Use this exercise to work on proper passing technique, while keeping the hips square which engages the defenders.
Before setting up the drill, check the players’ understanding of how to hold the ball. The ball is held at about six o’clock if you imagine the ball is on a clock face, with the elbows out. The fingers are down the ball, aiming for 10 points of contact (don’t let the palm touch the ball).
DRILL
Put the players on their knees, one facing up the pitch, and the other down the pitch, about 5m apart. They will be offset, so when they pass, they are passing backwards. Ensure that the inside knee is a little ahead of the outside knee (the knee furthest from the other player).
Have the players pass the ball between each other.
Focus on technique, with each player commenting on how they are doing in terms of matching the technique template.
Keep rotating the position so the players they are passing left-to-right and right-to-left.
DEVELOPMENT
Have the players walking in a line, doing the same, focusing heavily on moving forward straight.
For more Tosh Askew passing exercises, look at these:
Use these two warm-up catching skills activities to develop excellent hand-catch habits. Tosh Askew, a very experienced coach who's worked with elite squads, shows us how to work the basics. MORE
Use this activity to get your players organising themselves on the move and give the outside player room to run. It works on footwork, handling and communication. MORE
A strong, stable scrum provides an excellent platform for attacking play or effectively clearing your lines. Yet training this crucial area is never easy since you may not have all your scrum players available or access to a scrum machine. So, here are some practical solutions to build a stronger scrum. MORE
Build up the techniques for better ball presentation in this ball placement skills zone activity. The players develop their understanding through walking through, then increasing the pressure with defenders. MORE
Building the skills to draw and pass, and for the supporting player to run onto the pass. It starts with the technique of running straight, at speed and passing for a team mate before adding a defender. MORE
Improve your backfield players understanding where to run and how to cover kicks. Help them anticipate where the opposition are likely to kick to ensure they catch the ball on the full. MORE
Before setting up the drill, check the players’ understanding of how to hold the ball. The ball is held at about six o’clock if you imagine the ball is on a clock face, with the elbows out. The fingers are down the ball, aiming for 10 points of contact (don’t let the palm touch the ball).
