aspire2 Clinic News Update 13th Feb 23

Some very impressive performances this half term, well done. Some players are really starting to develop their decision-making skills around pass or not, and which pass. Perhaps most encouragingly, we are starting to run hard at space with the ability to move the ball if we are aware that our space is closing and another player is in a better position than ourselves.

Most of you will have seen or heard news over recent weeks regarding the tackle height. The tackles that we teach and will continue to teach at the skills clinic are consistent with the messages and learning that has been discussed on programmes such as “Rugby tonight”. 

A tackle that you will see on TV that we don’t teach is the “chop tackle”. We don’t promote this tackle because it targets the ball carrier very low and in the area of the knees and therefore by default means that the tackling player has no control of their body at the point of, and immediately before making contact, it also leaves the tackler's head incredibly exposed.

With the ground being cold and hard over recent weeks, going to ground has not generally been a realistic option but we hope that in this coming half term we can continue to develop that confidence in contact for both the tackler and ball carrier. So please remember gum shields for the next half term. 

The dates for next six weeks half-term are: 21^st and 28^th February, 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th, March (£60).

Have a good half term, with thanks from Mike and Sue