Don't be afraid to focus on the basics. Even players with years of rugby experience under their belt can benefit from focusing on basic rugby skills, such as passing, rucking, mauling and tackling. "I could happily have everyone on a team run lines five days a week for two hours a day for three months," says Dan Solomon, a certified coach with over 30 years of rugby experience. Basic passing drills, when all players are focusing on accurate passes, passing at pace, bursting on to the balls, and cycling the ball out for forward movement, are essential team skills and can do wonders for experienced and rookie players a like.

Tackling likewise should be stressed to both veteran and new players. "Most women come to rugby with little or no experience in a full contact sport, so tackling is important from a rugby standpoint, as well as safety," comments Chip Auscavitch, a certified coach who serves on the New England Rugby Football Union Board of Directors. Experienced players also should be tackling in practice on a regular basis to reinforce proper technique. Rookie players may also more quickly get over any tackling fears they may have when they see their experienced teammates tackling properly.

Engage your vets. In your efforts to teach new players the game, don't neglect your vets. Encourage experienced players to set a positive example for their new teammates, both by executing drills properly and b being available to answer any of the rookies' questions. Remind veterans that ALL players need to focus on the fundamentals and work hard in every drill. "We all need to work constantly on basic skills," says Solomon. "It's important to not waste too much time talking. Too keep people engage, never let them stand around."

Make sure your team progresses quickly-and as a unit. Even if your team is mostly comprised of brand-new players, don't spend ALL of your practice time only focusing on really basic skills. "Once you get by the 'this is a ball/ruck/maul' phase (which should happen pretty quickly), the best drills are those which keep everyone actively practicing those skills," comments Solomon. Auscavitch agrees: "In the beginning, I've found that the best way to learn basic skills is by repetition. However, you then want to incorporate these skills into more meaningful/realistic drills."

Try splitting rookies and vets into 2 groups. If numbers permit, don't be afraid to split up your rookies and vets for part of a practice. The rookies can focus on fundamental skills and the basics of the game, while veterans can work on strategy and more complex drills. "The ideal thing is to break your club into two groups: rookies and vets," says Auscavitch. "You have one coach working with the rookies and teaching them the basics. In the 'vet group,' you can work on veteran skills. As players in the rookie group get better, they can 'graduate' to the vet group."