Articles

Latest Posts

Why it’s hard to overestimate the value of a hard YACKER

Nick Bishop explains What is a rugby YACKA and the important role they play in a team’s attack.

Targeting the key attacker in backline defence

The importance of excellent backline defence was on show in the titanic contest between England and France at the Women’s World Cup. Nick Bishop breaks down France’s defensive strategies to successfully shut down England’s outstanding centre, Emily Scarratt.

How to build the lineout drive on your own terms

Using England’s successful Red Roses lineout Nick Bishop details 2 key features to building an effective lineout drive.

The absolute clarity about the ‘where’ and ‘how’ of the attack

Wayne Smith’s highly successful, and exciting, ‘where’ and ‘how’ attack clarity was very much in evidence during the Black Ferns recent group match against Wales, as Nick Bishop details in this week’s analysis.

How ‘Turnaround Tyrel’ learned his tall tight-head trade at scrum-time

Nick Bishop highlights the value of the transference of knowledge between coach and a senior player to a less experienced player. Nick uses the recent example of All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax with forwards coach Jase Ryan and veteran prop Owen Franks.

Defending a Midfield Scrum

Defence alignment is a ‘common’ mistake in community rugby. Made even more difficult for the defensive team from a midfield scrum as highlighted in this week’s analysis.

How to use the ‘15 metre plus’ lineout throw to create attacking success

The Springboks recently discovered some interesting nuances of the lineout law. Nick Bishop details how they rapidly widened into fully-fledge defensive ‘loopholes’ in their recent Argentina Rugby Championship test match.

What is the theory behind restarts up the middle?

Why did Australia and South Africa buck the trend and restart up the middle rather than to the corners in their recent Rugby Championship game? Nick Bishop details why and the problems it creates for the receiving teams.

How to get the most out of your turnover defence at the ruck

Nick Bishop looks at the creative solution All Black coaches have created to overcome captain Sam Cane’s reduced his effectiveness in the tackle area, as a pilferer of opposition ball, due to his neck injury.

How to use the tip-on pass without tipping it off

The tip-on pass off 9 can be effective when you draw the defender up on point opposite your forward receiver.
Analyst Nick Bishop examines how you can make even more effective.

The theory of marginal gains in player development

The theory of marginal gains has been around for the best part of two decades. However, Nick Bishop highlights, citing All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho’s recent Ellis Park test performance as an example, marginal gains can have a momentum-gathering effect during a game.

Latest trends in the kicking game from San Juan

Hardly a week goes by in the international game, without further proof of the value of a well-directed kicking game.
Using the recent Argentina Vs Wallabies match, Nick Bishop highlights why it is one of the keys to success at any level of the game, whatever your preferred style of play as