Calmness Personified at the Homestead of Rugby League in the Southern Heartland!!
I will attempt to set the scene for one and all. A fine blue sky, not a cloud piercing the view of N22 in its finest hour, a cooling breeze would blow west south westerly and the not so lush ground would await the arrival of this morning’s boys of the Black Red n Green.
With the summer holidays beginning to take hold and the season nearing completion I thought less touch and more activities to push the boys to their max and see how well they could cope as I upped the intensity of previous sessions. So with cones in hand and a mood matching that of Leonardo Da Vinci pre-Mona Lisa, I would set up several different areas with many colours of cones that alongside Rover and the Great Wall of China would be seen from the International Space station.
The normal arrival turns into a kick-a-thon which benefits nobody and drives me around the proverbial bend. As each member of the team arrived I set about passing the ball in a circle with three of them and as the numbers increased, before the start time I might add, got them to join in, increased the number of balls to challenge the boy’s communication and eye skills. Nice and simple to begin, encouraging looking in both directions, chatting, hands up, this would get the hands and comms going as then our start time hit the alarm and the session would begin and not one of them missed or mentioned kicking!!
With the sun getting warmer by the minute the lads got stuck into the first part of the session, Walking touch. This would encourage more movement towards the ball as it’s something we don’t seem to do at speed whilst at the same time looking to draw the defender and pass early so as to stretch the defence crossfield. All of sudden the passers came to the fore and the team work really shone through. The quick hands I dream of daily was taking effect, both teams working the ball nicely to the edges, calling for the ball, hands up, AWESOME stuff!!
After a quick hydration break we then moved into the 10 passes game. As we had odd numbers I would step into the breach and we broke into three groups, 2 groups of 2v2 and 1 group of 3v3. This really worked the boy’s inner sanctum of oxygen, footwork, communication and hands. You could hear the heavy breathing which goes to show how, even in a small space of 10by 8yards pushes the body to its limits. No overhead passing here just rugby passing, movement, support and communication!
A further slurp of Agua Purificada and into the passing line racing which really challenged the boys, 13 cones set up from the 10 out to the 40 metre yard line each with different spacing’s. Moving the ball to each cone and running to the next available cone and await the pass. Some confusion but plenty of smiles en route to the end. This led us into a Rugby basketball, again no overhead passing only back, forward and sideward’s. If you get touched turnover!! Again the teamwork would be on show here as this game requires plenty of communication and support.
Just when you thought there wouldn’t be anymore time I unleashed the Embed the Pathway Play the ball race, but first got the lads to demonstrate the Back/Forward and side protective falling before splitting them into three teams. Decent play the balls too. A lot of effort in these races, 200+ metres before a break, down and up then a play the ball. No need for beasting sprints when you can do these a few times. Great effort and teamwork!!
The journey to the very depths of maximum effort and sinew breakage we would finish on 18 tackles of defensive mapping which tested the very fabric of their being, their teamwork would also be tested to the limit out and back, nearly 400 metres covered in a couple of minutes. Non-stop power and belief. The true signs of Vikings in waiting, of the commitment and passion required to be part of the Black Red n Green Phenomenon sweeping not just N22 but E4 and beyond.
The Penultimate trainer of a massively enjoyable years Rugby League in N22. By the time we approached the final game of touch the boys efforts had been well and truly Max’d out.
Therefore on that note I thank you for your time and dedication to the cause. I will return for the final trainer this week before the U12s embark on their Farewell Festival of Rugby next weekend.
I bid you Good afternoon and evening as I sit back, relax and watch the Dragons de Les Cats take on Hector’s favourite Giant Eorl and the rest of Huddersfield.
You are the loyal and committed viewers and I am the Inspirational and Suntanning Viking Sensation of the New Scandinavian Nation!!
Viking Rugby 
