6. what you must know
What you must know
Introduction
The game of rugby has survived on the volunteer and in particular the coaches and referees that have given freely of their time so that children can enjoy the game.
The game has developed at a rapid rate since professionalism and keeping coaches abreast of the latest coaching techniques is a great challenge for the ARU and state Unions. The game has changed from a primarily ‘side on’ game to a ‘front on’ game.
The information below will outline what coaches must know so that they are aware of best practice policies and procedures. Further information can be gained through your state Union office or on the website or RugbyNet.
Coaching responsibilities
Coaches should be aware that before any player plays a game of rugby the club/school should organise training sessions so that the player is physically prepared for the contact nature of the game. State Union full time staff will co-ordinate coaching activities for coaches so that they are in-serviced in the identified areas of the game.
It is recommended that players train for a minimum of four sessions (minimum of two hours) prior to playing a game. In these training sessions the coach should concentrate on the appropriate contact aspects of the game including, tackling a ball carrier, falling to ground with the ball, scrummage (for forwards) and contact situations including ruck and maul.
The Legal Situation: Your Duty of Care
People who organise and conduct any sporting activities, including at school and club level, have a duty of care in relation to all participants in their sport. This is a legal responsibility, which must not be ignored. It applies to coaches, coordinators, officials, administrators and teachers alike. The SmartRugby program has been designed to help clubs and schools fulfil their legal responsibilities regarding safety in all levels of Rugby, by assisting them to:
(a) be aware of the underlying legal issues relevant to the organisation and conduct of Rugby activities and related services; and
(b) put safeguards in place to help protect them and their participants. A club, association, school, administrator, teacher, coach or referee who has implemented the practices recommended in the SmartRugby program to their players should be better equipped to meet their duty of care.
ARU National Insurance Plan
The ARU National Insurance Plan has been arranged through QBE Insurance Australia on behalf of all Insured persons, and includes Sports Public and Products Liability, Sports Professional Indemnity and Sports Injury (Accident) Insurances.
The plan defines the Insured parties as - Australian Rugby Union Limited and its members and affiliate members, including member clubs and associations of the various State members. The plan extends to provide coverage to the following Insured Persons:
All players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, voluntary workers, selectors, referees, touch judges, ball boys, medical officers, physiotherapists and ambulance officers; and all
directors, officers, employees, executive officers, office bearers, members and committees of the Insured. All participants must be registered with the ARU in order to obtain coverage under the ARU National Insurance Plan.
NOTE: The ARU National Insurance Plan does not provide Insurance cover for any individuals and/ or organisations not listed as Insured persons or Insured parties under the plan, unless specific cover is affected. The following organisations, associations, participants do not have automatic cover, including:
• School teams (other than Insured schools teams playing in ARU Junior competitions) • Golden Oldies
• Social Teams (ie non-registered club players)
Overseas Teams, and/or Non-Sanctioned Events (including registered club players).
Such insurance coverage is the sole responsibility of the individual organisation (i.e school through their school accident policy), alternately optional Sports Injury coverage can usually be arranged through Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers on approved applications.
The ARU has made provisions for Event Organisers to take out insurance cover for teams participating in sanctioned events/tournaments. More information on ARU Event Sanctioning is available at www.tryrugby.com.au/eventsanctioning. For a copy of the Rugby Insurance brochure or more information on insurance, please contact your Club Administrator, Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers on 1800 811 371 or visit www.gowgatessport.com.au/rugby.
ARU Member Protection Policy
The ARU’s Member Protection Policy (MPP) reiterates Australian Rugby’s commitment to ensuring that every person involved in rugby is treated with respect and dignity, and is safe and protected from harassment, discrimination, bullying, abuse and other unfair or inappropriate conduct. The ARU’s MPP is comprised of four sections:
(1) Policy statements regarding child protection, anti-discrimination and harassment, pregnancy and gender identity;
(2) Child Protection Requirements including a summary of relevant state legislation and recommended screening process for those states and territories that do not have specific child protection legislation;
(3) Procedures including step-by-step guide to all dispute resolution procedures complaints procedure, mediation procedure, child abuse investigation procedure, conduct committee and appeals procedure, summary of disciplinary measures; and
(4) Reporting document and forms.
Everyone involved in rugby should familiarise themselves with the MPP and the standards of behaviour expected of all participants. Coaches in particular should also familiarise themselves with the relevant anti-discrimination and child protection legislation in their State or Territory and, where necessary, obtain appropriately qualified legal advice. ARU’s MPP can be found at www.tryrugby.com.au/policies
ARU Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct seeks to establish standards of performance and behaviour to ensure that: • Participants act in a professional and proper manner.
• The game is played and conducted with discipline and sporting endeavour.
The Code of Conduct also seeks to deter all on-field and Rugby-related conduct that could damage the game by impairing public confidence in:
• The honest and orderly conduct of matches and competitions. • The integrity and good character of participants.
Particular reference needs to be made to points (f) through (m) of section 3 of the Code, found on the next page. Every Rugby participant is liable to effective sanctions if they are found to have breached the Code of Conduct.
3. Code of Conduct
All Participants in the game are bound:
(a) not to bet or otherwise financially speculate, directly or indirectly, on the outcome or on any other aspect of a Rugby Football match or Competition which he or she is either involved in (whether as a player, official or in any other capacity) or connected to:
(i) not to throw or fix a match, try to achieve a contrived outcome to a match or a Competition, or otherwise influence improperly the outcome or any other aspect of a match or a Competition;
(ii) not to provide information to a Bookmaker about a match or any aspect of a match which he or she is either involved in (whether as a player, official or in any other capacity) or connected to;
(b) not to seek or accept a bribe or other benefit to do anything mentioned in sub-paragraphs (3) (a)(i) and (ii);
(c) to report immediately to the ARU any offer of a bribe or other benefit to do anything mentioned in paragraph 3(a)(i) and (ii) or any attempt by any other person to do anything mentioned in paragraphs 3(a) or (b);
(d) to promote the reputation of the game and to take all reasonable steps to prevent the game from being brought into disrepute;
(e) not to engage in any Doping Practice as defined in the ARU’s Anti-Doping By Law; (f) to comply with the ARU’s Safety Directives for Referees, Coaches and Players; (g) not to repeatedly breach the Laws of the Game relating to Foul Play or Misconduct;
(h) not to abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match official, whether on or off the field, or a selector, coach, manager or other team official;
(i) not to show unnecessary obvious dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards a referee, touch judge or other match official, his or her decision or generally following a decision of a match official;
(j) not to use crude or abusive language or gestures towards referees, touch judges or other match officials or spectators;
(k) not to do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult or humiliate another participant on the ground of the religion, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the person;
(l) not to conduct themselves in any manner, or engage in any activity, whether on or off the field, that would impair public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of matches and competitions or in the integrity and good character of participants; and
(m) not to do anything which adversely affects or reflects on or discredits the game, the ARU, any Member Union or Affiliated Union of the ARU, or any squad, team, competition, tournament, sponsor, official supplier or licensee, including, but not limited to, any illegal act or any act of dishonesty or fraud.
4. Officers of a Rugby Body
An officer must, in relation to the Rugby Body of which he or she is an officer: (a) act in good faith and in the best interests of the Rugby Body;
(b) avoid all conflicts of interest between: (i) the interests of the Rugby Body; and
(ii) his or her own interests or the interests of any other person, including another Rugby Body; and
(c) not disclose to any person or use for his or her own purposes confidential information obtained as a result of the officer’s relationship with the Rugby Body, including but not limited to deliberations of the board of directors or other governing organisation of the Rugby Body.
5. Duty to Comply
Each Member Union and each Affiliated Union is obliged:
(a) to comply with, and to require Rugby Unions, Clubs and other bodies and persons in membership with it or affiliated to it to comply with, these By-Laws;
and
(b) to adopt the Procedures for Monitoring and Disciplining Breaches of the Code of Conduct set out in the Appendix to these By-Laws for monitoring compliance with, and imposing sanctions for breaches of, these By-laws by participants under its jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of Rugby Unions, Clubs clubs and other bodies in membership with it or affiliated to it.
Note: A person may be an officer of more than one Rugby Body, in which case it is important for the person to distinguish the separate capacities in which he or she acts as an officer; for example, a director of the ARU, when acting in that capacity, must act in the best interests of the ARU in preference to the interests of any other Rugby Body of which he or she is an officer.
Match Official Abuse
Rugby should be an enjoyable experience for all participants in the game including Match Official and referees. In accordance with the ARU Code of Conduct any form of abuse, dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards Match Officials will not be tolerated.
Match Official abuse has many negative consequences for Rugby. The match environment is less enjoyable for players and spectators. Furthermore, abuse can effect the referee’s concentration, confidence, control and level-headedness. This can lead to poor decision making which equals poor outcomes for both teams.
Players often take their cues from the sideline behaviour of their coach and spectators. Negative messages from the coach about the refereeing can effect the way players interact with the referee, usually to the detriment of the team involved.
Match Official abuse is the single greatest factor preventing the recruitment and retention of referees. If we don’t have referees, we don’t have a game. Have you ever seen a referee whose performance has improved after he was abused? There is no excuse for abuse! It is unacceptable and must be removed from our game.
Coaching within the Laws
It is important that coaches firstly know the Laws of the game, and their implication and then coach to those Laws. Coaching outside the Laws is a breach of the Code of Conduct and may create a risk with players.
Coaches should attend ARU coaching accreditation courses so that he or she is exposed to best practice procedures. Accreditation last for four years, after which time every coach, who wishes to continue to coach a team should re-accredit. The re-accreditation process can be gained from the ARU website or from your state Union office.
Protective clothing and equipment
To make rugby a safer sport coaches should encourage that players: a) wear a mouthguard for training and games. A laminated mouthguard provides the best protection and is available from a dentist.
b) have the correct training equipment, including balls, hit shields and padded goal posts. c) wear shoulder pads as long as they are made from soft, thin material which may be incorporated into an undergarment provided they cover the shoulder and collar bone only. For women players, the above applies, as well as covering the chest.
d) Wear shin pads under the socks with padding incorporated, in non-rigid fabric, with the padding no thicker than 0.5cm when compressed.
e) Wear a headgear made of soft and thin material provided the headgear is no thicker than 1cm when compressed. Headgear does not stop concussion, but can reduce the incidence of lacerations.
Hazard reduction
A hazard is an danger that can be reduce the incidence of risk. For instance, uncovered sprinkler heads (are a hazard to players) and can be covered with sand or turf so that they are not a danger. Further, training or games should never commence when there are unpadded goal posts. Other hazards around a field include ‘star posts’ (to rope off the playing area) too close to the field; corner posts made of hard or rigid material and scrummage machines left unattended and close to a playing field. Scrum machines should be in good working condition and should be checked by the coach prior to any training taking place.
Body shapes for playing positions
Coaches must be cognisant that players with long, thin necks should not play in the ‘tight five’. There are particular body shapes that are not appropriate for scrummaging, and players should not be placed into these positions under any circumstance.
Players (and especially forwards) should undertake neck strengthening exercises so that their body is conditioned for this phase of play.
Safety policy
Player safety is the games highest priority. As a result, coaches should be aware of the Safety Directives poster that are forwarded to clubs and schools on an annual basis.
a) scrum engagement sequence
b) scrum collapse and the disassembly procedures c) blood rule
d) concussion protocols
e) major catastrophic injury protocols, and f) management of injuries.
Coaches should make themselves aware of the safety directives poster and inform players of the issues raised in the poster.to respect this decision in the spirit in which it has been made.
ARU registration
The ARU’s MyRugby Admin allows every participant to register with the Union. This allows for immediate communication between the ARU/state Union to you. It allows the ARU to gain an accurate record of the number of players, coaches and referees in the system. It also ties every coach to our comprehensive insurance scheme.
This is important for a number of reasons, including reporting to government agencies like the Australian Sports Commission. It also allows us to gather data on what areas/districts are flourishing and which require further aid to develop.
Warm-up and cooling down
General principles. Why warm-up?
The Warm-up and cool down are fundamental elements required for the effective preparation of a team/individual before training or playing and for the recovery process post exercise.
The major physiological benefit include:
• To increase blood flow to the muscle groups to be used in the activity. (This increases the supply of oxygen to the muscles and enhances the removal of carbon dioxide).
• To increase muscle temperature. Increasing muscle temperature to 39º-40ºC increases flexibility, increases metabolism and increases neural fixing rate, ie optimal states for the muscles to move quickly and efficiently.
• To prepare the main muscle groups and muscles specific for the coming activity, ie. stretching and moving muscles/joints and rehearsing movement patterns.
• To distribute hormones such as adrenalin which help prepare the body for exercise. This involves the re-directing of blood flow away from unnecessary areas to areas that require it such as the muscles.
• To assist the player’s arousal level so that their mind is familiar with the relevant motor programs of the game.
• To rehearse movement patterns shortly to be used in the game or training session – this assists the motor programs to work more effectively.
The warm-up and cool down are both performed in the interest of injury prevention and to enhance performance. A poor warm-up will result in poor performance and an increased risk of injury.
Types of warm-up
General warm-up
This is used at the beginning of any warm up where all players go through the same routine of jogging, stretching, passing etc.
Specific warm-up
After the general warm up the team may break into backs and forwards and perform warm up drills that are specific to their positions. The specific warm up normally concentrates on those body parts vulnerable to injury and those which will be dominant in the subsequent exercises.
When do we warm-up?
On cold days the warm-up should not end more than ten minutes before the kick-off or training, and on extremely cold days (freezing temperatures) the whole warm-up should be performed in the change room. Alternatively, in warm climates, the warm-up could finish up to twenty minutes before the kick-off.
Most importantly, at all times players should avoid significant decreases in muscle temperature as the game approaches. A good indicator of optimal muscle temperature is when a player just begins to sweat.
When and why cool down?
The cool down should occur immediately after activity (as part of the recovery process), while the players are still warm.
Recovery time is very important. It helps to: • maintain joint mobility
• enhance the removal of lactic acid • prevent blood pooling
• transfer excess heat from the muscles to the environment in relatively cool conditions • return the body to normal functioning state.
Cool downs are especially important when teams are expected to play several games during a short period of time.
Intensity and duration of warm-up
The warm-up should progress with a gradual increase in exercise intensity. Jogging and stretching should ideally progress through to sprinting and explosive exercises. This is to ensure the recruitment of all muscle fibre types (first slow twitch then fast twitch).
Most importantly the warm-up should not significantly erode the energy stores in the muscles (eg. glycogen) or produce large amounts of lactic acid, as this may produce early fatigue during the game.
The coach should allow enough time for a general and specific warm-up, which should include stretching and skill activities. If the warm-up is too long it will decrease the time the team has for the final preparation in the change room, or if it is too short the players may lose their focus and concentration.
game the focus may be to arouse the players so that their mind is the game they are about to play. If the warm-up is before training, the focus may be to re-reinforce a skill. In either situation the aim of the warm-up will be to prepare the body for the ensuing activities.
Stretching as part of the warm-up and cool down
By first increasing the muscle temperature to 39ºC, flexibility will improve by up to 20%. This can be done in the general warm-up with some jogging and skill work.
Stretching exercises as part of the warm-up and cool down will increase the immediate flexibility of the muscles and joints (ie. a short term adaptation), prepare muscle fibres for the coming activity, and will contribute to improved athletic performance. (For muscles to attain full power they must be ‘optimally’ stretched.) Similarly, ligaments and tendons must have a certain length to allow a joint to move through its full range of motion and function efficiently.
Stretches should be held for approximately twenty seconds. Following a short rest period (as the muscle relaxes) the player can move further into the stretch. There should be no pain and no bouncing or jerky movements during the session.
Note:Stretches held for twenty seconds – the focus is on muscle fibres. These are appropriate for warm-up.
Stretches held for three minutes – the focus is on connective tissue. These are appropriate for increasing flexibility and range of movement, however not used during the warm-up. These stretches would be used for a specific flexibility session.
There are two important forms of flexibility that need to be distinguished. These are:
General flexibility
Performed before and after activity to prepare for exercise and to aid in the recovery of the body after exercise. Remedial or developmental flexibility. Specifically used to increase the level of flexibility and to improve any problem areas causing stiffness or pain, eg. tight hamstrings. A number of remedial type flexibility sessions should be performed each week. These can be performed almost anywhere, eg watching television.
There are a number of theories on how to use stretching as part of the warm-up and cool down. As a general rule, for pre-activity active dynamic stretching can be performed after static stretching. This will help to prepare the body for the dynamic and explosive movements to be performed during the game or training. For post-exercise, static stretching is generally used.
Benefits of stretching
Players should stretch regularly to: • maintain a certain level of flexibility, • ensure full range of movement,
• decrease the incidence of muscle tendinous injury, • contribute to improved athletic performance, • promote the development of body awareness,
• optimise the learning, practice and performance of many skilled movements, • aid relaxation, and
Types of stretching
Static Stretching
Involves stretching to the furthest endurable position of muscle length with no pain then holding the position for ten seconds to three minutes. It:
• is a safe method of stretching • requires little energy expenditure.
Ballistic stretching
Involves explosive movements to stretch, e.g. kicking, bouncing. It: • is not as safe as static stretching
• involves the rehearsal of motor patterns
• is not useful for developing or improving flexibility, but may be important in some sports which require explosive movements at the end of a comprehensive warm-up prior to training or playing.
Passive stretching
Involves an external force being applied to a relaxed muscle. It: • utilises the use of a ‘buddy’
• must be used cautiously, bearing in mind not to over stretch and tear the muscle • is suitable for improving flexibility.
Active stretching
Uses the muscle itself to create the movement. It:
• develops active flexibility and control of the available movement.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching
Taking a muscle to its end of range then contracting the muscle against resistance and then moving into a newly acquired range and then repeating the action is basically PNF stretching. It: • is an effective way of increasing flexibility
• is the hardest to do
• requires a partner for some stretches, and • may cause injury if it is not done properly.
Examples of a warm-up structure
• Light activity – Get up a light sweat • Static Stretch
• Increased activity
General Warm-up
• Static stretch/Active stretch/ballistic stretch • Skill drills
Specific warm-up
• lineouts • ruck/maul • backline moves
Rugby drills for warm-up
• Corner Ball • Rugby Baseball • Rugby Gridiron • Two ball touch • Fiji Touch or
Grid work for warm-up. • Passing 2-4 balls • Place and pick up • Roll ball
• Pass to the left or right (Star passing) • Relays with variations
Warning
Be careful not to introduce drills that are too intensive where the body has not prepared for that level of activity. Complex drills performed with speed before completely stretching can do more harm than good. Ensure that the players are fully prepared for the upcoming drills.
