Build up the kick off reception skills to ensure you secure the ball, and then develop the initial support skills to play from that receipt.
Two players
Throw the ball over the posts to force a drop in the coned square. Develop with the catcher must jump for the ball
Three players
Add in a chaser, who starts level with the post. If the ball is dropped, the dropper becomes the new chaser
Four players
Add in a support player
Five/six players
One or two chasers aim to disrupt the catch and pass
Seven + players
Have four receivers and two + chasers
Throw or kick the ball
Scoring system
Secure the ball (1 point)
Secure and pass/kick (2 points)
Secure and run and go beyond front cones (chaser’s starting point) (4 points)
Secure and run and go beyond back cones (10m line) (3 points)
HOW TO DO IT
TWO PLAYERS
Mark out two 5m boxes next to a set of rugby posts (see top picture).
Playing 1 v 1, the players aim to force an error from the catch by throwing the ball over the posts and into the box. No scores if the ball lands outside the box.
Develop by making the receiving player jump for the ball. Also, try to get the throw to glance the ball off the upright post to create more difficulty. The receiver gets a bonus if they can catch that.
THREE PLAYERS
As above, but an additional player chases the throw. They must start level with the post. They aim to disrupt the catcher.
The catcher remains the catcher if they make a catcher. Otherwise they become the next chaser.
FOUR PLAYERS
The players now work in pairs and the chaser disrupts the catch.
The catcher aims to catch and pass to a supporting player.
FIVE/SIX PLAYERS
Move away from the posts. A kicker (or thrower) aims to land the ball into two boxes, see middle picture.
Start with one chaser and three receivers, who aim to secure the ball.
Swap where the incoming kick/throw is coming from. Add another chaser to progress.
SEVEN+ PLAYERS
Have four receivers and two chasers and a kicker.
Give the receivers targets:
Secure the ball (1 point)
Secure and pass/kick (2 points)
Secure and run and go beyond chasers’ starting point (4 points)
Secure and run and go beyond the 10m cones (3 points)
Add in chasers, up to four.
TECHNIQUE
Make a clear call – to ensure that there’s only one player going for the ball.
Focus on one point on the ball.
Hands out, fingers spread.
Turn the body, though for a kick off, this tends to be infield.
"With the return to rugby, I’m really worried that my team (U13s) will have forgotten lots of things about rugby. In particular, I’m trying to work out when and how to introduce contact and tackling."
This question came from a coach in Gloucester and is typical of lots of concerns around this area of the game.
It is true that the players will have "forgotten" lots of skills.
Here's how I would approach this situation. On the next page are two tackling exercises to support training.
MORE
Improve your players’ awareness of how to move together as a defensive line.
A defensive line needs to know who’s covering who and then double up if they can to make a tackle. MORE
Make sure your players use the right footwork to power through the contact area and then manipulate the ball so they can offload or present the ball cleanly.
Though power and aggression are important in the contact area, the ball carrier also needs to be technically accurate to ensure good continuity. MORE
Work on good setups and movement, jumping and organisation in your lineout pods with this dynamic activity. It should mix up roles of your players.
Let players try out different roles, even if it’s not perfect. That allows players to realise what works for all those involved in the lineout lift and jump. MORE
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
This session will help players highlight their core skills under pressure. It works especially on short passes when the ball carrier is running “offline”.
Offline means the passer is either running towards the intended receiver or away. MORE