Attitudes and behaviours of top-level junior rugby union coaches towards the coaching of proper contact technique in the tackle – a pilot study

Abstract

Background. Coaching strategies for effective technique and injury prevention have been proposed for the tackle. Despite this, little isknown about current coaching attitudes and the behaviours of coaches towards proper contact technique in the tackle, especially at thejunior level.Objective. To report on the attitudes and behaviours of junior rugby union coaches towards coaching of proper contact technique in thetackle.Methods. Seven coaches of the top 8 rugby-playing schools (Premier Division) in the Western Province Rugby Union participated in thestudy (representing 88% of the entire population of top-level junior coaches in the region). Coaches completed a questionnaire, modelledon previous research, surveying attitudes and behaviours towards tackling.Results. Proper technique for injury prevention was rated as very important (57%) and important (29%), with 14% undecided. Propertechnique to improve performance was rated as very important (57%) and important (43%). To further develop coaching knowledgeand to develop new training methods, ‘coaching colleagues’ (very much – 71%; mean rating 4.7; 95% CI 4.3 - 5.2) was rated as the mostoften used.Conclusion. Collectively, the coaches in this study demonstrated a positive attitude towards injury prevention and performance. Additionalmeans of communicating information to coaches, other than the traditional channels, have also been highlighted here.