Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Better yet, these things can be practised in training. Simulated drills and games present similar situations to those that may appear within a match. Inevitably, mistakes can be eradicated with persistence. The same can be said for passing. For example, the 6 o' clock pass.

Presenting an easy catch for the person who's catching it, the 6 o' clock pass is a short pass travelling no more than three or four metres in the air. If the pass is thrown long, it will begin to wobble and won't reach the intended target with definite precision.

A specific pass for a specific area of the field, the pass is something that can be perfected in training, reinforcing the ideology of advanced skill and the need for continual practice.

Players need to recognise that applying the correct skill at the correct time is important for both the coach and team. However, vision is a different story. Something that cannot be perfected over night, vision comes from experience.

"Some players are more gifted than others with vision and as a result they'll play in certain positions, " Culnane says.

"You've seen players with better vision than others and you as a coach have responsibilities to put those into positions that are best going to suit your team."

This can also be applied to evasion.

There are a number of ways a player can be evasive in the game of rugby league; the sidestep, the swerve, the feint or the draw and pass.

A player can also use the hit and spin method of repulsion, or attempt to change their pace to escape the opposition.

The skills required to be evasive include balance, speed, agility, power and the ability to create space between the ball carrier and the defender. They also need co-ordination and vision, as mentioned..........

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