Knee-sy does it

Often players get into bad passing habits by using their whole body rather than just their core – this game only permits passing from the upper body, arms and core to guarantee accuracy.

Set-up

A passer kneeling on the try line with five balls close by. Five receivers kneeling in a semi-circle 2m from the passer (picture 1).

Set up as many sets of six as you like.

The rules

On your call of “Go!”, a ball is passed to each of the five players in turn.

Each ball must be placed on the right hip to encourage passing from this side. When a player catches the ball, it is returned to the passer from the right hip.

Repeat but next time pass off the left hip. The game ends when every players has received the ball twice.

Scoring

• Five returned passes off the right hip followed by five off the left hip. Only accurate return passes count.
• First team to make 10 correct passes wins.

Tell them

“Point arms at the target after releasing the ball. Pass across your body.”

“Receivers: Give a target area to catch the ball – hands up in W-shape.”

“Pass off the hip.”

Coaching tips

Young players tend to move their whole body towards the target when passing.

This game stops any movement of the legs and simply works on upper-body passing technique.