EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
It’s not always easy to get young players to embrace contact which is why we’ve spent so much time devising and testing contact drills that will help your players grow in confidence. Use them alongside our tackling drills to develop a team of players that are comfortable making and taking contact.
Being aggressive in the tackle and presenting the ball well creates quicker ball at the ruck. This session focuses on how your players take contact if they can’t avoid it. Winning the contest at the breakdown is a fundamental piece of your core unit skills. MORE
in Contact, Rugby coaching videos, Small-sided games
In this touch rugby game, which works well for up to 9 v 9, the players concentrate on good ball placement and then quick passing away from the tackle area. Also, notice how the coach intervenes quickly and effectively. MORE
in Contact, Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
The best players use footwork before the tackle. But if they have to go through close contact, they lean forward and drive through with short, powerful steps. Replicate these skills with these drills. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
Keep moving low, with the ball tucked away from the opposition, when under pressure in contact. It allows time for your support players to get to you, especially if you use the squeeze ball technique. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
Develop your players' presentation skills after the contact. Here, the player has to place the ball back effectively to their teammates after the contact. MORE
in Attack, Contact, Practice plans
To play a dynamic game, skills have to be executed accurately and effectively. This session focuses on getting the ball away from a contact situation while it is off the ground, and passing it to a receiver to lead the next attack. The key is to be quick and efficient. MORE
Isolated players are a hazard for teams with attacking ambition. You need to make sure any isolated player, particularly when faced with two defenders, is going to give you quick possession. “Up against it” develops the techniques and skills for ball carriers so they can keep possession until support can arrive and secure the ball. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
If your ball carrier goes to ground and can’t offload, ideally he should stretch his body lengthways to present the ball to his support. It puts distance between the ball and pilfering opponents… MORE
in Attack, Contact, Practice plans
Players love simple targets. Not just simple targets to achieve, but simple targets to understand like moving the ball from one end of a box to another. That’s why they will enjoy “blast”. It works on the ball carrier and his support making progress up the field whilst a defender attempts to prevent their progress. This expands into a match situation where the “blast” might be used. MORE
in Contact, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
The first support player at the ruck needs to decide whether to clear out a threat and, if so, which technique to use. Start by developing three key techniques, then put them into a game situation. MORE
