Gordon D’Arcy: Coaching Players Younger Must Become Priority

Gordon D’Arcy is back again this week with his two cents and he believes a huge issue that is yet to be resolved with the Northern Hemisphere is the teaching of skills to younger players.

D’Arcy reckons that too many 18 and 19-year olds are learning passing skills they should have by 14 or 15.

All we need are better passers, better kickers and better decision-makers. We know how to turn them into athletes, but there are too many 18- and 19-year olds learning passing techniques they need to have in their locker by 14 or 15.

They may say I’m a dreamer, but it would be the best money the IRFU ever spent. It would be about raising the standards of coaching in every club in Ireland by lowering the age that teenagers are exposed to genuine coaching expertise.

The problem with rugby players is some start growing at 14, others at 16 while some don’t fill out until they are 20. But habits are formed earlier. Highly skilled coaching investment needs to focus on 12- to 14-year-olds. Certainly by under 15, a future international needs to know how to pass and catch to a proficient level.

You can read the full article here. Definitely worth a read LADS.