Ireland punches well above its weight in producing elite coaches — and Colin Moran is a big part of why. As the IRFU's National Training and Education Manager for nearly 30 years, he's the architect behind the entire system that develops rugby coaches across Ireland, from mini rugby to the professional game.In this episode we get into what actually makes a good coach, why the old model of the coach as the expert in the middle is broken, and what a genuinely player-centred environment looks like in practice.What we cover:What makes a good coach (and why it's got nothing to do with credentials)The shift from giving answers to asking questionsWhy your job as a coach is to set puzzles, not run drillsHow to know when to intervene — and when to shut upBuilding a coaching culture inside your clubWhy enjoyment is the most underrated concept in rugby coachingAI and what it means for coach developmentHow Ireland's coaching system actually works🎙️ Guest: Colin Moran — IRFU National Training & Education Manager | World Rugby Master Trainer📺 Watch my jackling video here: https://youtu.be/aVp671N_Ptg===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

What separates great rugby players from the rest?According to Dylan Parsons, it’s not just skill execution — it’s what they see, when they see it, and where they place their attention.In this conversation, Dylan breaks down his "Head on a 45°" concept, explaining how elite players use their vision and peripheral awareness to make better decisions under pressure. We explore how top teams create space, identify defensive weaknesses, and consistently make the right front-door and back-door decisions in attack.We also dive into:• The Head on a 45° principle• Scanning and decision-making in attack• Training peripheral vision as a skill• Why players miss obvious opportunities• Vision, breathing, and performance under pressure• Creating better decision-makers in rugby• Practical coaching drills you can use immediately• Connecting players through shared pictures and languageWhether you're a player, coach, or rugby enthusiast, this episode offers practical insights into developing game awareness and improving on-field decision-making.Subscribe for more conversations with leading coaches, players, and performance experts from around the world.#Rugby #RugbyCoaching #SkillAcquisition #DecisionMaking #Scanning #GameAwareness #RugbySkills #PlayerDevelopment #CoachDevelopment #RugbyUnion #HighPerformance #VisionTraining #TheRugbyInstitute===========================Connect with us! Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================Our mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

In this video I sit down with Craig Stewart — a New Zealand rugby coach currently working as a skills coach with the Kobe Steelers in Japan's Top League.Craig shares a wealth of knowledge that applies at every level of the game, from professional rugby right down to your local club side.We cover:What makes a great coachBuilding a training environment players want to come back toThe offload — what's really happening pre and post contactScanning and decision makingWhy Craig believes we need to stop obsessing over perfect techniqueWhat's being undercoached at every level of the gameCoaching tips for school and club coachesWhether you're a school coach, club coach or just love the game — there's something in here for you.🎬 WATCH NEXT — Jackling Technique Breakdownhttps://youtu.be/aVp671N_Ptg===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

In this episode, former New Zealand Sevens and Wellington Defence Coach Tom Martin breaks down his complete system for coaching defence and tackling in rugby.Tom covers his chop-smash tackle system, the bullseye tackle technique, how to coach your assist tackler, and his "nominate to dominate" framework for defensive communication and line speed. He also shares how he builds defensive culture, gives honest feedback to players, and has the hard conversations every coach needs to have.Whether you're a club coach or a professional, Tom's practical approach to defence coaching, tackling systems, and player development will give you tools you can apply immediately.In this video:The chop-smash tackling system explainedHow to coach the assist tacklerThe bullseye tackle techniqueDefensive communication and line speedHow to build a defensive system for club rugbyGiving honest feedback and having hard conversationsBuilding a defensive culture in your team===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

Welcome to The Rugby Institute! 🏉If you're a coach, player, or just love rugby, this is the place to learn, improve, and connect. We break down game tactics, training drills, strength & conditioning, and mindset—all with real, practical advice from top players and coaches.This isn’t just a channel—it’s a community. Drop your thoughts in the comments, share what works for you, and help others get better. Let’s grow the game together.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

What does it actually mean to learn a skill?In this conversation with Adam Gorman, we dive into the science of skill acquisition and what it really looks like in training and competition.We explore:How players truly learn skills (and why it’s not through repetition alone)Why “perfect technique” often breaks down in gamesThe role of challenge, mistakes, and problem-solving in learningHow to design training that transfers to performanceWhy game-based environments accelerate developmentThe importance of autonomy, motivation, and engagementIf you’re a coach or player trying to understand how to improve performance, this episode will completely change how you think about training.===========================Connect with us! =============================YouTube: ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@therugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstitute===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

my Turner won 7 Six Nations Grand Slams and earned 3 World Cup selections as an England international. She then went on to coach at every level of the game, from school rugby to the Premiership men's programme at Harlequins and England u20s.Her approach to developing players looks different from most. And in this episode, she explains exactly why.Amy shares how to use games to build real rugby skills, why training doesn't always have to look like rugby, and how the best coaches build trust and keep players coming back week after week.What we cover:What makes a good coachHow to use games within games to get more reps and better outcomesAmy's 4 go-to games (Fiji Touch, Grenade Touch, Top 14 Touch & Rugby Netball)Why fundamentals matter more than shape at youth levelHow to reward behaviour over talentThe role of sport psychology in becoming a better coachFree IDP Template: https://therugbyinstitute.com/idp-individual-development-plan===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

In this conversation, I sit down with former professional player and coach Ben Herring to explore what coaching is really about.We go far beyond tactics and dive into the deeper side of coaching — culture, parenting, communication, and the responsibility coaches have to grow great people, not just better players.Ben shares powerful insights from his experiences coaching around the world, including Japan, and explains why most coaches are focusing on the wrong things.This is a must-watch for any coach, parent, or player who wants to make a real impact.🔑 WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy coaching is about more than winningHow to build a strong team cultureThe connection between coaching and parentingHow to make your coaching “stick”Lessons from coaching in JapanHow to develop players as people🎙 ABOUT BEN HERRINGBen Herring is a former professional rugby player and experienced coach who has worked across New Zealand, Japan, and Australia. He is known for his work on team culture, leadership, and developing people through sport.👍 SUPPORT THE CHANNELIf you enjoyed this video:Like 👍Subscribe 🔔Share with a coach or teammate🧠 COMMENT BELOWWhat do you think is the real job of a coach?===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

Coach Reflection Template: https://therugbyinstitute.com/downloadsHow do you design training that actually transfers to game day?In this episode, I sit down with Andy Gibson — Waratahs Super W coach, coach developer, and sports performance lecturer — to break down what truly drives player development and performance.We dive into:• How to design training that transfers to game day• Why decision-making is key to performance• The role of game-based learning in modern coaching• How to create pressure and realism in training• Coaching communication and player ownershipAndy shares insights from his experience working within the Crusaders and Canterbury systems, as well as in high-performance environments in Australia.If you're a coach or player looking to build smarter, more adaptable rugby players and create training that actually works on game day, this is one you don’t want to miss.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

What does it really take to go pro in rugby? 🏉In this exclusive interview, Springbok Flip van der Merwe shares the mental toughness, discipline, and sacrifices required to make it at the highest level. From daily routines and training secrets to the mindset that separates elite players from the rest, Flip gives you a rare look behind the scenes of professional rugby.Whether you’re an aspiring player, coach, or just a rugby fan, this episode reveals the hard truths about what it takes to reach the top.In this video, you’ll learn:The mental habits that elite players rely onWhy talent alone isn’t enough to go proThe sacrifices and discipline needed dailyHow Flip approaches training, recovery, and strategyDon’t miss this deep dive into the mindset of a Springbok and what separates the best from the rest.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.