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.
The worst of times
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.
Common mistakes in the execution of the pass
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.
Think about getting more from your miss passes
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.
Top miss pass tips
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.
A good catch starts the whole movement for a better pass. It creates time on the ball, which means the ball carrier can pass more accurately and, if necessary, more quickly. Here’s a individual training idea you can encourage your players to use away from your sessions. MORE
The miss pass has been used extremely effectively in the Six Nations to score some great tries. Yet it’s also so tempting to use at the wrong times by simply shifting the ball wide without fixing defenders. Avoid this sin with these ideas… MORE
The miss pass has been used extremely effectively in the top pro-games to score some great tries. Yet it’s also so tempting to use at the wrong times by simply shifting the ball wide without fixing defenders. Avoid this sin with these ideas… The miss pass is a much-maligned skill. It’s not just a long... MORE
The miss pass is frequently misused. When executed at the right time, it releases attackers but too often allows defenders to drift out and push the attack towards touch. Use this session to develop better decisions.
Focus with your players on when to use the miss pass as much as how to execute it. MORE
