In this episode, Chicago Hounds Forwards & Defence Coach Todd Dammers shares one of the most creative examples of team theming I've ever come across. From "The Chicago Way" and "Made Men" to building a season-long culture that players genuinely bought into, Todd explains how great theming can create clarity, connection and performance.We also dive into:🏉 Coaching modern players🏉 Building defensive systems that fit your team🏉 Tackle development and defensive connection🏉 Role clarity and player ownership🏉 Why Todd stopped giving players answers🏉 Communication, feedback and honesty🏉 Coaching in Australia, Spain, Japan and the USA🏉 Creating environments where players can learn and thriveThis is packed with practical ideas for rugby coaches at every level.🎙️ Guest: Todd DammersForwards & Defence Coach, Chicago HoundsIf you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe and share it with another 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.

What can coaching the Springboks, Fiji Rugby, the Miami Dolphins, and some of Europe's biggest clubs teach us about contact and collision?In this episode of The Rugby Institute Podcast, I sit down with Richie Gray, founder of GSI Performance and one of the world's leading contact and collision coaches.Over the last 25 years, Richie has helped shape how players and coaches approach tackling, breakdowns, ruck contests, and collision skills. We discuss his Five Fights framework, the evolution of contact coaching, player development, coaching methodology, and the lessons he's learned from working across rugby union, rugby sevens, and the NFL.Whether you're a coach looking to improve your contact training or a player wanting to better understand what happens in the collision area, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.Topics discussed:* The Five Fights framework* Tackle technique and contact coaching* Breakdown and jackal skills* Coaching methodology and player development* Working with the Springboks, Fiji Rugby, Toulon, and the Miami Dolphins* Building better collision athletes* The future of contact coachingIf you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with coaches, players, and performance experts from around the world.#Rugby #RugbyCoaching #TackleTechnique #ContactSkills #Breakdown #Jackal #Coaching #PlayerDevelopment #TheRugbyInstitute===========================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 of The Rugby Institute, I sit down with former England fullback Mike Brown to explore what it really takes to excel in the number 15 jersey.Mike earned 72 caps for England, became England's most-capped fullback, won a Grand Slam, and built a professional career spanning more than 20 years. Drawing on that experience, he shares his insights into positioning, game awareness, leading the back three, dominating the high ball, and the qualities that separate good fullbacks from great ones.We also dive into leadership, player-led versus coach-led environments, high performance, talent development, and the habits that allowed Mike to perform at the highest level for over two decades.Topics covered:🏉 The role of the modern fullback🏉 Reading the game and positioning🏉 Leading the back three🏉 Winning aerial contests🏉 Player-led vs coach-led environments🏉 Leadership and accountability🏉 High performance habits🏉 Longevity in professional rugby🏉 Talent identification and developmentIf you're a rugby player, coach, or fan looking to better understand elite performance and the fullback position, this episode is packed with practical insights.#Rugby #MikeBrown #EnglandRugby #Fullback #RugbyCoaching #HighPerformance #Leadership #TheRugbyInstitute #RugbyPodcast #PlayerDevelopment #TalentID #BackThree #RugbyAnalysis #ProfessionalRugby #SportsLeadership===========================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.