close
LOGINRugby Coach Weekly is the largest digital resource for youth coaches, trusted by 15,000+ coaches, teachers and parents every month.
-
Coach with confidence
-
Improve your teams faster
-
Run great sessions with less effort
- Expert coaching advice from TOP Coaches
- Training sessions for players from U6 to U17+.
The big step
If the ball carrier can be powerful in the contact area, then they can offload or maintain possession more effectively. Less experienced and younger players have a tendency to fall over or crumple unless they practise good body positions and use a good step into contact. This session concentrates on this footwork.
Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 20-25
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10
What to think about
- Are the players balanced and powerful at contact, or when making contact do they lose power and at times fall down?The players have to make sure their final step before contact is big and the lead foot is placed beyond the defender. This will make them more powerful and strong.
- Are players holding the ball in the lead shoulder?The ball can be vulnerable if held in the lead shoulder, therefore get the players to practise moving the ball from shoulder to shoulder, while on the run.
set-up
- Be purposeful in your movement forward.
- Use your shoulder, hip and thigh to make contact with the pad.
- At the contact point take a big step to make a firm base and keep you strong.
What you get your players to do
Split your squad into four defenders with contact shields, with the rest working as attackers. Position the defenders evenly on each side of the box. The attacking player has to make his way through the area taking a big step into each defender and knocking them back. The defenders can step towards the attacker as though moving into tackle.Development
- Add a support player who takes the pass after the defender is knocked out the way. This player takes it onto the next defender.
- Add more defenders and attackers so it becomes more like a game.
Related Files
Game situation
Split into six attackers and six defenders. The width of the pitch is 20 metres so there is little space to go through and plenty of contact. If you have contact shields use these to start. If not, condition tackling to be a grab, rather than a full-on tackle. By doing this, the players will be able to break through the defence and off load to supporting players. Tries have to be scored in the corners.
What to call out
- “Attack the defender”
- “The last step is a big step”
- “Feel the air being knocked out of the pad”
- “Step past the pad”
- “Be aggressive”
Dan Cottrell
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Colin Shaw
Gary Lee Heavner
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach
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.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
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.
