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Introduction: It is well-recognised that fulfilling the role of a coach is multi-faceted. In rugby, some of these coaching facets have been studied, however the research has not been reviewed. Reviewing the literature on rugby coaches will inform and guide policies, coach education, research and practice. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide a scoping review of the current coach focused literature on rugby union, rugby league and rugby sevens. Methods: A scoping review was conducted on five electronic databases (EBSCOhost, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) until January 2022 using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Participants had to be coaches within rugby union, sevens and league to be included. Data were extracted and analyzed to form a numerical and thematic summary. Results: 105 articles were included. 76% of the studies were on rugby union, 14% on league, 1% on sevens and the remainder focused on a combination of rugby cohorts or did not specify. Three themes were identified via a thematic analysis based on the content of the articles, these were coach knowledge (68%), coach pedagogies (29%), and coach development (4%). Conclusion: The main finding in this review is that research on rugby coaches understood the risk, prevention, and management of injuries. Educational resources should include all aspects of rugby play or training injuries. The importance of the athlete-coach relationship and coach reflective practices was another significant finding. Coaches are encouraged to have a broad understanding of various aspects related to the player's welfare, which can be developed using formal and/or nonformal learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the relationship between player and coach rating of perceived challenge (RPC) for different training sessions over a competitive rugby union season. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between player RPC and player session rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Methods: We used an observational longitudinal study design to monitor 51 male highly-trained under 21 rugby union players and four coaches over an 11-week competitive rugby season (a total of 1798 training session observations). Player RPC (0 to 10 arbitrary units (AU)) and RPE ratings (0 to 10 AU) were collected after team sessions (a technical and tactical field-based session with all players training together), split sessions (a technical and tactical field-based session where players trained separately according to their positional grouping (forward and backs)) and gym sessions (non-field-based session with all players training together). Coach RPC ratings were only collected after team sessions and split sessions. Results: A weak positive relationship (rho = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09–0.42; p <.001) was found for split sessions (player RPC: 4.40; 95% CI: 3.87–4.87 AU; coach RPC: 4.25; 95% CI: 3.92–4.60 AU), while a moderate positive relationship (rho = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.31–0.43; p <.001) was found between player RPC (4.29; 95% CI: 4.00–4.55) and coach RPC (4.96; 95% CI: 4.89–5.05) for team sessions. Forwards had a higher RPC (5.33; 95% CI: 4.50–5.65) compared to backs (3.45; 95% CI: 2.88–4.00) for split (p <.001) and team sessions (forward's RPC: 4.66; 95% CI: 4.37–4.94; back's RPC: 3.84; 95% CI: 3.38–4.26; p <.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, using a rating to quantify the perceived challenge of training, we found coaches may be overestimating how challenging their training sessions are. Forwards-rated field sessions more challenging than backs, which likely represents their additional technical and tactical demands from training scrums, line-outs and mauls. While the RPC has strong theoretical justification as a rating tool to potentially fulfil the gap of quantifying the perceived challenge of training, thoughtful validity studies are yet to be conducted on the scale, which are the required next steps if the RPC is going form part of a coach's and practitioner's toolbox to optimise skill training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between physical qualities and contact technique proficiency in rugby union players. Thirty-eight (n = 38) male academy rugby union players participated in the study. Physical measures of anthropometry, functional mobility, strength endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, and anaerobic and aerobic endurance were assessed. Tackler, ball-carrier, and ruck technique were assessed using video analysis of a standardised two-on-two contact drill. Seven physical qualities were moderately associated with tackler technique ; Push-ups (r2 = 0.2; β = 0.04; p = 0.005; ES = 0.26), Sit-ups (r2 = 0.2; β = 0.08; p = 0.004; ES = 0.27), Relative 1RM Bench Press (r2 = 0.2; β = 2.32; p = 0.003; ES = 0.29), Broad Jump (r2 = 0.2; β = 0.03; p = 0.009; ES = 0.22), Agility (r2 = 0.2; β = −0.47; p = 0.019; ES = 0.19), 40m-Speed with Ball (r2 = 0.1; β = 0.93; p = 0.027; ES = 0.16) and Functional Mobility (r2 = 0.2; β = 0.16; p = 0.007; ES = 0.25). There was a large association between ball-carrier technique and Medicine Ball Throw (r2 = 0.3; β = 1.13; p = 0.001; ES = 0.37), and a moderate association between ruck technique and agility without (r2 = 0.2; β = −0.75; p = 0.005; ES = 0.21) and with (r2 = 0.2; β = −0.55; p = 0.015; ES = 0.29) the ball. The findings demonstrate the important contribution of physical strength and conditioning to contact technique in rugby union players. Contact technique training should be accompanied with physical strength and conditioning, as improvements in physical qualities may serve as foundational components to underpin improvements in technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rugby Union is team-based collision sport with increasing global popularity, particularly in the women's game. Despite this, there is currently no evidence demonstrating the frequency of match events outside of the international game. Therefore, the aim of this study is to outline the frequency and distribution of match events in non-international female rugby union to both outline the demands placed on players and to assess the patterns of play for future injury prevention strategies. Forty-eight games from three seasons of varsity rugby were coded and rates of events per match were calculated. Average ball in play percentage was 51%. The tackle was the most frequent contact match event [280.0 (95% CIs: 270.2-289.7)] while passes were the most frequent non-contact match events [323.2 (95% CIs: 311.8-334.5)]. The distribution of events across match quarter was largely consistent and neither the fixture type, nor the season was consistently associated with differences in match event count per game. This study provides the first analysis of match events outside of international game and provides a useful reference for coaches in preparation of players as well as comparable data for the women's game when informing decision making on injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to consolidate and synthesise rugby union (RU) and rugby league (RL) studies on tackle and RU studies on ruck technique for rugby stakeholders. Forty-nine studies were identified (20 in RL and 29 in RU). RL studies primarily focussed on identifying factors that impact tackling ability. Leaner, fitter players, with greater lower body strength, tended to have more proficient tackle technique. Experience and level of play were positively associated with tackling ability. These findings highlight the importance of developing tackle technique and physical qualities to allow players to progress to higher levels. Research in RU mostly focussed on identifying tackle and ruck techniques associated with performance measures and injury outcomes. Eleven tackle techniques and five ball-carrier techniques were associated with both performance measures and injury outcomes. These findings support national injury prevention programmes that advocate that safe contact technique is also effective technique. (152 words) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rugby union is a late specialisation sport. As a consequence, youth players may still be engaged in other activities and sports throughout the year as they transition to rugby specialisation. Limited research exists quantifying rugby union training and matches as well as engagement in other activities and sports. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify and compare rugby union training, matches and other activities of elite youth U15 and U16 rugby union players at different stages of the season. Four-hundred and ninety-two youth (Under-15 and 16-year-old) rugby union players self-reported the frequency, intensity and duration of their participation in rugby union matches, rugby union training, gym, physical education and other sports during three different stages – September to December (Sept–Dec), January to April (Jan–Apr), May to August (May–Aug) – of the year. When all activities were combined, the frequency and volume of rugby matches and training was the greatest during the Sept–Dec stage. The frequency and volume of participating in other sports increased in the May–Aug stage of the season. Gym training frequency, intensity, and duration were stable across the year for both U15 and U16 players. Coaches and practitioners working with elite youth rugby union players should be aware that players are still participating in other activities outside of rugby training and competition. Coaches and practitioners should put structures in place to plan and monitor players' activities in order to optimise the positive outcomes of specialisation (e.g., expertise) while reducing the potential negative outcomes (e.g., injury, burnout). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coach’s role is to enhance the performance of players through observing the performance, evaluating the performance, providing feedback on the performance and then implementing appropriate interventions to improve the performance. In coaching environments specifically, there can only be confidence in the data generated from computerised notational systems if the system provides reliable information and statistics. There are many systems on the market that are being utilised by amateur club rugby coaches and performance analysts; yet only a few have been tested for reliability. The aim of the study is to firstly, determine the inter- and intra-coder reliability of a South African developed computerised notational systems and secondly, to compare the coding proficiency of Western Province Rugby Union club coaches versus an experienced coder. Five club coaches with no prior experience of computerised notational systems or coding and one experienced coder participated in the study. The participants (n = 6) each coded five international rugby matches and re-coded two of these matches to determine the intra-coder reliability. The reliability between the different coding agreements was measured using Cohen’s kappa statistic (К). The study revealed a good inter-coder agreement for all the performance indicators (К = 0.79) with the strongest agreement being for the set pieces (К = 0.93). Very good intra-coder reliability was also revealed for all the coders; there was a mean of К = 0.82. Comparing the club coach’s coding to the experienced coder showed a good mean agreement of К = 0.77. The study concluded that the EncodeProRX is a reliable computerised notational systems that can be accurately and consistently used in club rugby set-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In youth rugby union matches, tackle-related injuries account for 60% of all injuries, 62% of concussion injuries and almost 50% of spinal cord injuries (youth and amateur). Because of this high risk of injury, the inclusion of the tackle in youth rugby has been a topic of discussion in the public and a high priority research area for World Rugby. What a coach knows and his/her attitude toward player safety directly impacts the risk and performance profile of a player. The purpose of this study is to describe the tackle knowledge, attitudes and training behaviours of youth rugby coaches. The entire population of Western Province Rugby Union Premier A1 division (highest level of school rugby) under-19 rugby coaches (n = 8) completed a knowledge and attitude questionnaire and 96 field-training sessions were observed over four weeks. Coaches rated tackling (mean 3.9, 95% confidence interval 3.3–4.4), rucking (mean 3.8, 95% confidence interval 3.0–4.5) and ball-carrying (mean 3.6, 95% confidence interval 2.6–4.6) as high-risk of injury facets of play (H = 30.8, p < 0.001). Coaching proper technique was rated as very important for safety (mean 4.6, 95% confidence interval 4.2–5.0) and performance (mean 4.8, 95% confidence interval 4.4–5.0, U = 28, p > 0.05). Of the 96 observed training sessions, tackle training was recorded 16% of the time (vs. 84% no tackle training, p < 0.001). Coaches were aware of the risk of injury in the tackle and rated the coaching of proper technique of utmost importance. These positive knowledge and attitudes did not transfer into their tackle training. The discrepancy between coaches' tackle knowledge and attitudes, and their training of the tackle might be related to how competent they believe themselves to be in delivering tackle training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of injuries in rugby union occur during tackle events. The mechanisms and causes of these injuries are well established in senior rugby union. Purpose: To use information from an injury database and assess video footage of tackle-related injuries in youth rugby union matches to identify environmental factors and mechanisms that are potentially confounding to these injuries. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Injury surveillance was conducted at the under-18 Craven Week rugby tournament. Tackle-related injury information was used to identify injury events in match video footage (role-matched noninjury tackle events were identified for the cohort of injured players). Events were coded using match situational variables (precontact, contact, and postcontact). Relative risk ratio (RRR; ratio of probability of an injury or noninjury outcome occurring when a characteristic was observed) was reported by use of logistic regression. Results: In comparison with the first quarter, injury risk was greater in the third (RRR = 9.75 [95% CI, 1.71-55.64]; P = .010) and fourth quarters (RRR = 6.97 [95% CI, 1.09-44.57]; P = .040) for ball carriers and in the fourth quarter (RRR = 9.63 [95% CI, 1.94-47.79]; P = .006) for tacklers. Ball carriers were less likely to be injured when they were aware of impending contact (RRR = 0.14 [95% CI, 0.03-0.66]; P = .012) or when they executed a moderate fend (hand-off) (RRR = 0.22 [95% CI, 0.06-0.84]; P = .026). Tacklers were less likely to be injured when performing shoulder tackles (same side as leading leg) in comparison to an arm-only tackle (RRR = 0.02 [95% CI, 0.001-0.79]; P = .037). Ball carriers (RRR = 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01-0.89]; P = .040) and tacklers (RRR = 0.02 [95% CI, 0.001-0.32]; P =.006) were less likely to be injured when initial contact was made with the tackler's shoulder/arm instead of his head/neck. Conclusion: The relative risk of tackle-related injury was higher toward the end of matches. Incorrect technique may contribute to increased injury risk. Implementing recovery strategies between matches, training safe and effective techniques, and improving levels of conditioning may counter the negative effects of fatigue. These findings may assist stakeholders in youth rugby to formulate injury prevention strategies and may improve the preparation of field-side medical staff for managing tackle-related injuries at these or similar tournaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is known that both technical and tactical proficiency are required for success in rugby, not much is known about the interaction of these two characteristics and their association with success. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between defence and tackle technique, and its association with tackle success, in the context of the playing situation. Tackle contact events (n=763) from the 2010 Super 14 rugby tournament were coded based on playing situation, defensive characteristics, tackle technique and tackle outcome. Then the relative risk ratio (RRR) was determined for each variable in relation to the tackle outcome. Technical characteristics associated with tackle success included head position of tackler (RRR 0.46, p=0.01), type of tackle (RRR 0.58, p<0.001) and tackler leg drive (RRR 0.43, p<0.05). In the relationship between technique and tactical components of the tackle (i.e., defence), tackle techniques proved to be more associated with tackle performance than defence. However, this is not to say that defensive strategies are not important when defending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, and researchers typically use a standard testing battery as a screening tool to measure physical characteristics of players. The information from this testing battery is subsequently utilized to check whether a player can meet the demands of the sport, talent identification, long-term player development, squad/team selection and/or for designing training programs. Apart from these physical attributes, Rugby players (both Union and League) also need to efficiently execute a range of technical and tactical skills during a match. Attempts to assess skill in Rugby have been reported, but little has been documented on assessing skill as part of a Rugby team testing battery. This review highlights the use of, and requirements of, a skill assessment that can be used in a Rugby team setting. When devising a skill assessment, a number of factors such as standardisation, validity, reliability, logistics, player safety, ecological validity, and representative design need to be considered. All these factors should be considered on a continuum, and not in absolute terms. The 1 vs 1 attacker and defender interactions allow for an acceptable degree of ecological validity and representative design, and logistically seems most appealing for team testing. Also, using a valid and reliable set of technical criteria and outcome measures has shown to be most appropriate to standardise a skill assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Success in rugby union competition is dependent partly on the defensive strategies of a team. Despite this, little empirical evidence exists about effective defensive strategies used during play. This study attempted to identify defensive characteristics associated with increased likelihood of a successful outcome in rugby union, while considering the game situation. Twenty-one matches of the 2010 Super 14 competition were analysed, amounting to 2,394 coded tackle contacts. The likelihood of the defending team winning the breakdown (the post-tackle contact situation where opposing teams compete for possession of the ball) increased as the match progressed. Defensive speed, measured as the speed of the defence in response to the attacking line, was a statistically significant predictor of breakdown wins and preventing the attacking team from advancing towards the gain line. Identifying the relative effectiveness of such strategies allows understanding of rugby match behaviour and may be applied to improve organization, design, training, teaching and learning the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Success in rugby union competition is dependent partly on the defensive strategies of a team. Despite this, little empirical evidence exists about effective defensive strategies used during play. This study attempted to identify defensive characteristics associated with increased likelihood of a successful outcome in rugby union, while considering the game situation. Twenty-one matches of the 2010 Super 14 competition were analysed, amounting to 2,394 coded tackle contacts. The likelihood of the defending team winning the breakdown (the post-tackle contact situation where opposing teams compete for possession of the ball) increased as the match progressed. Defensive speed, measured as the speed of the defence in response to the attacking line, was a statistically significant predictor of breakdown wins and preventing the attacking team from advancing towards the gain line. Identifying the relative effectiveness of such strategies allows understanding of rugby match behaviour and may be applied to improve organization, design, training, teaching and learning the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high impact and physical nature of the tackle during a rugby match places the tackler(s) and ball-carrier at risk of injury. Injuries as a result of the tackle account for up to 61% of all injuries that occur during a rugby match. The purpose of this paper is to: i) review the literature on tackle injury mechanisms and events associated with increased risk of injury during the tackle; and ii) identify strategies that can be coached during training and executed by players during a match to reduce the risk of injury. Coaches equipped with a better understanding of injury mechanisms and a thorough knowledge of a safe and effective technique in the tackle have a major role in preventing or reducing tackle injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]