Win the contact collision with good footwork, good body positions and an extra player if necessary. The role of the support player can be crucial in “pushing” the ball carrier through a well-defended space and then securing the ball. The game works on the practicalities of working out how to position the support player to achieve this.
Win the contact collision with good footwork, good body positions and an extra player if necessary. The role of the support player can be crucial in “pushing” the ball carrier through a well-defended space and then securing the ball. The game works on the practicalities of working out how to position the support player to achieve this.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 8-10
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-7
What to think about
The ball carrier should always aim for the space between the defenders. Since the defenders are keen to prevent this, the ball carrier may end up driving straight into an opponent.
The closest support player has to decide on his best options. If he binds onto the back of the ball carrier and drives him through, he can become unbalanced himself. If he binds onto the ball, then he may lose power in the contact.
Ideally he will be right behind the ball carrier just before contact, so he is a good place to drive in, or move to either side to take an offload. However he could well be arriving from the side initially.
He therefore should not hurry in the last few steps, but get himself in position to make the maximum impact.
set-up
Ball carrier: aim to get beyond the defenders and present the ball quickly.
Support player: read the ball carrier’s movements and either drive him through or secure the ball quickly.
What you get your players to do
Line up two defenders with ruck pads across a three metre line, with another defender about 5m away to the side. Put a ball carrier 2m away from the pads and two support players 2m to one side of him. Make the ball carrier drive through the middle of the pad holders. The support players help the drive and then aim to secure the ball before the defender from behind the pads can get to the ball.
Adjust the distances and sides of the attack and defence to develop the session.
One way to drive through the contact is for the player to bind on the hip of the ball carrier.
Development
Set up two groups of three defenders, as in the bottom picture. The width between each pair of cones should be no more than 5m. Two groups of three attackers have to break through the first group of defenders, recycle the ball and attack the second. The defenders from the first group can help the defenders in the second.
Related Files
Advanced-193-drive-throughs.pdfPDF, 147 KB
A ball carrier drives through the gap in the pads. The support players secure the ball before being challenged by a third defender.
Game situation
Split your players into three teams of no more than six a side. Starting from the halfway line of a box, two teams play a game of one pass rugby, where the team in possession can only pass the ball once between each phase. If there is an infringement, the non-infringing side stay on and have possession from the point of the infringement and the infringing team swaps with another. All restarts are a pass from the ground, with the defence 3m away.
Six players drive through one group of defenders and then recycle the ball to drive through the next group.
Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is the assistant coach with University of Bristol Women's team and is a coach mentor for Broad Plain RFC mini and juniors section.
He was Head Coach of Swansea Schools U15 and has previously held coaching roles with the Young Ospreys Academy and as Assistant Coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup. He was director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. P...
Register now to get a free eBook worth £10
Get this brilliant ebook worth £10 for FREE when you register now
The fly half (10) has a controlling position to launch his team away from the opposition and into open spaces. He needs to be comfortable ...
Newsletter Sign Up
Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox
"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."
Subscribe Today
Since 2006, we’ve helped tens of thousands of coaches just like you build strong teams and deliver effective and inspiring training sessions, week-in, week-out.
Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach. ALL the support you need to become a great Youth Soccer coach: ✓ Proven, practical coaching advice
✓ Hundreds of ready-to-use drills and full-session practice plans
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.
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.
Part of Green Star Media Ltd. Company number: 3008779
We use cookies so we can provide you with the best online experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click on the banner to find out more.