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.
In the third part of a session, after a warm-up game and then a skill drill, introduce a skill game. The game is still focused on the objective. It gives the players a chance to explore the skill in the context of the game and see why it is relevant. MORE
In Lockdown planning: Quick ruck ball sessions, we focused on applying pressure on the defence. Now, let's plan for the other side of the ball. France's defence coach, Shaun Edwards says that it is his main metric for success: slowing down ruck possession. To enhance learning, you are better off focusing on an “arc” of learning for a specific area. This means spreading out the training over a number of weeks, rather than dedicating one session to this. MORE
Get players to attack defenders in close or wide situations. They will have to see where to run and change angle sharply at pace to adjust. Players need the confidence to change angles, especially those players who are not used to sprinting and conditioning. MORE
Develop the skills to cover an attack which might be outflanking your defence. This activity works on the choices to come forward or track back. If your team is in danger of being outflanked in attack, what do they do? In many cases, teams sacrifice territory by scrambling backwards across the field allowing them to... MORE
One of the most difficult things to teach a group of players is their ability to change from a defensive mindset to an attacking one effectively. Here is an activity that does just that. Make the players think that they need to defend as an organised unit and then be able to attack at pace when the ball is turned over. It’s not going to be easy. MORE
Make a negative into a positive. For example, "I need to see everyone's eyes on me" is better than "Some of us aren't paying attention". Immediately we are focusing on doing something well. We are avoiding "not", "don't" and "stop". Instead, we are firmly stating where we want to go. That's why I'm thinking forward to 2021. Framing it positively, I'm looking to do more good actions. I'm not looking back on went wrong, why it went wrong and stopping myself doing what went wrong. MORE