Players: 12 to 24, with 3 to 6 players at each corner of the square.
Run fast hands passing drill
Divide the players into four equal groups and set up each group on one of the corners of the playing area. Give one of the players a ball to start the game.
The players must pass the ball counter clockwise around the playing area, from one corner to the next. Once a player has passed the ball, they follow it to join the back of the group they have thrown to.
If the players are finding this drill too easy, add a second ball. You can also make this rugby drill more of a challenge by asking each passer not to join the next group, but the group after that (the second group round).
If successful, each passer can miss two groups to run round to the third group. Next, ask each passer to try to run round back to their original group.
What to call out in this rugby drill
“Hold the ball in two hands.”
“Keep your head up to see what’s going on.”
“Swing the ball across your body.”
“Make it easy to catch your pass.”
“Receiver: hold your hands up as a target.”
Key rugby coaching tips
Have the players also pass the ball clockwise round the square, so they practise passing to the left and right.
Handling under pressure shows up whether the players have developed good passing habits. This fun game certainly motivates them to concentrate on the best skills to win the race. MORE
U8 MINI-TAG | ATTACKING 2 ACTIVITY: PASS THE PARCEL Split your players into pairs. Put each pair about 1m apart, facing each other with a ball. They should be about 5m from the try line. Start by having the players pass the ball to each other. When you shout “go”, the players with the ball race... MORE
U7 MINI-TAG | HANDLING 1 ACTIVITY: PASSING RACE Spread your players out in a line, standing about 1m apart and slightly staggered. Give a ball to the first player in the line. When you say “go”, the first player passes the ball to the player next to him then races to the far end of... MORE
U7 MINI-TAG | HANDLING 3 ACTIVITY: Passing triangles Split your players into groups of three and give each group a ball. Have them stand 1m away from each other. Get them to pass the ball to the player to their left, so it goes around the triangle six times. Tell the catcher to call for... MORE
A switch or scissors play helps change the angle of attack. Stop the passer tuning out after the play but look for a second touch on the ball. They are often the best-positioned player to take advantage of any break. MORE
A tip pass is a short flat pass where the passer can immediately support the receiver as they go into contact. It can unbalance the defence because of the change of focus and helps dent the defence.
Creating 2 v1 mismatches is just as effective in close as in space. The power of two is a powerful weapon. MORE
Make your switch plays into a support play too, as the passer then turns quickly to be ready to take a pass from the receiver. The receiver “wraps” back to make this work.
A switch play attacks the inside, weak shoulder of a defender. Execute this well as a passer by drawing the defender out of position. Once the pass has gone, get back into the game. MORE
Use great footwork and leg drive to break through defences while ensuring support players are on hand to take a quick pass beyond the initial contact.
Get the ball carrier to run the right angles to attack the gap between defenders, smash through the tackle and then offload to their support players. The support players will learn the best lines to receive the offload. MORE
Use this power pass exercise to work on both passing and passing out of the contact. The variability of how the attacker is held back increases the learning outcomes as players face new passing challenges. MORE
Don’t teach falling over. Teach the players to bounce themselves and therefore the ball off the ground and back into the game. It reduces the fear of falling by making the players embrace the ground as part of a skill for continuity. MORE
