The Game Plan

Friday July 09 2004

The Guru speaks

Our Guru, wisest of rugby coaches, discusses the game-plan, such a prominent part of modern rugby's vocabulary.

A game-plan can, I suppose, be likened to a battle plan in time of war; many will argue that, as in war, you cannot afford not to plan rugby games meticulously. A war is made up of many battles as a rugby game is- you have the battle up front (tanks), the loose forward contest (guided missiles), the backline cut-and-thrust (the fighter planes), the battle in the air (bombers) and, of course, defence (behind-the-line artillery).

There are very few international sides that do not employ analysts to go through videos of opponents' games trying to earmark strengths and weaknesses. (Having done some of that myself, I must admit to you that I found it extremely tiresome to do - it destroyed my rugby soul!). However, most of us who coach at ordinary levels do not have access to opponents' game tapes- we sometimes have not even seen our opponents play before, with the result that whatever game plan we evolve will be based on knowledge of our own team less than on knowledge of our opponents'- not altogether a bad thing.

In my particular part of the world, we play many traditional matches year after year and the coaches of many of these sides remain in their positions for a long time; this means, of course, that we get to know one another very well indeed; thus our game plan does take into account the psychology of the opposing coach. There are sides, for instance, that will try to subdue-and-penetrate forever even to the extent of virtually ignoring talented running backs. Then there are cranks such as I who will run the ball wide even in a torrential downpour and even if the backs are as slow as centipedes- talk about visiting the sins of the fathers on to the sons! We should adapt that saying to rugby: visiting the sins of the coaches on to the players (and boy, do I mean that, especially the sins part!).

The advantages of having a game plan:

1. You play a game that is best suited to your strengths.

2. You hide your weaknesses.

3. You play on your opponents' weaknesses.

4. You nullify their strengths.

5. Your players know exactly what is wanted of them on the field.

6. By limiting bad players, you limit the damage they can do to their own side.

The disadvantages of having a game plan:

1. You play according to one coach's obsessions.

2. You are more concerned about the opponents' game than your own.

3. You limit players of talent, intuitive players.

4. Players may not make their own decisions and so cannot adapt to changing circumstances.

5. You limit self-development by imposing a plan on the players.

6. You kill spontaneity.

7. You could have the wrong plans entirely and, like the generals of the Great War, send your troops to certain death.

I suppose the answer is to compromise: work out a game plan that suits your particular side- play to your pressure points- but also take into account your opponents' strengths and try not to play into their hands. Sometimes, of course, it pays to play on their strengths, beating them where they think they are strong, and then they have no answer. Make sure your game plan does not limit your own potential.

I often think of the mid-fifties when there was barely any coaching (compared with the modern day), when provincial (and International?) teams were not allowed to gather together before the Thursday prior to Saturday's game. Most of the rugby played was stunningly good for the players were very talented and spontaneous, not drilled into automatons. Quite often players in such matches had not met before and they had to adapt to one another on the field of play- imagine doing that now!

It makes me wonder if we really do need coaches - in those early days the captain did most of the coaching very successfully; he was, of course, aided by his senior players and the official "coach/manager". I believe that the most successful modern-day sides are those where the players have the most say in the designing of the tactics, the game plan.

Perhaps modern day rugby is much like modern-day war, all handled by remote control (coaches frantically jabbering instructions to physiotherapists with earphones as they run on to the field to minister to some poor injured fellow). I prefer the old way- there was something wonderfully, humanly warm and fallible about the whole game and in the aftermath of the games we made such meaningful friends from both sides (and the referee, too, was welcomed into our company and regarded as a pal).

Why am I waxing nostalgically about the past and game plans, now? Because, last week, I watched a rugby tournament celebrating the 175th year of one of South Africa's great schools; there was some very good rugby played at the festival. Among the sides drawn from the traditional schools in this country was one very efficient one from New Zealand (you could recognise them from their style of game). However, the team that thrilled most, that played the closest to perfect rugby, was one that was small in size but large in enthusiasm and talent.

What was their game plan?

1. Keep the ball in hand.

2. Pass before or in contact.

3. Support from depth and in numbers.

4. Move the ball wide as quickly as possible.

5. Play to space.

6. Observe proper defence lines and tackle with your heart.

7. Do not unnecessarily commit players to rucks and mauls.

8. Play the game in quick tempo especially when you are playing the heavies.

9. Run, run and run and think for yourselves.

10. Enjoy yourselves.

They conquered the heavies.

It was ecstatically, thrillingly, wonderful - and so, so satisfying.