EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
A dynamic game that combines decision-making, evasion, handling and calling with the ultimate aim of dividing the defence and scoring a try from an overload situation.
A 25m square with a tackle tube lying down in the middle. Three players at ends A and B to form two teams. Two players – one with a ball – run around the tube.
Three more players await their turn (picture 1).
On your call of “Go!”, the ball carrier tries to touch the other player in the middle with the ball.
On your call of A or B, the ball carrier stops chasing and throws an accurate pass to the team of three at that end. He then joins that team in attack (picture 2).
The other tube runner acts as a defender and the attack nominates a player from the other team to join him so it becomes a 4v2 (picture 3).
The attack has two phases or five seconds to score so must make good decisions and exploit the overload. After a try or failed attempt, the two players not used become the two players chasing round the bag.
The attack either scores a try or doesn’t. Give each attack three attempts to find out your best team of three. They cannot pick the same defender more than once.
“Quick and accurate passing to a player in space.”
“Read the defender, get out of his way then pass.”
One way to put players under pressure is to give them an opponent to focus on while also ensuring that they listen to another person communicating with them.
in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
How often do you despair that your players can’t score when there’s an overlap? Why is it players drift out in attack and play into the hands of the drift defence? Here are my simple solutions. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
Use this activity to improve players’ ability to scan what’s in front of them. It will allow the players to develop their footwork options before contact or in open play. All the targets are in front of the ball carrier, so they will need to go forward but still avoid the defender. MORE
I've been fortunate enough to have Eddie Jones deliver some sessions. This is the game he started with and it is excellent for reinforcing key messages around core skills or principles of play. MORE
in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Introduce players of mixed ability to contact by building up the skills through games and questioning. I’ve found that using this progression of activity, the players develop contact skills together. You can adjust the pitch sizes and timings to suit your players. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills
Nic Dolly, from Build U Fitness, gives us a bodyweight leg workout that your players can do at home, which will help strength and endurance. HOW TO TRAIN One set is: one jump squat, one jump lunge left, one right. Complete 100 of this set of exercises and record the time. See if you... MORE
Use this unusual pitch set up to pose problems for your players to solve. As they work out ways to score they will begin to use handling and support to create width on their game. MORE
