EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
This is a decision-making exercise I used with Ospreys U16s. To be successful, the attack must scan the defence and then adjust their pace and depth. Using the “disco” effect (different coloured cones replicating the different coloured lights) you can determine the shape of the defence, forcing the attack to take quick and effective passing and running options. It also works defenders, who have to reconnect after being pushed out of position.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-8
The first receiver often takes off too quickly, leaving his fellow attackers behind. The attacking line must judge the depth they take from one another and then ensure they move together.
The way you set out the coloured cone trails for defenders will determine how and where defenders enter the box.
It can be tailored to manufacture gaps or types of defensive line that attackers have to quickly adjust to and communicate from the outside in order to exploit. You can easily play around with the alignment of these cones and the distance away from the attackers to adjust the pressure put on the attacking line.
Put two attackers and a defender in the middle of a 5m box, back to back. Shout out a letter and then the defender runs to that lettered cone. In the meantime, the attackers run to the corners of the box and turn for a 2v1 (see picture 1).
Use touch tackling. Swap one attacker with the defender after each attempt.
A defender running to a designated cone while the two attackers run to a corner. They turn for a 2v1 (touch tackling) and have to score between cones A and C.
Don’t shout which letter for the defender to run to. Use a feeder who passes in the ball once the attackers have turned (different types of feed, such as high pass, bounced ball, etc).
Defenders line up behind a set of cones and the attackers face away from the defenders.
Face four attackers away from a three-man defence. Put the defenders at the ends of the lines of cones (the “disco” lines) (see picture 2). Shout (or indicate) which colour cones the defenders will run down (in this case white) and release the attack and defence.
The attackers run forward to the line at the back of the box and then turn and attack, being fed the ball from a feeder at the side. Use touch tackling (see picture 3).
The attackers run back to their own try line and turn, while the defenders run down the ”disco” line (different-colured cones) to defend (touch tackling).
in Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Ged Hall challenges players to be effective in finding space and passing, either on their feet or from the ground (the deck!). Good for fitness as well as decision-making. Deck hands is seemingly a very simple game to play, but beneath its simple exterior is a game that challenges players physically, mentally, tactically and technically. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Keep the players thinking about where to attack as the defence move around dynamically, adding in players as the attack becomes more successful. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills
Attackers need to identify when a blindside is ripe to attack. They do that as they move into position. Test if they can call it and then execute it. MORE
in Backs moves, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
In Hard and Fast with the Miss Pass, we set up a “miss pass” training session. The miss pass is a long pass which skips one player, with the missed player drawing a defender in the process. MORE
