Wednesday was the first evening where the girls, all 13 of those available, attended a video analysis training session designed to show on the big screen what on earth the coaches are trying to explain.
We had the pleasure of awarding Jannah play of the match for her sterling performance the previous weekend and congratulate all the girls for their efforts and spirit.
The first game analysis was the England ladies (current world champions) v Canada the runners up. The purpose of the session was to show our bright young stars what we are trying to achieve in the training drills. The second analysis was of the Premiership and European champions Saracens against Sale. (Nothing to do with the fact that a certain Mr Farrell plays for them.)
The coaches acknowledged that the girls sometimes looked at them in a manner which reminded the writer of his Latin lessons, “why on earth are we doing this?” Having a large screen to explain frame by frame why players had certain body angles, side stepped in a certain way, bulldozed in some occasions but not others, went a long way to show how we want our little Darts to play, not only successfully but in an enjoyable way.
To learn new skills such as selling a dummy or sidestep is important for all players in the same way as forwards knowing how to drive back their opponents. Pod work for forwards started to make sense.
It was a delight to see the enthusiasm shown by the girls and we look forward to seeing them on the training paddock soon. Teamwork, respect, discipline, sportsmanship, ENJOYMENT.

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