Why you should use dice at your next session
A dice can create some decision-making moments, just like a match does. Here's how to use it in a game and how to use it for contact skills from former Gloucester Foundation Phase coach, Sam Colmer.
Just Iike the outcome of the game, the rolling of the dice is also unpredictable.
I have found that using a dice in a session brings another level of excitement and engagement from the players.
The dice is so adaptable and can be used to support all parts of the session, keeping the session interesting.
Its another tool in your kit bag to start some great conversations and group interactions.
How to use dice in a session
You can use the dice with the theme of the session to create jeopardy, drama and work on team work.
The dice can be used in many ways to support the session theme from setting challenges to supporting and stretching players. Remember the dice has six sides and you don’t have to just write numbers on it .
Asking your players to contribute to their session has a positive impact on building relationships. After all it’s their session.
Give the players a theme and let them come up with the ideas, they will love being involved, take a step back and let them be creative.
Giving players “roles” within your session when they can’t train is so important.
Asking them to be the “keeper ” of the dice allows them to be part of team discussions and adding their ideas. You can also ask them to roll the dice for setting their team in game challenges.
How to use a dice when coaching defense
I’ve used the dice to set random challenges and constraints in small sided games.
Conditioning the defence gives the attack certain pictures and creates problems to solve.
The defence dice could be rolled to randomly select:
How they defend X number of phases: for example players can only blitz 6 phases
Number of players down: a yellow card / red card scenario
Time: scenario is X minutes left in the game and you are X points up. For example there is 5 minutes left in the game and a team is 5 points ahead. This starts the conversation around how will you defend.
Only a specific number of players are only allowed to defend back field
Only a specific number of players allowed in the ruck
Only a specifc allowed to chat / share information
Only high numbers (9-15) allowed in the ruck
Set the amount of rips/tackles/turnover to win the game etc
There are some many options to have fun with.
You even can roll the dice to start conversations in the huddle or with individuals when giving hot feedback.
For example: Have different elements of defence on the 6 sides of the dice. Players discuss the defensive element that correspondes to the side the dice lands on.
If the dice lands on “Threats”, ask questions such as: ‘who/what is the opponent’s biggest threat and how will they defend it?’
How to use dice when coaching attack
Conditioning the attack gives teams certain pictures and creates problems to solve .
The attack dice could be rolled to randomly select scenarios that challenge the players to come up with the best strategy and give the defence problems to solve.
Time: scenario is X minutes left in the game and you are X points down: for example there is 5 minutes left in the game and a team is 5 points down. This starts the conversation around how will you attack.
Number of players down: a yellow card / red card scenario
Only push passes allowed. How would that change our support?
A minimum number of passes allowed before a team can score
Only a specific number of kicks allowed before a team can score
No rucks, keep the ball alive. How would you support the ball carrier?
This list of challenges/ constraints and conversations starters are endless
When giving ‘hot feedback’ in an attack session, try using the dice. Similar to the defence session. Have one element of attack on each side of the dice.
For example if “mismatches” is rolled, players can discuss if they’ve had any mismatches and how they could create some.
Rolling the dice creates random situations, which players and teams have to adapt to. It can also be used as a conversation starter.
Using dice to help with tackling and rucking
Remember the dice has six sides and you don’t have to just put numbers on the sides.
I use freeze frames in my skill zones. Asking players to freeze allows players and coaches to see a picture and the chance for players to peer to peer review and give constructive feedback.
To help support rucking, I would ask the players to write on the dice the keys factors/points of what good rucking technique looks like from both the attack and defence side of the picture.
I would then call a “freeze” a roll the dice to get them to focus on whatever the dice roll has chosen. This allows them to look at these certain area. You can ask the players to discuss peer to peer.
Here are some key areas of the ruck that could be written down on each side of the dice:
Arms
Body shape
Stance
Head
Footwork
Height
To help support tackling I would follow a similar process. Ask the players to write on the dice the keys factors/points of what good tackle technique looks like.
Having players write down their thoughts also gives the coach a good insight on what they understand.
You could use the dice when giving “hot feedback” to a player in a game. Take the player to oneside and ask the player to roll dice.
You could then have a conversation and ask questions on what it lands on. You could ask them want’s their super strength when making a tackle and why.
Here are some key areas of the tackle that could be written down on a dice:
Footwork
Body shape
Eyes
Arms
Head
Height
Why is using a dice helpful?
I really like how using a dice builds interactions and creates a buzz within the groups. It gives players more involvement which is the players centred approach I champion.
I love asking questions to players and collecting players thoughts. As well as using a dice, I’ve found the most useful tool in my kit for this within a session is a whiteboard.
I really enjoy giving players a theme and seeing them come up with ideas like setting rules, the mission and the levels in a small sized games.
It’s all about giving players more ownership of their session.
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