EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
A simple game that makes your players think about who they are going to pass to – and where – after getting into position and attacking with a four-man overload.
A coned 40 x 20m channel with four players touching each of the tackle tubes A, B, C and D. A ball is placed on both sides of the channel.
To start, players walk around their tube with one hand always touching it (picture 1). When you call a letter, (in our example “A”) those players sit on that tube (picture 2).
Then the 8 players on one side of the channel attack the four on the other after picking up the nearest ball. Give them five seconds to score a try (picture 3). Use touch-tackling or full tackling. The defenders can run to their own try line before defending if you want to give the attackers more chance to score.
“Read the defence and give helpful information to the ball carrier.”
“Look at the defence and make a judgement on what you are going to do early.”
“Make crisp passes listening to team mates’ calls.”
Players coming from different directions in both attack and defence is something players who transition from minis to youth rugby have to become used to. This game helps with that transition.
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Use this power pass exercise to work on both passing and passing out of the contact. The variability of how the attacker is held back increases the learning outcomes as players face new passing challenges. MORE
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
“The supporting player starts in front of the ball carrier, while the defender has his back to the attack. When you shout play, with the supporting player walking forward and the defender out of position, the players will have to think quickly to come up with winning solutions.” MORE
Change your try lines so they extend up the edges of the pitch to create a new sort of challenge for the players. The initial outcomes may seem strange, yet you may find the longer-term benefits help your team’s go forward. MORE
in Footwork and evasion, Small-sided games
A ball carrier races into the channel and then turns to beat a chasing defender to the end of the channel 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
