If the opposition defence is grouped on one side of the pitch, there will be spaces on the other side. These spaces might be wide out, or between the defenders who have spread out further than normal to cover the space. This session works to get your players exploiting these spaces with accurate long passes.
If the opposition defence is grouped on one side of the pitch, there will be spaces on the other side. These spaces might be wide out, or between the defenders who have spread out further than normal to cover the space. This session works to get your players exploiting these spaces with accurate long passes.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 5-7
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-7
What to think about
Long passes are likely to be less accurate than short ones. A lack of accuracy may slow down the pace of the attack and possibly remove any advantage the attack had in the first place.
Players need to understand how far they can pass the ball accurately. Plus they need to know where to pass it, in terms of putting the ball into the path of possible receivers.
The player who is in the middle of a move to pass the ball wide should still be running straight to interest the defence. If he drifts with the pass and then passes as he drifts, he does little to hold the inside defenders.
The early part of this session can determine whether some of the players can use a normal lateral pass or a spin pass.
set-up
Pass the ball quickly and accurately whilst running straight.
Look for gaps and pass to the player running at a gap.
Work out your length of pass.
What you get your players to do
Split into groups of three. Put one player in each column (adjust the distances between the columns to suit the players’ passing skills). Run each group up the columns, passing one way. Then make them return, passing the other way.
Have the players run slowly at first, concentrating on passing accurately. Only increase the speed once the passing is good.
Players move up the channels passing from left to right. They should concentrate on passing for the receiver and keeping inside their channel.
Development
Split into a group of five attackers and three defenders. Put one attacker in each of the two narrow columns and three in the wide column. One defender pressurises the second ball carrier. The other two aim deliberately at two of the three other attackers. Start with the ball in the first narrow channel. The second ball carrier aims to hit the “free” attacker with his pass, so that the attacker can run through to score. Use touch tackling. Work both sides alternately.
Related Files
Advanced-200-handling-width.pdfPDF, 284 KB
The second ball carrier passes to the unmarked attacker. Each defender closes down the space of a predetermined attacker.
Game situation
Split into five attackers and three defenders. Mark out a “ruck” with cones at the side of the box and three scoring lines at the defenders’ end. Arrange the defenders as in the bottom picture. The attack has to score at the other end without being tackled. Don’t allow offloads or rucks and mauls. The attack scores more points for tries further from the “ruck”. The defence scores one point for legally preventing a try. After two attempts, swap the “ruck” over to the other side of the box for another two attempts.
From a “ruck”, 9 passes out to the attack. The attack scores more points for tries further away from the “ruck”.
What to call out
“Run straight but turn your shoulders and hips to pass the ball”
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...
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