Taking a pass close to the defensive line needs the receiver to step away from the contact, and quickly. If they have a supporting player behind them, they can also step and pass into the space they left behind. Use this exercise to develop the footwork, handling and support skills needed.
A feeder passes the ball to a receiver as they enter a box. The receiver should aim to enter with their hips facing up the pitch.
As soon as the receiver takes the pass, a pad holder comes forward.
The receiver needs to step inside or outside the pad holder.
Develop by adding a supporting player. The receiver now pops up to the support player if the pad holder moves with them, or go for the gap if not.
Keep swapping the sides that the ball comes in from.
Take away the cones, but still encourage square hips.
Also, start the receiver in different places, though always encourage a square position (that is facing up the pitch) when receiving the ball.
In Lockdown planning: Quick ruck ball sessions, we focused on applying pressure on the defence. Now, let's plan for the other side of the ball. France's defence coach, Shaun Edwards says that it is his main metric for success: slowing down ruck possession. To enhance learning, you are better off focusing on an “arc” of learning for a specific area. This means spreading out the training over a number of weeks, rather than dedicating one session to this. MORE
Here's my analysis of four different scrum half passes. Each one has their own style and is effective in its own way. Use these clips to inform your own coaching and share with your 9s to help them find improvements in their passing. MORE
Get players to attack defenders in close or wide situations. They will have to see where to run and change angle sharply at pace to adjust. Players need the confidence to change angles, especially those players who are not used to sprinting and conditioning. MORE
Develop the skills to cover an attack which might be outflanking your defence. This activity works on the choices to come forward or track back. If your team is in danger of being outflanked in attack, what do they do? In many cases, teams sacrifice territory by scrambling backwards across the field allowing them to... MORE
One of the most difficult things to teach a group of players is their ability to change from a defensive mindset to an attacking one effectively. Here is an activity that does just that. Make the players think that they need to defend as an organised unit and then be able to attack at pace when the ball is turned over. It’s not going to be easy. MORE
Make a negative into a positive. For example, "I need to see everyone's eyes on me" is better than "Some of us aren't paying attention". Immediately we are focusing on doing something well. We are avoiding "not", "don't" and "stop". Instead, we are firmly stating where we want to go. That's why I'm thinking forward to 2021. Framing it positively, I'm looking to do more good actions. I'm not looking back on went wrong, why it went wrong and stopping myself doing what went wrong. MORE
