EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Split your playing group into three teams. Two teams on, one off. Play in a narrow channel, swapping teams when there’s an error or a try.
A great game for younger players because there’s no escape from contact, yet also, no chances to build up speed.
You or the players set out what counts as an error. If a team makes an error, then immediately swap with another group. If you have another coach, they can ask what the players on the sideline might do differently next time.
After a five minutes, mix up the teams again.
With everything close by, it will intense and active. Lots of noise and lots of fun.
in Attack, Rugby drills
Make this 90-minute session part of your pre-season preparations. It develops your players’ phase play in four clear and easy steps – warm-up, technical skills, unit skills and tactics. MORE
in Attack, Rugby drills
Using two lines of attack can create chaos as the opposition struggles to cope with deep-lying attackers running late into gaps. Work on these “hidden threats” with this punchy exercise. Second-line players can choose when and where to enter the front line as it reaches the defensive line. That leaves defenders caught between covering different spaces. MORE
in Attack, Contact, Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
Use these activities on rotation, spending around 5 minutes on each station, then swapping twice (20 minutes in all). The first works on support roles at the ruck, the second on handling and getting into position to run onto the ball. MORE
in Rugby drills, Tackling
Use this exercise after learning some tackle techniques to improve the defender's awareness and resilience in making tackles. There will be misses, nearly tackles and good tackles. Low impact and fun, it's aimed at younger players, but you can certainly use it with all ages. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Small-sided games
Use these breakout exercises to focus on handling decision-making before returning the players to a game. Avoid stopping and starting – just let it run to allow the attackers to find solutions. MORE
in Contact, Core skills, Rucking & Mauling, Rugby drills
Most ball placement drills are carried out without opposition – which isn’t realistic. To ensure your players learn the right shapes, use this low-impact session on the “jack knife” technique. MORE
