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.
in Contact, Rugby drills, U12+
Dominating the collision in attack will lead to better ball presentation and increase the of a clean and speedy recycle. Use this exercise to improve – it starts with a cone-flipping race. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
Young players are often wary when it comes to taking contact, either with the ground or when on their feet. Use these exercises to boost their contact confidence and ability to manoeuvre their body. MORE
in Contact, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Get your rucking players coming to the breakdown from different angles – replicating what happens in a match. And make sure they read the tackle situation to know how to protect or challenge for the ball. MORE
in Attack, Contact, Practice plans
A support player can “ride shotgun” on the ball carrier going into contact. In this 2 v 1 session make two players bind to drive the ball into one defender. The outcome should be go forward ball. If the ball carrier falls over, the other attacker can grab the ball or protect the tackled player. It should lead to fast ball. MORE
in Attack, Contact, Practice plans
Players love simple targets such as moving the ball from one end of a box to another. This session works on the ball carrier and his support making progress while a defender attempts to stop them. This expands into a game where “power ball” might be used. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
Make sure your players take off when they arrive at the tackle contest – they should “land” first and then drive up. This activity will reinforce the correct technique and put your team on the front foot. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
To help your team dominate the contact area, players need to be low and able to drive forward. Get your players to work in strong body positions by taking up the shapes of gorillas, and then driving through. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
No matter how a player is tackled, placing the ball back is a matter of timing. Once it’s placed, it’s fair game for the opposition – so keep active for longer in the first of our core series on winning the ruck. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
Good ball placement is non-negotiable. It reduces the risk of a turnover, allows the next players to clear threats quickly and enables the 9 to clear the ball fast. Use this activity to get it spot on. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
Good repetition builds good habits – so make a core skill a core part of your warm-up with this contact exercise. Players should concentrate on making their ball placement and clear-out skills accurate. MORE
Like other disciplines, rugby has a jargon of its own. Unless the meanings are explained they can be meaning-less. That's why I've explained them in plain, simple English and with large, clear illustrations in my manual Rugby Tactics Made Simple. But not only that, you'll learn how to coach the tactics with my tips. If you’re new to coaching or prefer a more simple style this is a great, straightforward introduction to rugby tactics. "It highlights the key fundamentals of all aspects of play & gives coaches a good understanding of terminology and techniques at the highest level" - Richard Whiffin, assistant coach at London Irish MORE
Anxious about coaching rugby to children? Maybe you're already coaching, but sometimes struggling to get your points across at training? Perhaps you sometimes simply run out of preparation time? Possibly you're feeling your sessions are getting dull? Do you want a few new skills to boost your player's skills now? Or to help your players develop the techniques for seasons ahead? Maybe even the core skills for their whole rugby playing career? Here's the answer... MORE
Ready-made, age-appropriate, safe training activities, to provide a complete rugby coaching curriculum for players from ages 11 - 16. MORE
