Sir Ian McGeechan

Sir Ian McGeechan

If any one individual were to symbolise smarter rugby, British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan would be that man.

His relentless drive to mentally and physically outwit opposition all over the world throughout the past four decades has lead to Sir Ian being regarded as one of the finest operators in rugby history.

Sir Ian played at the highest level for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions, whilst teaching Geography at Fir Tree Middle school and holding down a place in the Headingley 1st XV for 15 years. The commitment Sir Ian showed to Headingley was rewarded with a coaching position after a knee injury put an end to his fruitful playing career. This was a natural progression for his analytical rugby brain and the move he made into coaching seemed to be a very natural one.

Sir Ian’s greatest successes on paper have seen him conquer the South African national side with the Lions both as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1997. More recently the state of international rugby was lifted again in South Africa, as his innovative coaching style created what can only be described as absolutely mesmerising moments on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour.

 

Sir Ian McGeechan Factfile

 

Current Coaching Position:

Performance Director, Bath Rugby

 

Former Coaching Positions:

Director of Rugby, London Wasps

Director of Rugby, Northampton

 

International Coaching Honours:

Scotland - 1988-1993, 1999-2003

British & Irish Lions - 1989, 1993, 1997, 2005 (midweek side), 2009

 

Former Playing Position:

Fly-half / Outside Centre

 

Former Playing Club:

Headingly

 

International Playing Honours:

Scotland - 32 Caps

British & Irish Lions - 8 Caps

Comments

  • Arthur Dempsey:

    Ian I have been watching your coaching and showing them to my first years in a private school here in ireland. As I'm not a young fellow anymore, I admired you as a center when you were playing for Scoland and like myself the old knees were a problem. Keep up the good work as i keep myself fit by cycling probably about 100/150 miles a week as cycling is a low impact sport. I have also taken up coaching that's why I found your videos very helpful for myself and the pupils. Regards Arthur Dempaey

    Nov. 05, 2010

  • Mark Snow:

    Some excellent clips and Ian has a very clear way of explaining key points. Just three comments on getting the players to enter the tackle zone (gate) correctly and clean out. It is important for safety players cleaning out have eyes up (chin off chest) focusing on contact area. This avoids flexion of the neck. Also, if you clean the defensive player out too far the ball becomes free. Preference is win the space past the ball by cleaning out the threats and then hold so the ball is just behind you. Would have been good if you had the drill parallel to the pitch but not a biggee. Great initiative ASICS.

    Mar. 15, 2010

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Sir Ian McGeechan and ASICS have created a series of Rugby skills videos. Using Sir Ian’s three concepts of contact, space and support viewers will improve their own performance.

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