close
LOGINRugby Coach Weekly is the largest digital resource for youth coaches, trusted by 15,000+ coaches, teachers and parents every month.
-
Coach with confidence
-
Improve your teams faster
-
Run great sessions with less effort
- Expert coaching advice from TOP Coaches
- Training sessions for players from U6 to U17+.
Blast
Players love simple targets. Not just simple targets to achieve, but simple targets to understand like moving the ball from one end of a box to another. That’s why they will enjoy “blast”. It works on the ball carrier and his support making progress up the field whilst a defender attempts to prevent their progress. This expands into a match situation where the “blast” might be used.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 8-10
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7
What to think about
Although we encourage players to avoid defenders, sometimes too much fancy footwork can make the ball carrier unstable. “Blast”, however, works on sheer brute go forward. A slight step to the side is good, but that’s it. In this exercise, the ball carrier is not looking to pass. He needs to have the confidence to take on his man. Though the ball carrier should be keeping the ball away from contact, he should not turn his body too much on impact. Otherwise he will be “driving” to the sides and not forwards.set-up
- Take on the defender by driving hard at his edges.
- Keep the ball away from the defender.
- Aim to win the collision contest before deciding how to use the ball.
- Once the ball is blasted through, exploit the space.
What you get your players to do
Put two attackers at one end of the channel (a ball carrier and support player), and a defender at the other end. Have the ball carrier aim to make as much ground through the channel before being tackled or driven out. The support player can help drive the ball carrier forwards. Note how far the ball carrier travels and award points. Swap players around.Development
Set up three lettered “blast boxes” as in the middle picture. Put five attackers across the boxes and two defenders at the other end, with two more defenders at the far corners. Shout out which box the attack has to advance through. One of the attackers takes the ball into the box and is not allowed to pass. If he does not make it to the far end, then the ball is recycled and can be played from that ruck. Once the attackers are through the box, the two furthest defenders can move forward to join in. Play normal rugby.Related Files
Game situation
Split into teams of five. Put two teams in the square, about 2m apart. Pass the ball to one of the teams. The ball carrier is not allowed to pass but has to drive forward. After he has made contact, then play normal rugby.
What to call out
- “Short steps in contact to keep balance”
- “Don’t dance before contact, keep going forwards”
- “Face forwards to help drive forwards”
Dan Cottrell
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Colin Shaw
Gary Lee Heavner
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
