RugbyReady Practical Course Manual

Transcription

1 RugbyReady Practical Course Manual

2 Introduction This publication has been designed to give you a summary of Scottish Rugby s policies regarding player safety and complements the IRB Rugby Ready booklet that you received on the RugbyReady Practical course. In this booklet, you ll find supporting information on all player safety aspects of the game covered in the course. 2 scottishrugby.org 3

3 Are You Ready to Play Rugby? Contents 1. Are You Ready to Play Rugby? 5 Scottish Rugby s player safety programme including specific information on the following: a. Minimum standards of coaching, teaching and refereeing 6 b. Age grade law variations 7 c. Age bandings including male under-16 players in under-18 8 rugby and male under-18 players in adult rugby policies, and player dispensation d. Managing injuries 10 e. Minimum standards for pitch side care Concussion Management Refereeing / Laws update ScrumReady Neck Conditioning (S1 and above) Summary 20 Background The Are You Ready to Play Rugby? campaign was launched by Scottish Rugby at the start of 2009 to ensure that a consistent approach to player safety is adopted across Scotland by all coaches, teachers, referees and volunteers. Following an increase in serious neck injuries in recent seasons particularly in youth rugby, it is paramount that we all work together to reduce the risk of acute injury. In the period 1995 to 2004 the average rate of serious neck injuries was just over one per season. Between 2005 and 2009 this rate rose sharply to over 3 serious neck injuries per season. The Are You Ready to Play Rugby? campaign resulted in a number of changes to the game for males at the start of season 2009/10. Early indications on the initial impact of the changes in the boys game are positive, with less instances of serious neck injuries in youth rugby reported over the last four seasons. However, it is too early to say if this is a result of the changes that have been made, and conclusions can only be drawn after monitoring injury trends over a number of seasons. Over the last four years, Scottish Rugby has been working very closely with the Scottish Committee of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeons (SCOT) and the Scottish Government to implement safety changes, and we would like to thank them for their continued support and guidance. Scottish Rugby would also like to thank the rugby clubs and schools for working with us to improve safety through implementing these policies. 7. IRB Passport 22 Full information is available in the Pocket Guide to youth rugby and all relevant policies and forms are available at scottishrugby.org/areyouready 4 scottishrugby.org 5

4 Minimum standards of coaching, teaching and refereeing It is a minimum requirement for all coaches, teachers and referees to have completed the online IRB Rugby Ready self-assessment (to be updated when prompted by the IRB) and attend the RugbyReady Practical course (completed annually). Scotland is not unique in this approach. The introduction of such a course in New Zealand, for example, has contributed to a marked decrease in the instances of serious spinal injuries RugbyReady Course Content Injury Prevention and injury management Concussion guidance Law variations and age banding Neck conditioning Age Grade Law Variations Scottish Rugby requires all clubs and schools to follow the appropriate age grade law variations without exception. The age grade law variations allow youngsters to learn the game and enjoy rugby in a structured, consistent and safe manner. The age grade law variations remain the same for the season, having been revised for season The age grade law variations are available in the Age Grade Law Variations handbook and from scottishrugby.org/areyouready The age grade law variations should not be viewed in isolation but should always be used in conjunction with the full IRB Laws of the Game, available at We also recommend that every coach completes the online laws test available at Safe practice in the scrum (including the revised crouch Bind Set process) Safe practice in the tackle Referee/Laws update Game Coaching and Age Grade Law Variations update (mini course only) Anyone wishing to progress to UKCC level one can apply in the usual way but all coaches must have attended one of the above courses beforehand. Visit for further information. 6 scottishrugby.org 7

5 Age banding Policy Children and young people should be playing and training with other people of the same age and physical maturity. Female Rugby In the case of female rugby, players between the ages of 12 and 17 play in two age bands, each covering three years under-18 and under-15. The bands are selected to minimise disparities in physical maturity and development, while allowing meaningful player development to take place. As the number of girls playing rugby increases, Scottish Rugby aims to reduce the size of these age bands. The existing age bands for girls should be viewed as a maximum range, with clubs and schools adopting the smallest age range of players possible when arranging training and matches. Female players cannot train and/or play out of their age-band without prior approval from Scottish Rugby to do so. Male Rugby Scottish Rugby recommends that male youth rugby is played in a maximum of two year age bandings; for example, players in S1 can play with the S2 year group, but not with the S3s. In this instance, the S2 laws would be adopted. Summary of Male Rugby age banding policies: 1) Under-16 players in under-18 and under-17 rugby a) Only for exceptional 15 year old players, who have the appropriate level of playing experience and skill levels to play in a higher age band. b) Application made to Scottish Rugby via c) Player then undergoes a physical maturity assessment (organised by Scottish Rugby) The physical maturity assessment verifies the height and weight information given on the application form and also measures hand grip strength. Research shows that this set of measurements can be correlated and considered against the parameters devised by the Scottish Committee of Orthopedic and Trauma surgeons to give a reliable indication of the stage of development of an individual s skeleton. You can not pass or fail a physical maturity assessment and it is not possible to affect the player s level of physical maturity through physical training techniques. It is important that a young player is not put under pressure to move up an age grade before they are physically mature enough to do so. Player s whose results indicate that they are close to physical maturity may apply to be re-tested after 3 months. No other players will be retested. 2) Under-18 players in adult rugby With effect from the commencement of the season, male players are only permitted to participate in adult rugby if they are at least 18 years old at the date of the game concerned, unless the exception below applies. a) Where a player is 17 years old i.e. no players under 17 years of age can play senior rugby; AND Where the player and coach have completed the online IRB Rugby Ready course (see and the coach is qualified to a minimum standard of UKCC level 2 and has attended an SRU RugbyReady Practical Course in the immediately preceding 18 months; AND Where the coach undertakes the following physical and skill assessments on the player in accordance with SRU s Assessment Guidance, and the player successfully completes: (1) a squat and press-up assessment (2) a tackle assessment; AND Where the coach gathers and presents information on the player s experience, injury history and indicates the level of rugby to be played; AND For a prop or hooker aged 17 to be able to play adult rugby in the front row of the scrum the player would have to: (1) Provide information on the player s front row experience, ability and front row specific coaching received (2) Players who have satisfied a regional panel on the strength of the above information would then be invited to attend Murrayfield for an assessment of their neck strength; AND Written approval is given on behalf of SRU. Player Dispensation based on medical grounds A player may apply for permission to play down an age grade when his or her safety may be compromised due to an existing or previous medical disability, physical or behavioral condition. For details of how to apply for dispensation and to access the above policies, please visit 8 scottishrugby.org 9

6 Managing Injury Injury reporting An online injury report form must be filled out for any situation that requires hospital treatment. This information will allow Scottish Rugby to record, monitor and evaluate injury trends and make any informed changes to reduce the risk of further injury. Minimum standards of pitch-side care The basic minimum standard of pitch-side care across all levels of rugby is that a responsible adult be present, with the means to contact the emergency services. We also advise that there is someone present with a recognised basic first aid qualification. Any tournament or event organisers should consider the provision of formal first aiders from a recognised provider. The Serious Injury Reporting process is integrated into the online Player Registration System, which is currently operated by clubs and schools to manage their players and key contacts. Completing a Serious Injury Report Form In order to make the new system as accessible as possible it can be accessed in one of two ways. By using: 1) Your club or school s existing unique username and password or 2) The following generic login: Username Password INJURYREPORT SRinjury01 A report can also be submitted without a player s name attached if the player is not registered with the club/school. If this is the case, all other parts of the report can be completed and when submitted an will be sent to the club/school data manager for them to contact the user to register the player and then attach the players details to the report. If you require any further assistance regarding the new Serious Injury Report Process or use of the player registration system please contact your regional administrator. 10 scottishrugby.org 11

7 Concussion Management Concussion must be taken extremely seriously to safeguard the long term welfare of Players. Here are some key steps: Concussion Management Concussion must be taken extremely seriously to safeguard the long term welfare of players. Players suspected of having concussion must be removed from play and must not resume play in the match or training Players suspected of having concussion must be medically assessed Players suspected of having concussion or diagnosed with concussion, must go through a graduated return to play protocol (GRTP) Returning to play process Where a doctor is NOT present to manage the process on a daily basis (clubs and schools): If a player has been diagnosed with concussion they must not play until at least the 21st day. Only after a symptom-free 14 day stand-down period from playing sport and/or training for sport, can the player start commence a graduated return to play process. Only if symptom free after 21days, and having completed the graduated return to play process, can the player resume full-contact training and playing. It is recommended that every player seeks medical clearance before returning to play. Where a doctor is present to manage the process on a daily basis (professional clubs): It is possible for the player to return to play after a minimum of six days having successfully followed and completed each stage of the graduated return to play protocol please see IRB guidance for full details. The doctor must manage each stage of the graduated return to play protocol. This is only likely to be the case with professional teams. All other clubs and schools should follow the return to play process above. Players must receive medical clearance before returning to play Visit irbplayerwelfare.com for further information Testing a player for the symptoms of concussion The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3)*, the text of which in abbreviated form (Pocket SCAT2) is set out below, is approved by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), its independent research body F-MARC (FIFA-Medical Assessment and Research Centre), the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), theinternational Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Rugby Board itself. 12 * Developed by a group of international experts at the 3rd International Consensus meeting on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, Switzerland in November The full details of the conference outcomes and the scottishrugby.org 13 authors of the tool are published in British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2009, volume 43, supplement 1.

8 Refereeing / Laws Update It is the intention that these guidelines will inform participants in domestic rugby how the game is to be officiated during the 2013/14 season. It is not intended to change the Laws of the Game which remain the definitive guide to playing the game but it is intended to offer further guidance to areas of law which are open to interpretation. For full information on each law area, please visit Key areas to highlight this season are: Offside There are two main areas within offside that are most concern for match officials: Ruck and Maul Player must be clearly behind the back foot otherwise they will be penalised Quick Ball Open play An offside player must actively retreat when in front on the kicker. It should be a priority for coaches and match officials to ensure the tackle areas is clean, and that the ball is made available quickly (within 3 seconds). Assistant tacklers must release the ball carrier Support players must show positive intent to stay on their feet no sealing off! Gate compliance Scrum The International Rugby Board Council has announced the implementation of a global trial of the crouch, bind, set scrum engagement sequence, which is aimed at enhancing player welfare by reducing impact on engagement by up to 25 per cent. Approval of the sequence on player welfare grounds, is coupled with a call for Game-wide commitment from law-makers, match officials, coaches and players to ensure a fair and positive attitude is applied to deal with scrum issues facing the elite level of the Game. Implementation will begin at the start of season and follows extensive evaluation of the sequence during the recent IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, which indicated the possible delivery of a more stable platform leading to fewer resets and more successful scrums. In a revision of the crouch, touch, set engagement sequence currently being trialled, props will be expected to bind using their outside arm after the referee has called bind in the sequence. Crouch Bind Front rows crouch into their scrimmaging position, keeping their backs flat, shoulders above hips. Front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop must bind. 1) A loosehead prop must bind on the opposing tighthead prop by placing the left arm inside the right arm of the tighthead and gripping the tighthead prop s jersey on the back or side. 2) A tighthead prop must bind on the opposing loosehead prop by placing the right arm outside the left upper arm of the opposing loosehead prop and gripping the loosehead prop s jersey with the right hand only on the back or side. Set The props must not grip the opponent s chest, arm, sleeve or collar. Following a pause, the referee will call set when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then engage. 14 scottishrugby.org 15

9 ScrumReady The set call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready. The sanction for any infringement will be a free kick. The scrum must be steady before the ball is thrown in, and the ball must be thrown in straight by the scrum half. For further information on the revised engagement sequence, please visit The ScrumReady coaching tool outlines the progressions a player should go through in order to play in the front row (age-grade law variations apply). Coaches should ensure front row players are competent at each stage before progressing to the next. For further information on coaching the scrum, coaches should go through their UKCC level 2 and/ or attend a ScrumReady workshop (contact your local coach development officer for info). Please also refer to the Coaching Youth Rugby LTPD Stage 3 coaching resource for basic guidance on coaching the scrum. Tackle There is no place in Scottish Rugby for foul play. A clear act of foul play must not be ignored. Referees will adjudicate on degree of sanction. We are looking for consistency of decisions regarding lifting tackles Can the FRONT ROW player demonstrate and maintain a safe scrummaging position when... START No engage at first Solo with no opposition Solo against a machine With a 2nd ROW against a machine With a 2nd ROW against 2 players Training required + Player not to play in front row Progress to engage at each step 5 With a 2nd ROW and FLANKER against a machine 6 With a 2nd ROW and FLANKER against 3 players 7 In a 5/6-MAN SCRUM against a machine 8 In a 5/6-MAN SCRUM against a 5/6-MAN SCRUM No First Observation Legs above Horizontal = min. Yellow card Second Observation Which part of the body makes contact with the ground? Head/neck/shoulder = Red card Arm(s) not relevant 9 10 In a 8-MAN SCRUM against a machine In a 8-MAN SCRUM against a 8-MAN SCRUM FINSIH Every time a player lifts a ball carrier above the horizontal, they will be strongly sanctioned. PLAYER IS SCRUMREADY 16 scottishrugby.org 17

10 Neck Conditioning Recommended for players in all positions, aged 12 years and above Resisted Shrug Ball to Wall Hold Step 1) Step 2) Use a soft rugby ball to brace your head against a wall. Make sure your neck is in a neutral position at all times, and that your body is at a slight angle to wall, therefore applying pressure through your neck. Note - Do not undertake this exercise with the ball on your forehead. Step 1) Step 2) Step 3) Step 4) Stand in an upright position, feet slightly closer than shoulder width apart. Make sure your neck is in a neutral position at all times. Stand on a theraband with both feet, holding the ends with your hands. Perform a shrug but pulling your shoulders up towards your ears, squeezing at the top. Reverse and Side Lunge Step 1) Step 2) With assistance from a partner, place a theraband or towel around your head to add resistance to your neck. Perform a reverse or side lunge whilst maintaining good posture throughout the movement. Stop if the resistance from the theraband or towel tilts your neck out of its neutral position. The purpose of these exercises is to improve neck muscle conditioning, with the aim of developing a stronger, more stable neck. This in turn may reduce the risk of injury to the player in areas such as the tackle and scrum. Exercise repetitions and time must be dictated by the players technique and experience. It is best to complete this session in a circuit format, having a break once a circuit is complete; then, continuing with more circuits depending on the experience and technique of the player. Disclaimer - Anyone intending to undertake a physical conditioning programme should seek medical advice from a registered medical practitioner prior to doing so. The information and guidelines regarding the skills of Rugby and associated physical conditioning should only be used following and in conjunction with advice from appropriately qualified trainers, coaches and referees. Note - Do not undertake a forward lunge with resistance on the neck. 18 scottishrugby.org 19

11 Summary Everybody involved in organising and playing Rugby has a duty of care in relation to the players. The RugbyReady Practical course is intended to raise awareness of good practice and help coaches, teachers and referees manage the inherent risks of a contact sport by putting appropriate safeguards in place. Everyone have a collective responsibility to ensure the Game is played with a sense of fair play. Rugby is intensely physical so players must be continuously taught the importance of discipline. That means that foul play, thuggery or referee abuse must not be tolerated. All custodians of this great Game need to promote fair play. respect yourself, the opposition, the officials and the Laws of the Game win with honour, lose with dignity try to stay calm the referee is in charge; support him/her by playing fair and respecting his/her decisions By completing the IRB RugbyReady online self-assessment and the RugbyReady Practical course, you should hopefully now have a full understanding of what it takes to be Rugby Ready. 1) Screen / profile your players before they start playing 2) Ensure your equipment and environment are safe, and develop an emergency plan 3) Ensure players prepare thoroughly: physical conditioning lifestyle warm up / cool down 4) Teach and re-teach safe techniques: balance, stability and posture tackle and 1-on-1 contact scrum and lineout ruck and maul 5) Do not tolerate foul play 6) Know how to deal with all injuries: If you follow these Rugby Ready steps as a coach, teacher or referee, you will enjoy your Rugby even more. For further information and downloads please visit the following websites scottishrugby.org 21

12 IRB Passport Notes Scottish Rugby recommends that all coaches, teachers and referees undertake the following online courses: 1) IRB RugbyReady 2) IRB First Aid in Rugby 3) IRB Laws 4) IRB Concussion Management 5) IRB Level 1 Strength and Conditioning All are free of charge. Visit for info 22 scottishrugby.org 23

13 Scotland fixtures at Murrayfield 2013/14 AUTUMN TESTS 2013 Scotland v Japan Saturday 9 November, 2.30pm Scotland v South Africa Sunday 17 November, 3pm Scotland v Australia Saturday 23 November, 6pm Scotland v England Saturday 8 February, 5pm Scotland v France Saturday 8 March, 5pm Tickets on sale now at scottishrugby.org For details of club & school group offers and club commission, please ask your club or school ticket secretary. scottishrugby.org 24 scottishrugby.org