Angle busters
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
If a player can attack the ball at an angle the defence is not expecting, there’s a better chance of breaking the defensive line. Here’s how it works and how to practise it. MORE
Offline passing
in Footwork and evasion, Passing & Handling
Push the ball carrier to change his angles of running and your support runners to react so defences are not faced with easy patterns to defend. This session works on “off-the-cuff” movements of players, so tests their recognition of space and reactions to their own team mates. MORE
Prison break
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games, Warm Ups
A fun game to help work on defensive footwork as well as evasion skills from attackers. Develops evasion skills, plus defensive footwork and communication. MORE
Banish the drift attack
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
Scoring corners
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
Catch me if you can
in Footwork and evasion, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Play a game of six versus six and give the attacking team two balls. Strategically the attack should split themselves into two groups as should the defence, the decision making and spatial awareness will become apparent as the game develops. Once a try is scored everyone focuses on the remaining ball. Start with touch rugby before developing into full contact. MORE
Home fitness workouts: Bodyweight leg
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
Attack the space, attack the edges, attack at pace
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
Encourage your ball carriers to run at pace, looking to avoid contact by anticipating where the spaces are. This is a scanning exercise for just the ball carrier. They will make mistakes, yet start to become attuned to looking for gaps. MORE
Step zone
Develop the players’ ability to make extra yards by moving to the side of their opponent, while still moving forward. A player who’s moving forward is harder to stop than one who’s moving sideways. Develop a step that’s both forward and sideways. MORE
In the corner
in Attack, Footwork and evasion, Practice plans
Some players have the natural ability to beat a player one-on-one, but don’t know when to use it or have lost their confidence. Others need the skill to be developed. Even if the player cannot get past his opponent by using this skill, he should at least get beyond the defender and create “go forward” ball. MORE
