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
Hold defenders to retain space for receivers to move into. Here are the key points to fixing defenders which should help young and developing players to improve this skill. Generally, defenders want to chase the ball carrier, but their mind is always on whether to stay on the current ball carrier or move onto potential... MORE
Use this blocked attack game (one team attacks for a period of time) to challenge players to apply the principles of play under pressure. The attacking team get extra “lives” for good support when they score tries. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
During a match, 3 v 2s happen more times than you think. Yet, each situation can be different, with defenders and attackers arriving from different angles and starting close or far apart. You need to challenge yourself to replicate these scenarios in training. MORE
Scenarios offer a great way of engaging your players in games. By putting the players in a specific point of a well known match, they get the opportunity to develop their game management. For younger players, scenarios give them the opportunity to be their favourite players of their favourite teams. For older players, scenarios give them the opportunity to challenge their decision making with regards to the score-line and also how to deal with specific threats or weaknesses in future opposition. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Create situations under pressure where passers and their support players have to run at one angle and then pass at another. Encourage players to attack at pace and find ways to keep the ball moving forward. The support player tracks the ball carrier so they can be ready to take a pass or help the ball carrier if they are tackled. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
One of the most important attacking CORE skills is fixing defenders and passing to space, especially for 3 v 2s. Work on the running and passing skills players need so they become good habits in games. Focus on reasons to pass than just passing – fixing a defender at pace. MORE
