Get your players used to taking a high ball and then running forward
Set out a 15m x 10m area. Put a ruck pad holder in the middle and another ruck pad holder at the end. Line up players on the front end of the area facing the ruck pad holders and place a feeder to the side.
When you say “go”, the first player comes forward, the feeder throws a ball up into the air and the first player and the ruck pad holder challenge for the ball.
Once a catch has been made (or the ball recovered from the ground), the ball carrier runs forward and aims to beat the other ruck pad holder with minimum contact.
Develop by increasing the height of the throw, removing one or both of the ruck pads so it is semi-contact.
You will need
A 15m x 10m area
Balls
Cones
2 ruck pads
Got more players?
Line up lots of players and keep the catches coming. Remember to rotate the players.
What to tell your players
“Jump into the catch”
“Challenge the ruck pad holder”
“Hit the ground running”
Stuart Alred from the School of Kicking shows us the ideal position to start the running drop punt to make sure we engage the most powerful leg muscles. MORE
This simple session helps players discover ways to return kicks with good angles, passing and communication. It’s very open and allows players the chance to experiment as well as build up a repertoire of plays. MORE
Stop the high ball “bombs” destroying the confidence of your players by creating training sessions that challenge the players to think under pressure.
One reason why players drop “high balls” is because they have so much time to think about them. They tense up at the prospect of dropping the catch. Experts seem at ease in comparison. And that probably explains why they seem to catch the most difficult kicks more often. MORE
This session works on developing running and passing skills against different defences. Players should run angles at a defensive overload and straight lines if they have an overlap. MORE
All players may need to catch a high ball - forwards from kick-offs, backs from open play. The principles of “fielding” include being aware of your support players and thinking about what to do next. This session builds on those principles. MORE