Develop passing techniques before unleashing an attacking and defence situation. A quick-fire game to challenge players to think about space and communication (it happens sometimes!)
ACTIVITY
A group of three face one way
A group of two face the other
The ball is passed along the line every time you say “Pass”
When it gets to the end player, the players turn around and repeat back the other way
If you shout Fizz or Buzz instead of Pass, the ball carrier and team mate(s) run forward
In the meantime, the other players run forward too
If you’ve called Fizz, the ball carrier turns and attacks, with the option to pass
If you’ve called Buzz, when the ball carrier turns, they must pass immediately
CHALLENGE
React to the situation and try to use team mates to win. Note, the uneven teams will cause challenges you don’t expect.
SET UP
Cones, tags and a ball.
HOW TO DO IT
Put three players facing one way and two the other in an alternate pattern, but in a line.
Starting with a ball at one end, the player with the ball passes on your call: Pass. Naturally, they will have to pass the ball backwards a little bit.
If you shout the word “Fizz” or “Buzz”, the current ball carrier and team mates race forward and then turn and attack. In the meantime, the other players run to the other end, turning to defend.
A “Fizz” call means that the attacking player doesn’t need to pass, and run to score. Of course, they can pass if they want to.
A “Buzz” call means the attacking player must pass once they have turned.
A score, infringement or tag ends that go. However, if the ball carrier is tagged and can pass within two seconds, then play on.
Play for three goes, and then rotate one from the group of three to the group of two.
Use this power pass exercise to work on both passing and passing out of the contact. The variability of how the attacker is held back increases the learning outcomes as players face new passing challenges. MORE
Mauling is a powerful weapon and you don’t have to be a big side to use it. A great tactic is to set up a maul from the back of a ruck to create go-forward and tie in their defenders. MORE
I’ve been talking tackling to plenty of coaches in the last few weeks. That’s not unusual. Therefore, I wanted to share with you one of my favourite tackling “drills”: High pressure tackling reactions. I say drill because it’s a 1 v 1 exercise. MORE
The ball carrier uses a strong fend to create space and time to pass the ball to their supporting player while the defender aims to disrupt. They then turn the corner and repeat MORE