Hard and fast miss pass

WHY USE IT

By scanning the line, and hitting the ball at an angle towards a space, the ball carrier is going to be almost impossible to stop.

set up

In a 20m square, four attackers face four ruck pads or tackle tubes, ready to take a pass from a feeder.

HOW TO PLAY

The feeder passes and the attackers move forward. The first receiver throws a hard, flat miss pass to the third attacker. This is done from right in front of the four upright tackle pads, and all four attackers are moving forward at pace. The receiver has to ensure they hit the ball at full pace, and at an angle that will take them between two of the tackle pads (see top illustration). This can be developed with the pass being made from attacker two to four (see middle illustration) or using a block (screen) pass from player two to four (see bottom illustration).

COACHING POINTS

• The passer engages the defender in front of them, before turning their hips and passing hard across to the intended receiver.
• The receiver should step late onto the pass and be running at an angle.
• Don’t spread out too far.

• Put four obstacles (ruck pads, poles, cones or tubes) in front of the attackers
• A feeder passes to the first attacker
• The first attacker passes to the third attacker, who has stepped either in or out 
• The pass is flat and hard
• The non-receivers aim to support the break

• Develop by having the second and fourth attackers making and receiving the pass
• The first attacker needs to pass back and not flat to allow the second attacker time to take the ball up to the defence before passing

• Develop by using a hard and flat block pass behind the third attacker
• The missed player must engage but not make contact with the defender