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
Use this activity to develop evasive movement before contact. The players start with a jump before accelerating, changing angles and then accelerating away again. Ideal as a warm up exercise. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Practice plans
An easy way to enhance footwork and reactions is to use six flag poles – which almost all rugby clubs have. Using the poles, these exercises simply change angles of running and force players to look ahead to see spaces and defenders, just as they would in a match situation. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills, Warm Ups
Use this activity to warm-up players' footwork and handling the ball skills. In particular, it develops avoiding obstacles without losing speed. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills, Warm Ups
Use this warm up exercise to develop quick reactions as well as awareness of your opponent's movements. You can use cones instead of ladders. MORE
in Email Newsletters, Footwork and evasion
Rugby is both a collision and an evasive sport. Defenders want to collide into attackers. Attackers want to evade defenders. That's why footwork is a core skill for rugby. Skipping through a few ladders might add some agility, but it's best to deal with actual, moving bodies. Sometimes it's just straight-line speed you need. Other times it's lateral or sideways movement. Often it's a bit of both. MORE
in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Practice plans
This basic footwork session will benefit players in all positions as they attack defenders in close or wide situations. They will have to see where to run and change angle sharply and at pace to adjust. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Warm Ups
Use this agility, handling and decision-making activity as a way of getting players thinking, moving and interacting. It comes from our Skills Conditioning and Fitness DVD. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills, Warm Ups
Use this simple warm-up as a way of getting players thinking, moving and interacting in short bursts of time. It comes from our Skills Conditioning and Fitness DVD. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Practice plans
Use “reaction squares” to get players moving into space with the ball in their hands. This is a fun activity and elements can be part of the warm-up to other sessions. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Practice plans
Give your players better footwork options before contact and in open play. The session forces the player to use footwork and scan what is in front of him. There is plenty of game-related activity so players can work out the best options. 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
