EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
In rugby, footwork and evasion skills are the “fine arts” – ways to run with the ball and beat players with skill, pace and panache. These articles include ways to coach players to have “rugby speed” not just pace, and evade contact with nifty “rugby footwork”. Try one of the footwork and evasion drills below at your next session and see how you get on.
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
Look at this great and more advanced version of a game we call Nevada Smith. Plus, have a look at Evasion Triangles as well, which could be a progression from this exercise. MORE
in Email Newsletters, Footwork and evasion
Quick footwork means more defenders beaten. Everyone can benefit from this, even your heaviest, slowest players! Even if they don’t slip past the tackle, they will still have more chance to dominate the contact situation and even offload the ball. MORE
in Email Newsletters, Footwork and evasion
Every player should aim to get faster, and not just the backs. That’s why it’s always a good time to work on your team’s speed. In-season you will be maintain their fitness levels and giving them small adjustments to their style. Out-of-season and pre-season, it’s a chance to work on form and technique. MORE
Improve your players’ timing onto the pass while helping them choose the correct running line under pressure at the same time with this simple activity. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
This session works on balance and reaction. Players enjoy the challenge of moving backward before racing forward with the ball or to tackle. There are lots of chances to use good communication and teamwork. ACTIVITY Three players run backwards in and out of the cones, before coming forward to receive a pass and attack two... MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
Use competition to make players try different evasion skills. This session has one race and one game to challenge players to command their own space then find new spaces. ACTIVITY Three face one way Two the other Players race to one of the cones in front of them and turn They aim to get through... MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
Use this rugby version of the popular arcade game to work on evasive skills, decision making and deception. By Josh Barlow, RDO for the Isle of Wight PacMen start where they want Ghosts start by the balls and pick one up on the call “GO” On “GO”, players can run along any line Ghosts chase... MORE
in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
I always maintain that passing should be for a reason - even if it is just because there is someone better placed to take the ball forward. This session works on quick passing under pressure with a passing option at the end. MORE
in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, U12+
Develop a chain of passes with players running different angles and coming from different depths to challenge defences. By Dan Cottrell ACTIVITY Call which colour cone to run around Three attackers run into the box A feeder waits by the side of the pitch The attackers run around the coloured cone and then readjust to... MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Mini tag, Rugby coaching, Rugby drills
Encourage players to move and support with this fun movement game. 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
