EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Passing at pace is a real skill and a defence splitter. By teaching players how to do this at a young age you are arming them with an effective weapon they will use for the rest of their rugby lives.
A 50x15m channel with a line of cones 10m from either end. Four players wait at one end (picture 1).
You throw the ball to the nearest player and the four players advance.
The ball must be passed three times (handled by everyone) before the first 10m line of cones is reached. The final player sprints to the far set of cones with the other three in support. Once there, the ball is passed to everyone in the end zone as before and a try is scored (picture 2).
Progress by adding a defender to ensure ball carriers run at space – draw the defender and make a scoring pass (picture 3).
Race teams against each other to find a winner. Also race against the clock to find the quickest team.
“Arms across body when passing to a target given by the receiver, or to an area in front of them while running.”
“Tell the ball carrier where you are – call for the ball.”
Gets players catching and passing while under pressure and looking for support from team mates.
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, U10+
Unless your players get into position quickly, they won’t be able to run onto a pass at speed and attack space. This exercise gets them realigning fast so they can master this challenging skill. MORE
in Attack, Girls/Womens, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Use this introductory exercise to improve depth in realign, and then accurate passing. The random starting points makes the players think more about their roles in relation to the first receiver. MORE
in Attack, Contact, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Use these activities on rotation, spending around 5 minutes on each station, then swapping twice (20 minutes in all). The first works on support roles at the ruck, the second on handling and getting into position to run onto the ball. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Use these breakout exercises to focus on handling decision-making before returning the players to a game. Avoid stopping and starting – just let it run to allow the attackers to find solutions. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Here’s how Mike Hall, formerly head of academy at Bristol, likes to put together an academy session for his U16 players at Bristol. Each session has two themes but we're going to look at one half of it – in this case, moving the ball into space. MORE
Fast and fun, this energetic game originates from India and will develop your players’ footwork, teamwork and contact skills. MORE
