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Basketball has the same athletic ability, speed, agility and explosive jumping power you desire in your rugby players. The agility, the catch and pass, the deftness and variety of passes in populated, restricted areas are all skills that could benefit rugby players.
For the basketball chest pass, off the ground and out of contact, plus catching the ball in the air, think lineout, kick off and general play. Also consider skills such as spinning away from defenders and running off the ball.
One simple skill basketball players excel in is reaching for the ball and then protecting it. Reaching for the ball allows a fast and hard pass to be shock absorbed, leading to less likelihood of it being dropped.
Basketball players hold the ball in two hands, close to, but off their chest, with the elbows out. This gives some protection from defenders trying to steal the ball, but also enables the ball carrier to make and execute instant decisions, whether to run (dribble) or pass the ball.
One key component for a successful basketball player, is the need for intelligent footwork in attack and defence. Basketball teams work on their footwork all the time.
In attack, the players are expert at keeping the body between the defender and the ball, and lowering their shoulder as they go past a defender. Spinning away from a potential contact or stealing the ball also require explosiveness and balance to stay in control.
In defence, players use their feet and body angle to channel attackers away from the basket and into areas hard to score from.
In rugby terms, this could be used in defensive situations where the ball carrier can be steered towards the touchline and away from their own support.
If you can get to a basketball court and play, then it makes a great alternative session.
However, you can still replicate some basketball ideas in your normal training. You can play touch rugby with a football/soccer ball. Or you can allow forward passes but no running with the ball.
Some basketball coaches get their players to improve handling by carrying one ball under one arm, and then catching and passing with the spare arm.
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