Rugby Coach Weekly

Dan Cottrell
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Dan Cottrell and guests discuss all the hot topics in grass roots rugby coaching from managing concussion to dealing with parents.

  1. What Instagram clips don’t show about coaching, with Sam Mace of SMPerformance

    10H AGO

    What Instagram clips don’t show about coaching, with Sam Mace of SMPerformance

    Send a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks to coach and former professional player Sam Mace about the journey from playing to coaching and the lessons that shaped his philosophy. Sam played professionally in Major League Rugby with the Toronto Arrows, before concussion injuries forced him to retire early. That experience changed the direction of his career and sparked a passion for coaching that is now reaching thousands of players and coaches online through his SMPerformance platform. In this conversation, Sam explains what truly energises him about coaching. For him, the biggest influence was the feeling of being supported by great coaches and the opposite experience of feeling small or unwanted. That contrast shaped his commitment to creating environments where players feel belief, ownership and agency over their own development. Dan and Sam explore how honest conversations build trust, why players improve more when they understand why they are not selected, and how coaches can balance challenge with care. They also dive into coaching contact skills, discussing the technical side of tackling, the importance of control rather than aggression, and why the best defenders focus on precision and positioning rather than simply hitting harder. Along the way, Sam reflects on social media coaching, the limits of short-form content, and why great coaching is always about the human connection behind the technique. Key themes Building belief and agency in playersHonest feedback and player ownershipCoaching confidence after mistakesTeaching tackling through precision and techniqueThe difference between social media coaching and real coachingIf you want to connect with Sam, you can find his coaching content at SMPerformance on Instagram. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    53 min
  2. Sustainable performance in high-pressure environments

    MAR 11

    Sustainable performance in high-pressure environments

    Send a text What does sustainable performance actually look like in elite sport and leadership? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan speaks with Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin, a high-performance coach and leadership specialist who has worked across rugby, wrestling, artistic swimming, ballet and Olympic systems worldwide. Lúcás helps leaders build performance “one brick at a time” through social learning, psychological safety and deliberate coaching design.  From coaching in Russia and Kazakhstan to supporting Olympic programmes and even ballet companies, he shares powerful lessons about: • Why psychological safety is misunderstood • The balance between accountability and freedom • How culture shapes coaching effectiveness • Why framing matters more than motivation • How small check-in rituals can transform team dynamics This conversation goes beyond theory. It explores what it really means to be the adult in the room — to create clarity, set standards and invite contribution without losing performance edge. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    58 min
  3. Be the adult in the room, with Tara Lynn

    MAR 4

    Be the adult in the room, with Tara Lynn

    Send a text What does it really mean to be the adult in the room? In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Tara Lynn, transformational coach and trusted adviser to high performers who have reached the edge of what got them here. We explore how leaders and coaches can regulate themselves under pressure, avoid slipping into “parent” or “child” reactions, and communicate with clarity instead of ego. Tara shares her A.D.U.L.T framework, breaks down the difference between training and coaching, and explains why language, timing and self-awareness determine whether challenge feels like growth or threat. We also unpack: How to stay calm when others are notWhy attachment to outcomes undermines leadershipThe fine line between coaching and rescuingHow men can communicate with women without patronisingWhen to engage… and when to walk away To find out more about Tara and get in contact with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taralynncoaching/ www.taralynncoaching.com  To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    1 hr
  4. Skill Acquisition Without the Noise and Coaching Through Mistakes with Job Fransen

    FEB 25

    Skill Acquisition Without the Noise and Coaching Through Mistakes with Job Fransen

    Send a text In this episode, Dan Cottrell is joined once again by skill acquisition specialist Job Fransen, Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University and Managing Director of SkillACQ. Together they explore what really matters in coaching practice design, feedback, and player development. Job shares why elite coaches rarely need “disrupting,” why most coaches intervene too quickly, and why sometimes the best coaching decision is to step back and let players solve the problem. They dig into: Coaching through mistakes rather than stopping at phase threeWhen feedback helps learning… and when it creates dependencyWhy prescriptive feedback should be used sparinglyHow confidence and competence are not the same thingThe controversial place for drills in developing short-term performanceWhy skill acquisition science cannot prescribe one “best” method🔑 Key Takeaways Players often detect and correct errors themselves. Coaches may be over-intervening.Feedback is powerful. Use it deliberately, not habitually.Prescriptive feedback can create dependency if overused.Letting play continue through errors can enhance collective learning.Not all improvement is conscious. Players do not need to verbalise change to learn.Drills can build short-term confidence, but they do not equal long-term learning.The best coaches are obsessive about craft, but open to nudges, not disruption.There is no universal “best practice.” Context and coach intuition matter.Find out more here: www.skillacq.com www.skillacq.com/pathways/build To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    59 min
  5. Inside The Rugby Paper: How rugby stories are built every week

    FEB 18

    Inside The Rugby Paper: How rugby stories are built every week

    Send a text What actually happens on a Saturday night when the final whistle blows and rugby stories still need to be told? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan is joined by Ben Jaycock, assistant editor at The Rugby Paper, to explore how parts of a national rugby newspaper are produced under extreme time pressure. While much of The Rugby Paper is planned days in advance, Ben explains how key match reports, ratings, and analysis are written live as games unfold and filed within minutes of full time, ready for a Sunday morning readership that already knows the score. The conversation lifts the lid on writing for readers who have watched the game, not those discovering the result, why creativity matters more than formula, and how editors balance honesty, criticism, and respect for players, coaches, and referees. They also discuss the importance of grassroots coverage, why The Rugby Paper resists clickbait, and what excites Ben about the modern game despite its financial challenges. A thoughtful insight into rugby journalism, storytelling, and why good reporting still matters to the health of the sport. Reach Ben on X Subscribe to The Rugby Paper Get weekly rugby union coverage from internationals to grassroots at therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    48 min
  6. Building the future of English rugby, with Steve Grainger

    FEB 11

    Building the future of English rugby, with Steve Grainger

    Send a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development at England Rugby, for an open and thoughtful conversation about the state of the community game. They explore how rugby is changing at grassroots level, from schools and clubs to coach education, workforce models, and the rise of T1 Rugby. Steve shares what has stayed stubbornly the same over decades, what has genuinely evolved since 2011, and where the biggest tensions now sit between tradition, participation, and sustainability. This is a wide-ranging discussion about systems, people, and trade-offs, grounded in the realities of Sunday mornings, volunteer coaches, and the long-term health of the game. Essential listening for anyone involved in coaching, club leadership, or rugby development. Five key takeaways Participation and sustainability matter as much as performance pathways in shaping the future of rugby.Community rugby thrives on resilience, not reliance, with clubs supported to solve problems locally.T1 Rugby is designed to reflect the core logic and values of rugby union, not just offer a non-contact alternative.Coach development is moving toward mentoring, peer learning, and flexible digital access rather than courses alone.The best future experience for young players will prioritise enjoyment, belonging, and learning over rigid tradition.  To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    53 min
  7. Building a Coaching Playbook That Actually Changes Clubs, with Charlie Farrell

    FEB 4

    Building a Coaching Playbook That Actually Changes Clubs, with Charlie Farrell

    Send a text What does it really take to align dozens of volunteer coaches, hundreds of players, and a whole club around one clear development pathway? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Charlie Farrell, Age Grade Rugby Director at Banbridge RFC, to unpack the thinking behind the club’s new Coaches Playbook. Designed to guide player development from first contact to First XV, the Playbook goes far beyond drills and session plans. Charlie explains why Banbridge needed a shared framework, how the five pillars (Technical, Tactical, Mental, Lifestyle, Physical) were shaped by lived coaching experience, and the very real challenges of rolling out change in a large, multi-sport community club. The conversation explores volunteer buy-in, consistency versus creativity, session planning, player behaviour, and what “success” actually looks like in age-grade rugby. Key takeaways A shared Coaches Playbook improves consistency and clarity in rugby coaching across all age groups.Effective player development combines technical skills with mental, physical, and lifestyle habits.Volunteer coaches need support, mentoring, and simple frameworks rather than rigid rules.Organised, game-based training sessions create better experiences for players and parents.Long-term development and retention are more important than short-term wins in youth rugby.Topics covered Rugby coaching frameworks Player development pathways Grassroots rugby coaching Supporting volunteer coaches Coach education and mentoring Age-grade rugby systems Building club culture through coaching To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    52 min
  8. Coaching with conviction, with Nash Cohen

    JAN 28

    Coaching with conviction, with Nash Cohen

    Send a text In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by performance coach Nash Cohen to explore what it really means to coach with conviction.  From defining winning beyond the scoreboard to building trust under pressure, the conversation digs into principles, skill detail, and creating environments where players think, adapt, and grow. Nash is the Head of Player & Performance Development Jamaica UK and Programme Director Elite Rugby Academy. You can find out more about the work he does at: eliterugbyacademy.co.uk To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

    52 min
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About

Dan Cottrell and guests discuss all the hot topics in grass roots rugby coaching from managing concussion to dealing with parents.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Cottrell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    378
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rugby Coach Weekly
  • Show Website
    Rugby Coach Weekly

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