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
In Hard and Fast with the Miss Pass, we set up a “miss pass” training session. The miss pass is a long pass which skips one player, with the missed player drawing a defender in the process. MORE
A hard and fast flat miss pass can cut out defenders before they have a chance to change their running angles. It can lead to clean breaks as your attackers exploit the gaps.
By scanning the line and hitting the ball at an angle towards a space, the ball carrier is going to be almost impossible to stop. MORE
In Minis rugby, especially in the younger age groups, putting together three successive passes in the same play is an outstanding achievement. Here’s how to make it easier. MORE
The clearing pass from a ruck isn’t always made by a scrum half. Every player in your team needs to be able to perform it as it is unrealistic to expect the 9 to be at every breakdown.
This activity is designed to make as many clearing passes as possible to allow you to see everyone’s ability. You then help players improve. MORE
Test out whether support players are in place by having the ball carrier use a “no-look pass”, confident their support will be there and responding only to a call.
The ball carrier passes as normal without looking, responding to a call knowing the support player is in place. This maintains go forward and speed in the attack. MORE
Develop the pop pass to a support player running at pace into space created by the ball carrier. Just before contact, a pass is flicked up off the fingertips to a support runner.
It keeps the ball alive and draws defenders out of position to maintain go forward. MORE
