Support the ball carrier

U7 MINI-TAG | ATTACKING 4

ACTIVITY: STOP AND PASS

Put three players on the start line standing about 3m apart. Place a cone in front of each player – one at 5m, one at 10m and one at 15m.
Have the first player run out with a ball. When he reaches the cone in front of him, he stops as if he’s been tagged and passes the ball to the next player, who is running slightly behind him.
The next player runs forward to the cone in front of him and repeats with the last player who runs to the cone in front of him and then on to the end of the area.
Other groups of three can follow up behind. When all the players have reached the end of the area, they can turn and repeat the activity running back the other way.
Develop by having the first two players run around to take a pass from the last player (after they have completed their own passes).

What you say

“Get behind the ball carrier”

“Call the name of the ball carrier”

How many players do I need

Three players take part each time. With up to 12 players, have them wait their turn in groups of three. If you have more players, set up two games.

You will need

1 ball
7 cones

Share this: Share

Counter attack Ts and Cs

in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games

Improve your players’ understanding of their roles to make sure you can retrieve kicks and attack space when in possession. Play with your Terms and Conditions, not the kicking teams’. When a team kicks into space, the defending team needs to communicate and fan out so it can run back at spaces. MORE

Change your 2 v 1 expectations for young players

in Attack, Rugby drills

The classic 2 v 1 exercise doesn’t work well with young players. Don’t give up on it though. Try out these ideas to work on this crucial decision-making area of the game. A 2 v 1 exercise has the ball carrier fixing the defender before passing to a support player. However, for young players, this doesn’t work well. MORE

Change lines: unders and overs

in Attack, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills

Create a numerical advantage when defensive numbers are equal to the attack. Rather than looking for space, use "unders" and "overs" play to isolate the defender and creating a numerical advantage that originally did not exist. MORE

Support with depth

in Attack, Rugby drills

Encourage support players to keep their depth and width, and get onto the end of a pass from the ball carrier either pre or post contact/tackle. If support players can learn the body language and intentions of their teammates, they can anticipate the best lines to take. MORE

Supporting the break

in Attack, Return to play, Rugby drills

Develop how the support player tracks the ball carrier so he can be ready to take a pass or help the ball carrier should he be tackled. Reading the movements of the ball carrier means the support player can find themselves in the best positions to receive the next pass. MORE

Core skills for 3 v 2s