Rugby drills are the nuts and bolts of the game. Some people object to the word “drill” as it has been used negatively in the past to describe activities where players spend more time in lines than they do practising. But, they are a fundamental part of coaching. So whether you call them drills, activities, sessions, games… this is the most valuable section of the site for you.
The rugby drills in this section will help you coach your players in the core skills of the game. We’ll tell you what to look out for, how to get the ideas over to your players, and we’ll give you games and exercises to really power-up their skills.
Help your players manage the ball in contact and win the collision. 1 Set out a 3m square area. Put an attacker and defender facing each other on opposite sides of the area and a feeder on one side of the area. 2 When you say “go”, the feeder passes the ball to the […]
By Colin Ireland, Physical Education teacher with sixteen years’ experience working for the Scottish Rugby Union Creating space for other players by attracting and fixing defenders is a basic skill – but it’s not easy. Defenders want to chase the ball carrier and their mind is split 50/50 on whether to stay on him or […]
By Colin Ireland, Physical Education teacher with sixteen years’ experience working for the Scottish Rugby Union Each player at the set piece will have a role and responsibility to perform defensive duties – this includes the openside winger. From a lineout When the opposition has a lineout in your half, it’s less likely they will […]
I think it’s important to make sure your players are on board with using tackles in the warm up, so I’ve tended to set out my warm-up ideas before the season starts so the players can have some input. I’ve found, even with a contact element in the warm-up, some will go off and do some […]
You might hope not to have to get involved in refereeing, or “game coaching” as it is becoming known, or you might be dead keen to try. These days the objective is a free-flowing game, so the person with the whistle is more of a helper than a referee. Each side having a coach is […]
Chip kicks are the new attacking weapon on the block. Use them to cut through organised defences and score more tries. The more you can practise them in varied situations, the more confident your team will be to employ them under pressure in matches. Why use it Your team needs to be able to score […]
By Eamonn Hogan, experienced rugby coach working with representative teams in the UK and the US This activity works on catching your own high ball (such as a full back returning a kick). Set up Use three receivers, a ball and a kickchaser in every group and a wide area of the field to practise […]
ACTIVITY: TRACK THE ATTACKERS Tell players to: “Move together towards a target” “Tell other defenders which way to move” 1 Three attackers spread out along one of the long sides of the area and two defenders stand on the opposite side. The attackers pass a ball from side to side between themselves. 2 When […]
The attacking box kick is a much-used tactic at the top level so grassroots coaches should be looking to use it as a means of exerting pressure and gaining territory. Why use it A box kick can be used as a contestable attacking kick in the opposition half and even if they do gather it, […]
By Eamonn Hogan, experienced rugby coach working with representative teams in the UK and the US Agility, or the ability to avoid being tackled, needs to be practised. Game-related activities are always a great option but, sometimes, you need to break down the skill to the basics and the best way to do this is […]
