RUGBY TALKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27078, 12 May 1949, Page 8

RUGBY TALKS

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES VIEWS OF COACHES The elementary principles of Rugby football were explained by Mr V. G. Cavanagh, jun, who dealt with forward play, Mr C. K. Saxton, who covered back play, and Mr W. G. McClymont, who spoke on the coaching of younger players, at a special meeting held last night in the Rose Pavilion iat Carisbrook for coaches ana players. There was an attendance of about 60. All three speakers said that physical and mental fitness was the. main essential for a player who wished to be a good footballer capable of following correct coaching. Various points affecting each section of play were outlined and drawn on a blackboard by each of the three speakers. Mr Saxton said that coaches should see that training was carried out at full speed all the time, for if a. player trained casually he would play casually in nine cases out of 10. Mr Cavanagh outlined the various phases of forward play, and mentioned that although heeling from scrums was a most necessary thing, it was inclined to be overdone. The forwards were liable to become “ heeling machines ” and thus lose many chances of scoring by taking the ball with them in a dribbling rush. It was necessary to have a good pack leader to see that foot rushes were not opened up at the wrong time. After Mr Saxton had demonstrated the correct way to give a pass and the way to handle a ball, Mr McClymont told the audience that the way to train players at schools, or of school age, was to give them some short explanation which would stay in their minds. Long detailed explanations were, of little use to them, for they were forgotten almost as soon as they had been said.