EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Acceleration
Reactions
Feints
“One player goads another, then touches the line and races to the other end to avoid being touched by the chaser. It’s a like smaller version of the Bangladeshi game of Kabaddi”
A 10m by 5m box, with a line (from a normal pitch perhaps) about 2m from one end.
Put a “goader” just in front of a line about 2m from the chaser.
When the goader puts their foot on the line, the chaser is allowed to come off the line.
The chaser aims to touch the goader before they reach the line 8m behind them.
You can add in rules where if the chaser steps forward too soon, they have to take a step back.
Give the goader 15 seconds before their attempt is over.
Have two chasers.
The “goader” has a ball.
The goader can set the distance away the chaser starts. The closer, the more points they get.
Though it’s one v one, it’s such a fast game that you can run through lots of goes quickly. An “audience” adds a frisson to the occasion and should be very noisy.
in Contact, Footwork and evasion
Improve your players’ footwork before contact and how they protect the ball, so they retain possession. An excellent breakout exercise during a normal session. The attacker should dominate any contact whether to offload or wait for support. MORE
in Rugby coaching, Rugby drills
Have another coach watch you coach to power up your own coaching. Give them a clear agenda to help make the process focused, less invasive and ultimately positive. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills
There are times when you want maximum participation for a small unit skill. Here, you can use lots of small boxes to play fixing games with 2 v 1 situations. You can move easily around the boxes, observing and feeding back. MORE
in Contact, Rugby drills
To create continuity, your players need to understand their support roles. They also need to practise being innovative when it goes wrong. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Chase down your kicking bombs with an organised line of players. The better the chase, the more chance of stealing the ball. Help your players know their roles. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
If your high-ball receivers can get off the ground to catch the ball, they are protected from being smashed backwards by the opposition chasers. Help them develop the skills and timing with this session. MORE
