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 Attack, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
The fend is controversially illegal up to certain age groups. It is an important attacking weapon though, which can be utilised to beat a player one-on-one or to offload to break through a defensive line. It needs practising, especially so players can use it in games once they’re of age. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Build your team’s offloading skills in a game-related way so the passer and receiver can start to understand their options. We know a simple offloading game can devastate defences. The players need the skills and the confidence to know how to offload and when to offload. MORE
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
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Execute core skills under pressure in a competitive environment where players have to handle and support well when they are tired. This will take time to work. Be patient! MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Develop players who are used to running on to - and delivering - passes at pace. This will leave defenders behind and allow you to make the best use of your line breaks. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Spinning out of a tackle can provide the momentum to break through it and move beyond the defender. Support players need to read the spin and be on hand to take a pass. This session works on both these skills. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
A session ideal for pre-season or in-season if you need to reconnect your players with their handling skills and pace onto the ball. Accurate passing is essential to maintain a flowing attacking move capable of exploiting mismatches and space. Look at the detail as well as the outcomes. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Though we like players to pass on the run, for younger players it’s good if they can run, stop and pass to make sure they keep a move flowing and bring other players into the game. If you want to create a bit of width in your game, use this exercise to create opportunities to move the ball wide. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Practice plans
Passing out of contact can devastate an opposition defence. The receiver can often get behind the defensive line and the ball is kept “clean”. This means that the momentum of continuity is not broken. This session works on your players keeping the ball alive by driving through the tackle, and then passing out of the tackle. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
A fun game which forces players to push their passes hard towards the target, improving their accuracy and pass strength. One group aims to intercept a pass with their own ball (the “skeeter"). This activity encourages hard passes to a target, so will create better passing habits. MORE
