EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
1) To avoid passing to a slower player when trying to move the ball wide.
2) To release a move/players further away from the bulk of the opposition defence.
3) To pass to a player who is in space.
4) To stretch a defence, creating gaps to penetrate.
5) Where there is a three attacker on two defenders or two on one situation. A miss pass allows a defender to slide over quicker. This reduces the overload advantage.
6) Receiver runs away from the pass so that the pass dips before it reaches them, or passer does not put the ball in front of the receiver.
7) Missed player does not look like they are going to receive the ball.
8) Receiver running on an outside arc and so exploiting their speed against a slower runner.
9) Receiver receiving a flat pass very late from passer.
10) The length of the pass – does not always need to be a long pass, especially if the receiver is going to crash the ball up. Also does not need to be a spin pass if receiver arrives quite close to the missed player.
11) Passer slows down to pass and turns hips towards receiver.
12) Missed player shouts “convincingly” as if they are going to get the ball. Scott Gibbs, the Wales and Lions centre used to shout, “Don’t waste me” as the ball went in front of him.
13) Missed player runs towards the pass, which helps reveal the receiver as well as interesting the defence.
14) The missed player claps their hands as the ball goes past them. Might just convince the defence that he has received it, but certainly keeps the missed players hands up in position as if he is going to receive it.
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
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
in Contact, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
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
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
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
in Contact, Passing & Handling
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
