Here’s my analysis of four different scrum half passes.
It’s often suggested that there is a correct ‘technical model’ for performing skills. I disagree that there can be a single technical model, however, I do believe in what I call ‘The Spine of Stability’ (GDD Coaching, 2020) and indeed ‘The Bandwidth of Variability’ (GDD Coaching 2020).
In this video, I compare the techniques used by Conor Murray, Gareth Davies, Ben Youngs and Rhys Webb. I’ve chosen them as they’re well established international 9’s and at this point have techniques that are consistent. Dupont of France is worthy of his own video.
Use these clips to inform your own coaching and share with your 9s to help them find improvements in their passing.
Remember that you don’t want to rebuild a pass completely. Look at the strengths and aim to develop those.
Also, discuss and agree what you want to achieve with your 9. The length of the pass shouldn’t compromise the speed. Also, the 9 and 10 need to consider which pass is best in which circumstances.
How often do you despair that your players can’t score when there’s an overlap? Why is it players drift out in attack and play into the hands of the drift defence? Here are my simple solutions. MORE
Use this activity to improve players’ ability to scan what’s in front of them. It will allow the players to develop their footwork options before contact or in open play.
All the targets are in front of the ball carrier, so they will need to go forward but still avoid the defender. MORE
"With the return to rugby, I’m really worried that my team (U13s) will have forgotten lots of things about rugby. In particular, I’m trying to work out when and how to introduce contact and tackling."
This question came from a coach in Gloucester and is typical of lots of concerns around this area of the game.
It is true that the players will have "forgotten" lots of skills.
Here's how I would approach this situation. On the next page are two tackling exercises to support training.
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Improve your players’ awareness of how to move together as a defensive line.
A defensive line needs to know who’s covering who and then double up if they can to make a tackle. MORE
Make sure your players use the right footwork to power through the contact area and then manipulate the ball so they can offload or present the ball cleanly.
Though power and aggression are important in the contact area, the ball carrier also needs to be technically accurate to ensure good continuity. MORE
Work on good setups and movement, jumping and organisation in your lineout pods with this dynamic activity. It should mix up roles of your players.
Let players try out different roles, even if it’s not perfect. That allows players to realise what works for all those involved in the lineout lift and jump. MORE