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
Build your team’s offloading skills in a game-related way so the passer and receiver can start to understand their options.
We know a simple offloading game can devastate defences. The players need the skills and the confidence to know how to offload and when to offload. MORE
Execute core skills under pressure in a competitive environment where players have to handle and support well when they are tired.
This will take time to work. Be patient! MORE
A session ideal for pre-season or in-season if you need to reconnect your players with their handling skills and pace onto the ball.
Accurate passing is essential to maintain a flowing attacking move capable of exploiting mismatches and space. Look at the detail as well as the outcomes.
MORE
Though we like players to pass on the run, for younger players it’s good if they can run, stop and pass to make sure they keep a move flowing and bring other players into the game.
If you want to create a bit of width in your game, use this exercise to create opportunities to move the ball wide. MORE
A fun game which forces players to push their passes hard towards the target, improving their accuracy and pass strength. One group aims to intercept a pass with their own ball (the “skeeter").
This activity encourages hard passes to a target, so will create better passing habits.
MORE
Develop running angles and passing at pace, with a try after three passes as the goal.
Passing “chains” rarely run in straight lines. A series of passes might have players attacking from different angles. They require different types of pass. MORE
