The second receiver from a ruck or set piece needs to act as a ballcarrying option or a support player for close contact in the 10 channel. The 12 (inside centre) is the most likely player for this. This session works on key options so they become second nature.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

Jargon reminder Unders: A running line towards the passer of the ball. Overs: A running line away from the passer of the ball. Switch/scissors/cut: Take a pass behind the original ball carrier, running towards him. Wrap: After the switch, arcing out and away to beat the cover defence. All these plays are “feel” moves, where the receiver needs to think about the passer’s running lines and where the opposition are standing. Lots of repetition will aid player understanding and feel.

set-up

1. Wait for the play to be called (either a run off the back of the ruck/scrum) or the ball being released to the backs.
2. Get flat for a play that runs straight from the back of the ruck/set piece, adjust depth and width for the pass.
3. Communicate early with the first receiver and run once the ball has been passed from the ruck.
4. Attack with purpose, expect the ball, and accelerate through the pass.

What you get your players to do

Unders/overs (see picture 1) Call “unders” or “overs”. The 12 stands on the appropriate cone. Get a first receiver to take a pass and run forward. At the same time, the 12 runs at a gate of cones and then cuts in or out, taking the pass from the first receiver. Add ruck pad holders as defenders as a development. Switch/wrap (see picture 2) 12 stands on a cone and then runs at a gate of cones before receiving a pass from the first receiver on the switch. Depending on the position of some advancing ruck pad holders, he changes his angle of run once he has received the ball. (The gate forces greater accuracy and timing of runs by both passer and receiver). First supporter (see picture 3) A forward runs from a ruck pad on the ground, with another forward supporting on his inside. He runs at a set of ruck pad holders. When he makes contact, he goes to ground. 12 and the other forward clear out the ruck pads and the ball is swept away for 10. Develop by the ball carrier popping to 12 and supporting as well or offloading through the pads.