EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Test the passing, visual and communication skills of players by having two balls being passed at the same time in opposite directions from one end of a grid to the other in order to score a goal.
A 10m square for every four players: Teams of two in each. Stack the squares and have one player from each team at both ends of the grid (picture 1). One end player holds a ball.
The balls are passed in to a team mate and passed from square to square until they reach the other end.
Whoever takes the final pass scores a goal for the team (picture 2).
Opponents can intercept any ball they wish and use it to score, but they can’t leave their own square. Both balls are scoring balls. Picture 3 shows how passes can be varied from square to square.
After every goal, grids shuffle along one to allow everyone a chance to play in the middle where most of the action happens.
The winning team is the one with the most goals at the end of the allotted time.
“Listen and react to a call from a team mate.”
“Look for the best person to pass to under pressure.”
“Move a defender to make a pass.”
This is a pressure passing game that makes a player not only try to evade a defender but also look for another person to pass to very quickly.
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
