EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Too often young players run out of space when carrying the ball and end up in touch. This game introduces them to a switch pass in a simple way and shows how it opens up play.
Cones A, B, C and D form a 10m square. A player on cone A holds a ball and a player waits on cone B (picture 1).
On your call of “Go!” the player on cone A runs towards cone C. At the same time, the player on cone B runs towards cone D. When player A reaches the middle of the square, he pops a pass to player B who calls for it (picture 2).
When both players have reached their destination cones they turn and go back in the opposite direction. Now the player on cone D has the ball and pops it to the cone C runner who calls for it (picture 3).
Play pairs against each other in a knockout format to find the fastest kriss krossers. Progress by having the ball carrier run at the cone in front then going diagonal to add game realism.
“Loud, effective calls.”
“Run behind the ball carrier to prevent forward or rushed pop passes.”
This gets players not only used to making support runs but also making passes to support players and opening up space.
in Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Ged Hall challenges players to be effective in finding space and passing, either on their feet or from the ground (the deck!). Good for fitness as well as decision-making. Deck hands is seemingly a very simple game to play, but beneath its simple exterior is a game that challenges players physically, mentally, tactically and technically. MORE
Twenty years of writing about coaching makes you reflective. I did use games 20 years ago. I invented some at the time, and still use variations of them. You would think by now I would have seen them all. MORE
in Attack, Passing & Handling, Small-sided games
Keep the players thinking about where to attack as the defence move around dynamically, adding in players as the attack becomes more successful. MORE
in Small-sided games, Warm Ups
Use this quick-to-set-up game, including an easy-to-adapt playground element, with rewards and forfeits thrown in. This is a game I will use at the start of sessions as a pulse raiser, sprint activation and to develop realistic evasion skills. It takes less than a minute to set up and can be played with three or more players. MORE
Use this game and its variation to create opportunities for players to make decisions on when to attack open or go back to the blindside. Create opportunities to stretch the defence and then attack where they are weakest. MORE
Here’s how I set up a game to work through some plays which had been designed to help a team run with either quick ball or slow ball from rucks. MORE
