Clearance passes

U10 | HANDLING 8

Get your players working on the skills and timing needed for a clearance pass

1. Set out three ruck pads, each with a ball alongside. The pads should be 3m apart and staggered by 2m. Put a cone 5m from the end of each ruck pad (so there are three cones, which are also staggered). Mark an end line beyond the last ruck pad and cone.
2. Put a clearing passer 1m back from the first ball and three receivers standing in a line 5m away, each in line with one of the cones.

3. When you say “go”, the clearing passer moves to the first pad and passes to the first receiver who runs to his cone, takes the pass and sprints to the end. The clearer then moves to the second pad and passes to the second receiver and then to the third.
4. All the players then jog back to the start, replacing the balls as they go, then move round one place. Once everyone has had a go, swap ends, so the passers can try passing off the other hand.
5. Develop by playing a game of 6v6 (or equal sides) touch rugby. When a player is touched, he puts the ball through his legs and his nearest team mate must make a clearance pass.

You will need

• 3 balls
• Cones
• 3 ruck pads

Got more players?

Set up more drills alongside – if you don’t have enough ruck pads, use cones instead.

What to tell your players

“Stay low over the ball”
“Point foot towards your target”
“Follow through with your hands”