Hey you American, you're going to cheer for the Eagles right?!

By this point we have all seen the blog to not wear the fern at the USA v All Blacks game next Saturday. I agree with it, I think that stadium should be top to bottom red, white and blue. I also read the comment section and was bothered by how many people dislike the Eagles for this, that and the other. One comment really struck a cord with me, "I don't have a reason to cheer for the USA". That really grinds my gears, what does that even, 'you don't have a reason'!?! If you are like that person, here are 3 good reasons why you should be wearing a USA Kit come November 1st.

1. You're a red blooded, flag waving, star spangle banner loving American!
No, I hate to tell you this, you're not Irish, or Italian, or any other foreign nationality you claim to be. If you're mother birthed your beautiful mug in an America hospital you are 100% American. Bottom line. Embrace it, celebrate it for all the majestic bad assery it is.

"But, we aren't good at the rugbys."

Duh.

This isn't about winning, this is about backing something bigger than you, and creating something that could impact our sport FOREVER. We need to create hype my friend! That is something this sport desperately needs to be noticed in the American sporting conscious and there is no better way to do this then to make it look like the stadium is packed full of American loving rugby fans!

2. You have more in common with those Eagle's on the field than those All-Blacks.
A large portion of that team are still 9-5'ers, like you, they go away on weekend trips for their club team and miss birthdays, work, social events, just like you. They do not get thousands of dollars to play, a sporting good store worth of free kit, or any of the other perks that the All-Blacks collect every tour. Most likely you've played against some of the Eagles, recently, in our club season. How many New Zealanders can say that about the AB's? Which leads me to the next point...





3. The Upset
No, its not crazy talk, but an honest to god possibility. It is always a possibility, its why sports are the greatest form of reality television because sometimes it is better than any script. You can also call on the 1980 USA Hockey team as a great example. They were smoked by the Ruskies before that event, but then suddenly they came out like freedom loving Americans and got the W when it counted. Sure, the Soviets would have beaten us 9 out of 10 times but to be apart of that 1 magical game, as a player or fan, is why you should be rooting for the Eagles. Think about it, its the 79th minute and the USA is holding onto a very slim lead, the All-Blacks clearly aren't themselves ( a case of the flu possibly), or the combination of playing in a NFL stadium,  the cold lake Michigan wind and loud American crowd (We do beat every country in the 'ear drum bursting loud crowd' department). Then you hear it, the final whistle, and solider field erupts into pandemonium. You look around, all of your fellow Americans are celebrating like its NYE and then there is you, dressed in black. In the true spirit of rugby people will offer you their condolences "good game, the sun shines on the dog's ass every now and again, it was a fluke, it won't ever happen again in our lifetime*" and then you will have to look at the ground, jam your hands in your pockets, and awkwardly explain that you're an American rugby player and you've never been happier too, all while avoiding eye contact. Don't be that guy...

Most likely the eagles will lose this game, I know it, they know it and so do you. If this was a club game, fine root for the winner with the bigger and better roster but this isn't a club game. This is America and you are an American rugby player damnit! These are your brothers from the pitch and they need you to just bring it in Chicago!

How YOU can help the national team be successful

Let me start by saying this is not a fundraising plea, its much more important. This is about how you, as a coach, can have help the Eagles win. We all think we can do it, coach an international side, how hard can it really be? Truth be told we are part of the problem. We are just as responsible for these outcomes as the players and coaches on the field. Why? Because we are responsible for teaching players the fundamental skills of the game (passing/catching, tackling, rucking, decision making and communication). Bottom line we are the one tasked with developing these players at the grass roots level and we are failing them and our national side.

I've had the pleasure of working with high performance teams for a couple years now. I've also had the pleasure of talking, watching, and learning from foreign coaches who are closing in on their countries top spots. The one thing they agree on, and I'm starting to believe, is we as Americans look great in a rugby jersey but that is as close to an actual rugby player we get. We lack the fundamental skills needed for rugby. In my opinion, for what its worth, its starts with how we are taught in our sporting youth. Most of us only know one way to think, in X's and Os, and we are drilled until we can not screw it up (seriously, its been over a decade since I last played a down of football and I still can remember the proper footwork for a trap block). Our popular sports here are controlled by plays, plans, and diagrams. This hurts us in free flowing games like soccer, rugby and other international sports.

We as coach fail in two areas. The first being fundamentals, our players struggle with the basics. We must do a better job teaching the skills from the list above. We often let 'star' players get away with bad habits because of who they are. I'm telling you right now, I've seen it with my own two eyes, your star player will not cut it in any high performance camp. Everyone is a star there and what divides the have's from the have not's is the execution of the fundamentals. The second problem area works in conjunction with the first, overly complicated game plans. We spend too much time at training sessions trying to come up with the secret formula for the win. Recently, I overheard a team that had broken the field into FIVE sections, from sideline to sideline, to help with ID'ing of space for their attack. Could you imagine being fatigued and trying to determine if the half gap is in two or three? The problem here is we are sacrificing time that could be spent on skill development for things that hardly ever get used in the game because at the end of the day, if your covert double screen, switch, loop, wing crash attack play is going to work it all depends on your squads ability to pass and catch.

So what can we do to get better?  Well, for starters educate yourself with videos, articles, and knowledge from other coaches. Start to develop your own style by taking things you like, applying them and getting rid of the stuff you don't. Second, video tape one of your sessions. Focus the camera not on the actual players and the drills, but you. Watch how you speak to them (and for how long) also watch their reactions. Are you clearly telling them what part of the skill your working before their attention is lost? Finally, don't be afraid to learn and coach new things. Don't get stuck telling yourself "this is how I've done it and this is how I will keep doing it". Since the game has gone professional coaches have come up with all sorts of new skills and patterns. They have also started to borrow teaching techniques from the education systems that have really helped to impact and accelerate the learning curve of their players.

What do you think? Anything you want to add?

Good for the Game/Bad for the Game

Top 3 good and bad things that have happened recently in rugby.

Good for the Game:

1. All Blacks v USA: Finally a big (if not the biggest) rugby nation will be coming to American soil! Not only will this be a much needed money making opportunity for USA Rugby but it has potential to draw a lot off needed attention to the game here at home. They have selected the right venue (historic Soldier Field) and city (Chicago) for such a match to be hugely successful and I hope everyone will want to be a part of it.

2. Twitter: We've all seen the tweet between Salesi Maafu and Tom Young after their dust up. In a nut shell Young wished Maafu and his Northampton squad luck while joking about a punch he took from the Saints prop. Maafu responded with an apology and that he owed his friend a beer for his actions. While this same act has been repeated since the beginning of the game, between teams and players, never has it been put into the public spotlight where people outside the game could see the culture of the sport.

3. The USA Men's Summer Test: Not long ago we as rugby fans would be hard pressed to see our boys play matches within their home boarders. Even then it was against a fellow minnow or a larger nations 'B' team. But this summer boast three matches against World Cup qualified teams who will be bringing the full arsenal of their rosters. As always, the Houston test against Scotland will be a good time with several rugby events leading up to the match itself. Check the schedule here and get your tickets.

Bad for the Game:

1. Bryan Habana's Theatrical performance during the Heineken Cup Final: Come on Bryan! Referee Alian Rolland was right for telling you it wasn't the time or the place for that soccer nonsense. Clearly the South African wing has spent to much time in France as that can be the only reason to explain his softness and need to be dramatic during Europe's finest rugby match.

2. England's Selection Policy: I get it, I really do, you want to keep your talent at home. I can understand why southern hemisphere teams drop stars for going to the cash flooded northern hemisphere. They are thousand of miles away and aren't playing in the local (better) competition. But, the exclusion of Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage from the England squad is criminal. He plays his rugby in France which can literally be seen from England on a clear day. He also just picked up the award for the top European player this morning yet he is sitting at home for England's summer test series.

3. Jonny Wilkinson Retirement: This is more for sentimental reasons as Wilko is a helluva player that had nothing left to prove. I remember being a freshman in college and watching him hit that drop goal in the final that propelled him into super stardom. But, what impressed me more was the work ethic that went into that kick. A man can be judged by the work he does away from the eyes of the public and Jonny was the standard for that. He will no doubt leave a huge gap in the culture of our great sport.