Simple handling activities (drills and games) to develop better passers

Efficient ball transfer seems so simple, yet our players often struggle to do it accurately.

Good passers:

• Create more attacking opportunities.
• Allow team mates to run onto the ball.
• Keep defences disorganised as the ball moves from player to player.

Your training needs to be a mix of knowledge and application. While most training sessions will have a ball and therefore some handling, here are a range of activities and games that you can use to specifically target passing.

My top tip?

Does every player have their own ball at home? And, if so, they should bring it to training and take it home with afterwards. It’s amazing how they come to love that ball and play with it when they don’t realise.

4-3-2 passing with a purpose

in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills

I always maintain that passing should be for a reason - even if it is just because there is someone better placed to take the ball forward. This session works on quick passing under pressure with a passing option at the end. MORE

Hot river passing

in Footwork and evasion, Mini tag, Rugby coaching, Rugby drills

Encourage players to move and support with this fun movement game. MORE

Passing session builder

in Attack, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, U10+

In the passing session builder we work in threes, increasing the movement of the players until they are passing under pressure in game-like situations. MORE

Rugby coaching tips for passing skills

in Passing & Handling

Games to develop rugby passing skills, particularly when unbalanced. MORE

Rugby coaching drills for simple lateral passes

in Passing & Handling

You don’t need to come up with complicated drills for a simple lateral pass. Here are two easy practices where you and your players can concentrate on the fundamentals. MORE

Rugby drill to coach simple loops

in Attack

Loops are a great way to create an "extra" man in attack. Here's a rugby drill session to help you coach the technique. MORE