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.

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.