Passing out of contact can devastate an opposition defence. The receiver can often get behind the defensive line and the ball is kept “clean”. This means that the momentum of continuity is not broken. This session works on your players keeping the ball alive by driving through the tackle, and then passing out of the tackle.
Warm up time: 7-10 Session time: 10-15 Development time: 10-15 Game time: 10-15 Warm down time: 7-10
What to think about
Players leaning too far forward whilst running.
This occurs when players don’t have the core strength to maintain a good body position. Reduce the amount of resistance until they can keep a good posture.
Players giving inaccurate passes.
This happens when players fall away from the pass because they are working so hard to keep moving forward. Emphasise that they need to control the pass with the wrists and fingers not their whole upper body.
During the game players stop driving their legs once they are caught.
You need to continually emphasise to players that when they take contact they need to drive hard with the legs.
Set-up
Drive your legs hard and fast to keep moving forwards.
Put your hands out to receive the pass, and then keep the ball away from your body to give a pass.
What you get your players to do
Players work in pairs taking turns to provide resistance. The resistance should allow the player to run but make them work hard.
The working player then has to run through two players, receiving and giving a pass, all the while with his partner providing resistance.
The runner keeps his hips forward and his body upright so he can control the pass.
Development
Vary the distance the player needs to pass. You can vary this from player to player depending on their ability.
Add a second set of passers, so after running through the first set, the resisting player lets go and the runner accelerates through the second set taking and giving a pass.
The working player takes and gives a pass as he runs through the gate.
Game situation
Set up a game of 4 v 4 in a box. The tacklers have to grab the ball carrier by the waist and hold on to make a tackle. Once held the ball carrier can drive forward for four paces before he has to pass. If he can’t pass to a supporting player or the pass goes to ground the ball is turned over.
If a ruck or maul develops it’s also a turn over. More than one tackler can go for the ball carrier.
The tackler can grab at waist height. The tackled player has to pass within four paces.
What to call out
“Keep your hips forward and stay on the balls of your feet.”
Don’t teach falling over. Teach the players to bounce themselves and therefore the ball off the ground and back into the game. It reduces the fear of falling by making the players embrace the ground as part of a skill for continuity. MORE
A good catch starts the whole movement for a better pass. It creates time on the ball, which means the ball carrier can pass more accurately and, if necessary, more quickly. Here’s a individual training idea you can encourage your players to use away from your sessions. MORE