Player Information
All information on this site is protected by copyright and all rights reserved. Authorized users only.

On another matter, Jen Krain has been busy setting up our spring schedule of opponents, and I will post those updates soon on the calendar. Stay tuned.

December 27, 2009 18:28
Great news... we have been invited up to Division II!!!! This is a great achievement for the club, and I am proud of all the players - both past and present who have worked so hard to get us to this new position. It is a testament to the work ethic of the team and a long-term view that so many players have had that has enabled changes in the team and a building of such a strong team culture.

Our work is not over - not by a long shot. Division II will be tough, and we will need to bring our game up another notch in order to be competitive. This will require hard work from everyone... but I know you are all up to the task.

Congratulations, and I hope you all have a great New Year!



about this site • current news • player documents • captains' corner • coach contact
Player documents last updated September 20, 2009 17:47
Documents and their short descriptions are listed below. All documents are required reading unless otherwise noted. If you have questions or trouble downloading, please contact me.


selections criteria.pdf - Summary of elements considered every week during selections.

excellent players.pdf - A quick guide to the ways in which all individuals can become more serious rugby players.

field calls.pdf - Our on-field communications system.

backplays.pdf - A summary of our current back plays and calls.

forwardplay.pdf - A summary of our current forward plays and calls.

QRU figures.pdf - Diagram notes on ball carrier movement, pre-motion, vision and contact area.

Misc figures.pdf - Diagram notes on front row positioning and powerstep drill.

scrummage notes.pdf - Notes on scrummage fundamentals and principals.

PDF scrum.pdf - Australian scrummage fundamentals - Levels 1 - 3. Basic elements for scrummaging that we now use (broken down by position).



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Captains' Corner last updated October 25, 2009 14:19

2009 Smith Rugby Calendar
Go here for updated schedule information..

Rugby Facts you should know.

Practice Schedule - NOTE: CHANGES
at the rugby pitch
Wednesday: 4pm - 5:30pm

Player Reviews are listed here.

Deselection Information
To continue our work and clarification of the deselection conversation policy so that everyone understands how it is working... "Deselection" is when you move from the A-Side to the B-Side. That week, you are entitled to a short conversation with a coach or captain explaining "why?" before selections are read aloud at Thursday's practice. A-Side team includes alternates for the A-Side. For example, if you were selected as an A-Side alternate for the Yale match, and then are not selected as an A-Side alternate or starter for this week's Holy Cross match - then you are entitled to a conversation. This also means that moving from A-Side starting position to A-Side alternate position is not considered a deselection. A-Side is A-Side and B-Side is B-Side, and the alternates for each team are considered part of the Side. Lastly, if players are not in attendance during the week of practice that they are deselected, then there is a chance that they will not get a conversation. We will try to send them an email message, but lack of attendance will result in no obligation from the captains or coaches to have a deselection conversation.

Laws of the Game information
You can visit a new rugby laws page here and learn more about the laws of the game.

International & Professional Rugby matches
Open invitation to ruggers to visit the farm during the summer for dinner and international rugby on television. Just call/email ahead.

Smith Trainer and Medical links:
Information and links to the Impact Testing.



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Match Analysis last updated October 25, 2009 14:18

Smith A vs. Coast Guard A October 24, 2009

by Ben Murray
GAME SUMMARIES
Score: Smith 12 - Coast Guard 66
Tries: Romano, Sutton
Conversions: Chubb
Penalties:
Drop-Goals:

Players of the Match: Julie Wang & Emily 'Em' Lombardo

Outstandings:
Zaferiou set the standard for the rush defense by coming up quickly and making 90% of her tackles on contact. Alvarado presented consistent go forward with the ball in hand and made big tackles on the opposition. Velocci came up fearlessly to confront Coast Guard on their penalty plays. Wang was all over the field both making tackles and in providing support on offense. Lombardo disrupted and contested every ball in the scrum and had good distribution.

Overall:
The match we played was not terrible, but the lopsided score is a result of our continued to struggle to contain positions 10 - 13 on the field. Our scrummaging suffered in the first half which added to the pressure, but we pulled that back into order for the second half (with significant results). What hurt us the most was getting slashed by their #10 (who was a good runner, but not deserving of 7 tries), and our inability to create a second phase of play every time we actually had the ball.


Things to improve:
When creating the rush defense (10, 12 & 13 rushing up to shut down the time and space) we need to make our tackles. Often we came up quickly, but failed to put anything more than an arm on the opposition. Flankers and 8-man also need to support and with more coordination so that we are essentially doubled up on the #10 and #12.

We didn't cover their kicks very well. Anticipating a break in our defense, we crept up to play cover defense and left ourselves exposed in the backfield. This is a perfect example of not executing "Do Your Job" and trying to cover for the anticipated mistake of a teammate. In the end, we get burned. Be sure to stay back and cover the field as long as the kickers are in space and able to kick. Close the gap when they are in tackles and engaged with our defense - not before.

Offensive support was not timely. On virtually every first phase ball we broke the gain-line (which is pretty amazing!), but we squandered almost every opportunity by not entering the rucks until after Coast Guard swarmed with 1-3 players of their own. We need to realize when a team is a good counter-rucking team, and attack them viciously and with numbers in the contact area. Closer support of the ball carrier will help a lot as well.

Final Note:
As was said on the field, this game was discouraging because of the lopsided score, but impressive because our team refused to give up - even in the last 5 minutes. We continued to seek out points, and our tenacity was rewarded with a try. I know many other teams that would have given up and quit with such a damaging score.

While it is frustrating to be stopped in the quarter-finals for the third year in a row, we should also recognize that we have made it to the quarter-finals for three years in a row. Our play continues to get better, and most importantly, our rugby program is growing. Younger players keep joining our ranks and adding to the solid foundation of learning and development that makes Smith Rugby the force that it is. As a result we have greater depth and stronger protection from the enduring cycle of graduating our Seniors each year. It might not seem so now, but it is creating a very, very strong program that will soon be unstoppable. I am convinced of this.

Thank you everyone for such a good season. In particular I have the deepest respect and appreciation for those Club members who were not selected to the A-Side, but supported in numerous ways. You came out to support players in matches, helped out with video taping, took statistics, lugged water, and provided inspiration with your tireless hard work and enthusiasm. I'm also grateful to the injured players who still came out when they could to continue learning and support their teammates. Smith Rugby is special - not only for what we do on the pitch, but what we do off the pitch. You should all be proud.

Ben Murray (Head Coach)
4 Norman Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
(413) 625-9679
rugby@redgatefarm.org
You may call me between the hours of 6am and 11pm.