EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
When it comes to coaching fundamentals, you don’t get much more fundamental than passing. Players aren’t all blessed with lightning pace or accurate kicking skills, but every player should be able to pass. The passing drills and handling activities in this section provide countless ways to improve your players passing and handling skills.
in Contact, Passing & Handling
Don’t teach falling over. Teach the players to bounce themselves and therefore the ball off the ground and back into the game. It reduces the fear of falling by making the players embrace the ground as part of a skill for continuity. 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
in Footwork and evasion, Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
A player races out to pick up a ball cleanly and then win the race to the far line. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Passing moves the ball to a player in a better position. Passes can also be used to manipulate the defence. A wide pass followed by a short pass back the other way is a surprisingly easy way to create gaps in the defence. Two backs could put a strong running forward into a gap, reducing the need for that forward to pass the ball. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
A good catch starts the whole movement for a better pass. It creates time on the ball, which means the ball carrier can pass more accurately and, if necessary, more quickly. Here’s a individual training idea you can encourage your players to use away from your sessions. MORE
The miss pass has been used extremely effectively in the Six Nations to score some great tries. Yet it’s also so tempting to use at the wrong times by simply shifting the ball wide without fixing defenders. Avoid this sin with these ideas… MORE
The miss pass has been used extremely effectively in the top pro-games to score some great tries. Yet it’s also so tempting to use at the wrong times by simply shifting the ball wide without fixing defenders. Avoid this sin with these ideas… The miss pass is a much-maligned skill. It’s not just a long... MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
The miss pass is frequently misused. When executed at the right time, it releases attackers but too often allows defenders to drift out and push the attack towards touch. Use this session to develop better decisions. Focus with your players on when to use the miss pass as much as how to execute it. MORE
Make your players better handlers by focusing on the speed of pass. This will unlock defences as the ball will always beat the player. MORE
Every player should have their own rugby ball and keep it at home. Now make sure they use it too. Here are five simple exercises for your players to work on at home to improve their ball skills and coordination. MORE
