08/23/2024
BOOK REVIEW
Name of the book: Notes From And About Coaching College Rugby
Author: William Laughlin Vetter
Genre: Decidedly Non-fiction
Where to buy: Amazon
Yep, a book about and for coaching rugby, written by a longtime friend and colleague who was known for paying attention. Before his retirement Loc Vetter was a successful Orthopedic Surgeon with a rugby problem. Some would say a serious rugby problem where his addiction for rugby took root in his generosity. During the renaissance of American collegiate rugby in the late 1960’s the author played for legendary UCLA rugby coach Dennis Storer OBE. Loc’s rugby dependency likely traces to this heady beginning.
During his lengthy coaching career Loc’s teams could be characterized as prepared. They most definitely had their way of doing things. They competed with a certainty in their technical approach. As the coaches who are reading this review know, teams that play with technical certainty possess a higher level of physical commitment. Loc’s teams were seldom of two minds caught in indecision. They knew how they were to do things and why.
The book itself is a series of mini chapters on his lessons learned and his beliefs as a coach. Loc refers to these lessons as catchphrases and tidbits. However, in my view, this description undervalues his lessons in two unique ways. Firstly, Dr. Vetter has written his coaching manual, something most coaches fail to do. The majority of rugby coaches in particular use the authority of the position and whistle to skip over this vital step. Secondarily, in Notes From And About Coaching College Rugby, he offers his glossary. The power of an organizational glossary cannot be overstated. One where words and phrases have definitions of what is meant…and not.
Notes From And About Coaching College Rugby breaks little new ground. The author’s intention isn’t to dazzle the reader with innovative concepts. Instead the book bravely attempts to codify, for the benefit of others, the lessons learned in a lifetime at the coal face of university coaching.
A generous addiction indeed.
