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.
“The supporting player starts in front of the ball carrier, while the defender has his back to the attack. When you shout play, with the supporting player walking forward and the defender out of position, the players will have to think quickly to come up with winning solutions.” MORE
Change your try lines so they extend up the edges of the pitch to create a new sort of challenge for the players. The initial outcomes may seem strange, yet you may find the longer-term benefits help your team’s go forward. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
A ball carrier races into the channel and then turns to beat a chasing defender to the end of the channel MORE
in Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Lines of three players pass the ball quickly to the end player who races to a line in front of them to be the winner of the groups. MORE
Create a fatiguing decision-making exercise for your players. In this 4 v 2 game, the players have 90 seconds to score as many tries as possible but can choose which line to attack each time. MORE
in Contact, Defence, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Two players wrestle with the ball until they go over one of the lines. Then it’s battle to win the ball on the ground. MORE
