of appropriate Sports Leaders to work with young people.
Click on the left for a full list of IRFU’s policy on safeguarding.
Click on the left for the IRFU’s Safeguarding Training Plan
Click on the left for some helpful information from the IRFU on the rights and responsibilities of young people in rugby.
Click on the link here for the Connacht Rugby Constitution and Bye Laws.
Click on the link on the left for the Connacht Rugby Regulations
Click on the link on the left to download the Connacht Rugby Vision & Strategy 2016-2020.
Click on the link on the left for the Connacht Womens Rugby Regulations.
Use this link for information on how to use the E-Teamsheet software program.
Click here for the Bye Laws of the IRFU.
Click on the link on the left for a quick guide on how to use the IRFU Clubhouse System.
Click on the link on the left hand side for the user manual for the IRFU Clubhouse Sysytem
Click on the link on the left hand side for some Frequently Asked Questions on the IRFU Clubhouse System.
Click here for the Regulations of the IRFU.
Referee Resource Description
Coaching Corner Resource Description
